Vodafone, Three Complete £15bn Merger Creating UK’s Largest Mobile Network

Vodafone and Three have completed a £15-16.5 billion merger, creating VodafoneThree, the UK's largest mobile network operator with around 27 million customers. VodafoneThree plans to invest £11 billion over the next decade to build one of Europe's most advanced 5G networks, including £1.3 billion in the first year, fulfilling commitments made to secure regulatory approval. The Competition and Markets Authority approved the deal after the companies agreed to cap prices on basic mobile plans for three years and offer wholesale services at preset terms to virtual network providers. Vodafone holds a 51% stake with an option to buy the remaining 49% from CK Hutchison after three years, and Vodafone UK CEO Max Taylor leads the new company. While critics have raised concerns about reduced competition potentially impacting prices and service quality, Vodafone's CEO Margherita Della Valle emphasized the merger's role in transforming the UK's digital infrastructure and positioning it at the forefront of European connectivity. The merger concludes a two-year process marked by regulatory scrutiny and national security reviews.