- Eight-year partnership agreed
- Ericsson 5G Standalone technology to provide VodafoneThree with a programmable network
- Ericsson connectivity to cover London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast
Ericsson is to power the majority of UK communications service provider (CSP) VodafoneThree’s next-generation mobile network – including the entire core network – in an SEK 12.5 billion (equivalent to almost GBP £1 billion, as of September 2025 exchange rates) with an eight-year partnership agreement, as the CSP delivers one of Europe’s largest network consolidation initiatives.
In addition to securing sole UK nationwide core network vendor status, Ericsson Radio System products and software solutions will also power a significant majority of the enhanced VodafoneThree radio network.
The primary vendor partnership will see the deployment of Ericsson 5G Standalone (5G SA) network hardware, software and solutions. In addition to serving a significant proportion of its mobile broadband customer base (currently almost 29 million customers), Ericsson 5G SA’s capabilities will enable VodafoneThree to drive national UK digitalisation through differentiated connectivity for enterprise and industry using AI, automation, and virtual/augmented reality.
Börje Ekholm, President and CEO, Ericsson, says: “Trusted high-performing programmable networks are critical to success in the digital economy. AI, automation and virtual/augmented reality won’t reach their potential without them. We are proud to partner with VodafoneThree as their primary vendor to power them with the most advanced programmable network products, software, and solutions in the world.”
Ericsson radio and core connectivity will exclusively cover the four UK capital cities – London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast – and other major population centres including Leeds, Sheffield, Bristol, Aberdeen, Hull and Bournemouth. The first deployments are set to get underway soon. VodafoneThree aims to provide 99.95 5G SA population coverage across the UK by 2034.
Max Taylor, CEO, VodafoneThree, said: “We said we would deliver at pace and, just a few months in, we are delighted to be working with trusted strategic partners such as Ericsson, to deliver our ambition of building the UK’s best network. They bring the scale and expertise needed to accelerate the delivery of a resilient, secure, world-class and future-ready network, and together, we are laying the foundations for the UK’s digital future.”
Partnership product and solution breakdown
New Ericsson 5G RAN products will be introduced into the VodafoneThree network, comprising compact, AI and energy-optimised radio hardware; smart multi-band antennas; and energy-efficient basebands. This is aimed at providing VodafoneThree’s customers with significantly enhanced data speeds and seamless connectivity across the UK’s diverse geography.
Ericsson will deploy 5G Core, infrastructure and voice capabilities UK nationwide (through the Ericsson dual-mode 5G Core solution, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), and Ericsson Cloud Native Infrastructure Solution), providing capacity to handle rapid growth in data usage. Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core and 5G Advanced capabilities will provide the foundation for VodafoneThree to evolve its network towards differentiated connectivity.
