VodafoneThree commits £11bn to bring 5G to every corner of the UK by 2034
VodafoneThree, the newly merged telecoms giant formed from Vodafone UK and Three, has unveiled plans to invest £11 billion in a nationwide rollout of standalone 5G and ultra-fast broadband, with the aim of reaching 99.95% of the UK population by 2034.
VodafoneThree Goes Big: An 11 billion‑pound Vision for the UK
With a splash of quick‑silver money, VodafoneThree is set to power the UK into a fully connected, lightning‑fast future. The company says the update will erase 16,500 km² of the dreaded “no‑spot” maze by year’s end, finally connecting the last slice of Britain that’s been waving a “connect me” banner in an empty sky.
Why an 11 billion‑pound Expenditure?
- Boost coverage everywhere
- Raise performance and speed to world‑class levels
- Lay groundwork for low‑latency must‑haves – IoT, augmented reality, autonomous vehicles and more
CEO Max Taylor pointed out that the UK has been a bit of a laggard compared to its G7 peers, with the slowest average 5G speeds floating in 2023 Open Signal data. “It’s long overdue,” Taylor said, highlighting the £11 billion “welcome‑back” to the tech playground that unlocks the full economic potential of next‑gen connectivity.
Fibre‑Like Broadband for Every Home?
VodafoneThree is blending its own 5G and fibre fleets with key partners – Openreach, CityFibre, and a fresh London partnership with Community Fibre – to push “fibre or fibre‑like” speeds across the nation. While full‑fibre might still be a dream in some remote corners, fixed‑wireless access will bridge the gaps, turning abandoned “not‑spot” riddles into blazing internet.
The Merger That Made History
End of June, Vodafone and Three completed a £16.5 billion wedding that hopes to set a precedent for telecom consolidation across Europe. Fewer players equals bigger, smarter investments and faster rollouts – an essential recipe for sustainable growth.
Beyond the merger, Taylor is keen on cross‑selling: bundling mobile and broadband to tap the 27 million‑strong mobile customer base. TalkTalk’s name? “We’re not eyeing it right now,” Taylor smiled, covering the market landscape with a clear focus on organic growth.
Job Creation: 9,000 Jobs a Year!
- Projected average of 9,000 jobs annually over the next eight years
- 400 extra roles at new customer‑service hubs in Belfast and Sheffield
- Some duplication at headquarters – inevitable when two giants fuse together
The ripple effect promises a new wave of productivity, remote work support, and next‑level smart‑city tech. The telecom sector – once stagnant, price‑heavy, and budget‑hogging – now looks set to sparkle again.
Promises and 5G Reality
Vodafone’s Margherita Della Valle has sold down foreign operations to raise €12 bn, a clear booster for the group’s broader strategy. Taylor calls 5G a potential revolution, but he admits the biggest hurdle is proving its worth to customers: “People need to see the value – a sustainable premium for tangible benefits.”
With a robust mix of fibre, mobile, and fresh partnerships, VodafoneThree is ready to create a UK that thrives on global‑grade connectivity. The numbers and plans speak for themselves – the rest is the excitement of watching a transformed, high‑speed nation come to life.
