# Three becomes one as Vodafone buys out merger partner

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/three-becomes-one-as-vodafone-buys-out-merger-partner/
- Published: 2026-07-31T12:11:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-31T12:33:13+00:00
- Original publisher: The Register
- Original article: https://www.theregister.com/networks/2026/07/31/three-becomes-one-as-vodafone-buys-out-merger-partner/5281722
- Topics: Art, Business, Companies, Culture, UK, World

## Key points

- Vodafone now fully owns VodafoneThree after a £4.3 billion buyout.
- Full control may speed up network investment and decisions.
- Vodafone says it will retain Three and its other brands.

## Summary

Vodafone has bought the remaining 49 per cent of VodafoneThree for £4.3 billion, giving it complete ownership of the UK’s largest mobile operator. The deal, completed just over a year after Vodafone UK and Three UK merged, should simplify decision-making and could accelerate investment in the combined network.

The merger left the UK with three main mobile network operators: VodafoneThree, BT/EE and Virgin Media O2. Vodafone says its £11 billion network investment plan could generate £700 million a year in cost and capital-expenditure savings by the 2030 financial year, while it currently intends to retain the Three, VOXI, SMARTY and Talkmobile brands.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.