VodafoneThree has announced significant advancements in its mission to enhance mobile connectivity across the UK, claiming to have eradicated 16,500 km² of “not spots”—areas previously lacking adequate mobile service. The company is committed to achieving 99% 5G Standalone population coverage by 2030, with a further goal of 99.96% coverage by 2034. To support this ambitious initiative, VodafoneThree has pledged an investment of £11 billion.
Economic Impact of Enhanced Connectivity
The improvements in mobile coverage are attributed to the implementation of the Multi Operator Core Network (MOCN) technology, which has been deployed across more than 8,000 sites nationwide. This technology enables both Vodafone and Three customers to access the best available coverage without incurring additional costs. Alongside this announcement, new research conducted by VodafoneThree highlights the potential economic benefits of enhanced mobile connectivity for UK businesses.
According to the study, improving mobile connectivity could result in an annual economic boost of £6.6 billion after a decade, potentially leading to the creation of tens of thousands of new businesses. The research surveyed 2,000 individuals, including both current and aspiring business owners. The findings revealed that a significant majority—nearly two-thirds (62%)—of potential entrepreneurs felt that unreliable mobile signals had deterred them from launching businesses in their local areas. Furthermore, a third (33%) believed that better mobile connectivity would make their regions more appealing for business ventures, while 26% stated that it would directly influence their decision to establish companies locally.
Statements from Leadership
Nick Gliddon, Business Director at VodafoneThree, emphasized the critical link between improved connectivity and entrepreneurship. “When connectivity improves, entrepreneurship follows,” he stated. “Founders move fast, and the infrastructure around them needs to keep up. Strong and reliable connectivity helps start-ups win customers, build reputation, and grow steadily. We’re focused on building the network that UK enterprise can count on.”
Telecoms Minister Liz Lloyd also underscored the necessity of high-quality mobile connectivity for business growth. “Access to high quality, reliable mobile connectivity is essential for businesses and driving growth. The investment VodafoneThree has committed as a result of their merger, along with their efforts to remove not spots, will help boost coverage across the UK and support our ambition for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030.”
The commitment from VodafoneThree marks a substantial step towards eliminating connectivity gaps within the UK, with the potential to reshape the business landscape significantly. As the company continues to enhance its infrastructure, it remains to be seen how these improvements will influence the entrepreneurial landscape in the coming years.
