VodafoneThree has awarded contracts worth 拢2 billion to global communications technology leaders Ericsson and Nokia.
The news comes just three months after the 拢16.5bn mega-merger was complete and is the next stage in its mission to build the UK鈥檚 best mobile network.
The Scandinavian-based firms will help deliver a share of the company鈥檚 拢11bn investment plan, which aims to boost the UK economy by as much as 拢102bn between 2025 and 2035.
The eight-year programme is set to power sectors from energy and financial services to manufacturing, security and technology in an attempt to transform the UK鈥檚 digital backbone.
The company, headquartered in Newbury, says the plan is fully funded and regulated and will create up to 13,000 jobs across the UK in engineering, construction and maintenance.聽
The majority of roles – around 74% – will be based outside London and the South East, supporting regional growth and equipping local workforces with skills for the future.
VodafoneThree has committed to a front-loaded rollout, stating that, within the first year, nearly three-quarters of the UK population will gain access to its fastest 5G speeds, rising to 90% within three years.
鈥淲e said we would deliver at pace and, just a few months in, we are delighted to announce our strategic partners, Ericsson and Nokia, that will work with us to deliver our ambition of building the UK鈥檚 best network,鈥� said Max Taylor, CEO of VodafoneThree.聽
鈥淭hey 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鈥檚 digital future.鈥�
Ericsson will deploy its next-generation Radio Access Network (RAN) and core network solutions across 10,000 UK sites, modernising existing 4G and 5G infrastructure.聽
President and CEO, B枚rje Ekholm, added: 鈥淲e 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.聽
鈥淭rusted high-performing programmable networks are critical to success for the UK鈥檚 digital economy.聽
鈥淎I, automation and virtual/augmented reality won鈥檛 reach their potential without them.鈥�
Meanwhile, Nokia will supply ultra-performance RAN equipment to around 7,000 sites and modernise part of VodafoneThree鈥檚 voice core.聽
Its president and CEO, Justin Hotard, said: 鈥淭oday鈥檚 networks need new levels of performance, trust, and resilience.聽
鈥淲e are pleased that VodafoneThree has chosen our industry-leading network solutions to build a future-proof 5G Standalone network across the UK to meet the needs of customers today, and as the AI supercycle accelerates.鈥�
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