Vodafone/Three merger: when will a joint network happen?

The Three and Vodafone merger is now complete

Three and Vodafone are two main UK operators that have agreed to merge into one company. This has long been on the cards but was only officially completed in May 2025. They’re now one company.

Down the line, this will mean that they combine the two physical mobile networks (see our benefits of the merger section here). Though, we’d say this is a complicated process that may not happen fully immediately.

Best SIM only deals on Three and Vodafone

As two very well known brands, they won't be getting rid of Vodafone or Three. But we can see the new company operating each differently. Perhaps Vodafone will be premium, while Three focuses on extra value.

In theory, the merger will create a very large company to compete more with EE and O2. But it could also be bad for competition (see our downsides section). This guide discusses the pros and cons of the merger.

Useful link: Read Vodafone and Three’s guide to their merger

Coverage will improve on both networks

The most obvious benefit will be coverage improvements. Customers on each will shortly be able to "roam" on the other. That means notspots on one could be filled by the other. Eventually, the network will be fully merged.

For 4G, this should result in the Vodafone/Three being the largest, most comprehensive network for coverage - ahead of EE and O2. It should hopefully also trigger a “space race” with EE/O2 to grow their networks.

Best current SIM only plans on Three and Vodafone

5G will be a similar story. We sensed that Vodafone had slowed their 5G rollout down, ahead of the merger. Three have expanded 5G much more. Customers of both networks will get better 5G.

And in the places where coverage overlaps on Vodafone and Three, we can see big improvements to capacity. It means more people will be able to connect at once, without the quality of their signal deteriorating.

Useful link: See Three’s coverage map | See Vodafone’s coverage map

Data speeds will also get faster with a shared network

Another big benefit of the merger will be to the networks’ data speeds. Three and Vodafone already have the joint second fastest typical 4G and Three have by far the fastest 5G speeds with the highest bandwidth.

In areas where the two overlap, combining networks will mean much greater bandwidth. That allows more people to use 4G/5G at the same time, without it slowing down. It will boost typical speeds overall.

Best SIM only plans currently on Vodafone and Three

The merged company also plan to make massive investments into their network, which they will name The Nation's Network. Technology like "standalone 5G" will make great leaps in speed too.

VodafoneThree optimistically predict up to a 6x improvement to average speeds, which is very ambitious. As with coverage, this aggressive plan should jolt O2 and EE into investing in their data speeds too.

Useful link: Read how the merger will improve data speeds

Now could be the moment to join Three or virtual operators

If you’ve ever held off joining Three or one of the virtual operators that use them, because you’ve been worried their network wasn’t big enough, now could be one of the best times to join.

You can bag their better prices in the knowledge you’ll eventually also get coverage from Vodafone. We don’t have any guarantees of when that will be but combining networks will definitely happen.

Three and SMARTY’s best current offers

The same applies if there’s a VOXI or Talkmobile deal you’ve got your eye on - on Vodafone’s network. You will start to benefit from Three’s leading 5G data speeds at some point, so could join now.

Best Talkmobile and VOXI offers

Joining either now, you know you will benefit from booths strengths and weaknesses.

Useful link: See all of SMARTY’s SIM only deals

It could lead to higher prices in future

For the time being, both networks are saying that prices will not increase as a result. And the UK government regulator allowed the merger to go ahead, meaning they believe there will be sufficient competition still.

But we can’t really see how this won’t lead to increased prices. Yes, there will be efficiencies the two can make by combining operations in the background. However, they will want to see a return on network investments.

Also, this brings VOXI, Talkmobile and SMARTY under the same roof. These are all value drivers who keep UK mobile deal prices down. It remains to be seen if they will continue to do so.

Best current SIM only plans on Three and Vodafone

It may end up that Three continue to exist as a cheaper alternative with Vodafone being the premium brand. We won’t know until the merger actually happens, but it is something worth bearing in mind until then.

Useful link: Compare prices using our SIMO comparison tool