Just over a year after we announced our intention to merge Vodafone UK and Three UK, I am pleased that we have taken a big step forward today by agreeing with Virgin Media O2 to extend our long-term network sharing agreement. If the merger is approved, Three UK will add its sites to this agreement and VMO2 has agreed to acquire a percentage of mobile spectrum from the new MergeCo. With this agreement and our merger with Three, we will transform the mobile experience for over 50 million customers in the UK, providing significant network improvements including better quality and greater coverage across the country for both retail and wholesale customers. The merger will boost competition and level the playing field by establishing a strong third player in the UK mobile market.
And yet none of the big network providers can be bothered to try and roll out decent coverage to rural areas. All this hype about great mobile and data for 50 million just excludes 15-20% of the population. And just as an aside, the Vodafone website is the worst customer experience I have ever had. Invest some of your cash in that.
That's a significant development in the UK mobile market! Could you elaborate on how the extended network sharing agreement with Virgin Media O2 and the merger with Three UK will specifically enhance network quality and coverage for both retail and wholesale customers? What are the anticipated benefits in terms of competition and consumer experience once the merger is approved?
Smart move to keep other players out, cut costs by reducing the workforce and eliminating duplicate networks for same covered areas. Well done.
Best of luck!
Well done .! What will be the impact on the VF 3Uk merger ! Will this mean more jobs lost. Or is their an expected outcome on the merger to keep the delivery of services going trickling or will we see an improvement in spend!
Makes sense from a merger approval perspective. Extra spectrum for an existing player is more likely to be fully utilised for the benefit of customer than if it was handed to a fragile new entrant…. Hope the CMA sees it that way!
Impressive growth!
If this brings genuine improved performance in rural Britain then 👍. If not; Why Bother?
Director | NED | Commercial strategy & Transformation
2moDear Ahmed, let's not forget that Vodafone was once the largest provider by revenue in the UK, whittled away by successive poor management and wasted opportunities, now forced into a sordid merger with Three (a business that was historically laughed at), so really nothing to congratulate whatsoever. Question: has the UK Government not raised security concerns that Vodafone - a provider of strategic communications - being merged with a company that is owned by someone with close ties to the CCP?