MILLIONS of Vodafone and Three customers have received a mega mobile speed upgrade – at no extra cost to them.
In a recent update, Vodafone Three says it’s boosted coverage by upgrading over 600 mast sites in the UK.
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Mega Mobile speed upgrade
Mobile operator VodafoneThree (Vodafone and Three UK) is allowing 27 million customers to roam across both networks at no extra cost.
Customers’ devices will automatically connect to the best coverage available – whether that’s on the Vodafone or Three network.
The aim is to deliver improved coverage, reliability, and speed when using 4G and 5G.
The rollout of this ‘Multi-Operator Core Network’ technology is being hailed as an early benefit of the two networks’ recent merger and will be live in over 9,000 sites by the end of this year.
However, some 7 million Three UK customers are already said to be experiencing an average 20% boost in 4G speeds.
Rising to 40% in some key towns and cities, thanks to the integration of combined spectrum reports ISPreview.
Andrea Donà, Chief Network Officer, VodafoneThree, said: ”Bringing our networks together marks a major milestone for VodafoneThree, unlocking greater capacity, reducing 4G not spots, and expanding 5G coverage.
“Just weeks into the rollout, millions of customers are already seeing the benefits of a nationwide boost.
“Powered by our spectrum integration and Multi-Operator Core Network technology.
“It’s a clear signal of VodafoneThree’s ambition and ability to move at pace to deliver a new era of connectivity.”
The biggest UK mobile network
Back in June, Vodafone completed its £15billion mega-merger with rival Three UK and pledged to invest billions in infrastructure.
The newly-created joint business VodafoneThree said the deal would create a “new force in UK mobile”.
It is now the biggest mobile phone network in the UK with around 27million customers.
But the deal cuts the UK’s four main network operators down to just three, with the new joint business competing with BT/EE and Virgin Media O2.
The tie-up was first announced in 2023 but faced a probe by the competition watchdog, which was worried about the negative effect on consumers.
The Competition and Markets Authority feared it could substantially reduce options for mobile customers and lead to higher bills.
The CMA gave the thumbs up in December, as long as the two firms agreed to invest billions of pounds to roll out a combined 5G network across the UK.
They were also told to offer shorter-term customer protections requiring the merged company to cap certain mobile tariffs for three years.
Solving Mobile complaints quickly
From last month, customers have been able to take advantage of a new “Just Ask Once” promise which aims to solve complaints quickly.
As part of the service, users will be able to message with a customer service member through the Vodafone app.
The move aims to speed up how customers’ problems are handled and cut down the time users are placed on hold.
Only Vodafone customers will be able to use the service.
Customers will be able to message with the person handling their complaint directly and will receive regular message updates until the issue is resolved.
Mobile and broadband users facing problems will also only have to deal with one staff member handling their complaint.
The mobile and broadband giant said if the issue isn’t resolved to the customers’ satisfaction, they will be able to “simply part ways without penalty”.
However, it stressed this only applies to “genuine” issues that aren’t resolved – not any problems that aren’t solved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Typically, customers are charged an exit fee if they wish to end their contract early, even if they are unhappy with the service.
