In a landmark move reshaping the British telecom landscape, Vodafone UK and Three UK have officially merged as of May 31, 2025. The new joint venture, now called VodafoneThree, will see Vodafone holding a 51 percent controlling interest. This union is set to bring transformative improvements to mobile networks across the United Kingdom.
The announcement was shared on the social platform X, where Vodafone stated, “We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the merger of @VodafoneUK and @ThreeUK.” The aim of the partnership, they shared, is to “deliver a vastly superior mobile experience for millions of customers and businesses up and down the country.”
Vodafone Group Plc and CK Hutchison Group Telecom Holdings Limited further revealed in a statement dated June 2, 2025, that VodafoneThree plans to inject £11 billion into the UK over the next decade. A major portion, around £1.3 billion, is earmarked for capital expenditures, mainly to fast-track 5G network deployment.
Max Taylor, currently leading Vodafone UK, will now guide VodafoneThree as Chief Executive Officer. Darren Purkis, previously with Three UK, steps in as Chief Financial Officer. Financially, Vodafone will consolidate the new entity into its results, and the venture is expected to yield £700 million in annual synergies within five years, significantly boosting free cash flow from the fiscal year 2029.
This high-stakes merger was originally proposed in June 2023 and later secured a green light from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority on December 5, 2024. The regulator shared via X, “We’ve cleared Vodafone’s merger with Three, subject to the companies agreeing to legally binding commitments, including to invest billions in rolling out a combined 5G network across the UK.”
Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group’s Chief Executive, reflected on the milestone saying, “The merger will create a new force in UK mobile, transform the country’s digital infrastructure and propel the UK to the forefront of European connectivity.”
Canning Fok, Deputy Chairman of CK Hutchison, echoed the sentiment, calling the deal a key to unlocking future readiness. “This transaction unlocks significant shareholder value, returning approximately £1.3 billion in net cash to the Group,” he shared.
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