Vodafone is taking full control over VodafoneThree, the joint firm formed last year with the Three network, after Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison agreed to sell its 49% share.
VodafoneThree was formed in June 2025 after a lengthy two-year investigation process by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
The combined business hosts more than 27 million users, making it Britain’s biggest network and reducing the number of competing companies in the sector from four to three.
The CMA only approved the merger after a series of legally-binding commitments were made. These included spending £11bn on upgrading their combined network, and committing to pre-agreed prices and contract terms to ensure that mobile virtual network operators such as Sky Mobile, Lyca and Lebara could continue to obtain competitive wholesale deals for network access.
CK said it agreed to sell its minority share in the firm as part of efforts to reshape its business model to boost shareholder returns.
Its involvement...