Vodafone and Three UK Merge to Form UK's Largest Mobile Operator

The merger between Vodafone and Three UK, valued at £16.5 billion, has been approved by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The combined entity now holds a 35% market share, surpassing competitors O2 and EE. This consolidation is expected to enhance network efficiency and customer experience.

As part of the merger agreement, the new entity has pledged to invest £11 billion in developing 5G infrastructure across the UK over the next ten years. This investment aims to provide standalone 5G coverage to 99% of the UK population by 2030, supporting the country's digital transformation goals.

The CMA's approval came with conditions to protect consumers, including commitments to cap certain mobile tariffs and maintain preset contractual terms for mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) for three years. These measures aim to ensure fair competition and prevent price hikes.