Jack Loughran Mon 11 Aug 2025
Collected at: https://eandt.theiet.org/2025/08/11/vodafonethree-ramps-mobile-network-integration-o2-issues-final-countdown-2g-and-3g
VodafoneThree has said it is ramping up the integration of its two separate mobile networks, with customers of both now able to use combined infrastructure across 600 sites.
In June, Vodafone and Three finally completed their long-mooted merger two years after initial proposals triggered a lengthy investigation by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority.
As part of the deal, the firms agreed to invest £11bn in new infrastructure over the next 10 years and combine their mobile networks so that customers could roam across both.
VodafoneThree said it plans to integrate a further 9,000 sites into the joint network by the end of the year in a bid to eliminate 4G ‘not spots’ and expand 5G coverage. The end result is that customers’ devices will automatically connect to the best coverage available – whether that is on the Vodafone or Three network.
Engineers supervising the roll-out are using a carefully weighted set of criteria to manage capacity and maximise customer benefits without having an impact on the existing service.
The first stages of the technology are being activated remotely to enable faster deployment across the network.
The firm claims that 7 million Three customers are already experiencing an average 20% boost in 4G speeds, and 40% in some key towns and cities, thanks to the integration of combined spectrum. Particular improvements should be seen at times of peak usage such as rush hour, which can strain mobile networks.
Meanwhile, O2 has issued a warning to customers still roaming on its 2G and 3G networks that they will need to transition to 4G and 5G ahead of the complete phase-out of 3G by the end of the year.
Networks are phasing out 3G to free up spectrum for faster, more efficient 4G and 5G networks, which are in higher demand for data-intensive services and applications. Vodafone and EE completed their 3G switch-off in early 2024. While Three still has a small number of 3G sites operational, most were also shut down last year.
O2 has warned that it is still seeing roaming traffic on its older networks just months before they are due to be shuttered. Roaming onto O2’s network can only be provided by other network operators, which means that in most cases it cannot identify or contact organisations that still rely on these services.
While its 2G network will remain operational in order to support legacy devices such as energy meters and IoT devices, the roaming features will be disabled.
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