Cellnex Beats the Clock: VodafoneThree Site Upgraded Early

Cellnex, the European telecoms infrastructure operator, completes its first consolidated mobile mast site for VodafoneThree, five months ahead of schedule.

The upgraded site, located in Burnley in the UK, delivers faster and more reliable 4G and 5G connectivity to customers of both network providers.

Marking a key step in the rollout of shared infrastructure following the VodafoneThree merger, reflects the commitment to building what it calls the best mobile network in the UK. 

Cellnex’s delivery forms part of a wider plan to modernise and consolidate network sites across the country.

The Burnley site undergoes a complete baseband upgrade to enhance performance and expand network capacity.

As part of the work, multiple antennas and radio units are swapped to accommodate both VodafoneThree services. The consolidation brings hardware and software upgrades together to support higher volumes of mobile traffic with lower latency and increased reliability.

Gianluca Landolina, CEO of Cellnex UK, says: “We are honoured and committed to be supporting VodafoneThree in their journey to delivering the biggest privately funded telecom investment in the UK. 

“The successful delivery of this first site in Burnley, ahead of schedule, is a powerful demonstration of this collaboration in action.

“Our role is to provide the stable, adaptable infrastructure, leveraging our neutral host solutions and national portfolio of sites. This builds the foundation for the UK’s digital future and gives VodafoneThree the confidence to execute ambitious, nation-building projects like this one.” 

Boosting digital competitiveness with shared infrastructure

The project is designed to improve mobile coverage while advancing a shared infrastructure model that supports long-term sustainability. As digital services and data usage increase across all sectors, delivering consistent mobile connectivity becomes more essential for UK businesses and consumers.

By consolidating mobile network assets, VodafoneThree and Cellnex are introducing a more efficient approach to mobile infrastructure. Instead of building separate masts, both operators now use the same upgraded site, reducing environmental impact and allowing for quicker deployment.

The shared model aims to meet growing demand while reducing duplication across the UK’s digital landscape. It aligns with VodafoneThree’s investment plans to expand 5G Standalone coverage to 99% of the UK population by 2030, reaching 99.96% by 2034.

VodafoneThree targets nationwide 5G rollout

The Burnley upgrade is one of several sites planned for consolidation, with each site forming part of the larger effort to deliver high-speed 5G connectivity at scale. For VodafoneThree, the work is a key step in advancing its nationwide infrastructure goals.

Following the merger between Vodafone UK and Three UK, the combined entity focuses on rapid expansion of its digital infrastructure with a pledge to invest in 5G technology and increase mobile coverage. 

Andrea Donà, Chief Network Officer at VodafoneThree, says: “Cellnex’s delivery of this first site ahead of schedule is fantastic news.

“VodafoneThree is investing in critical digital infrastructure to reach 99% population coverage with 5G Standalone by 2030 and 99.96% by 2034, laying the foundation for a more connected, innovative and future-ready Britain.

“Having trusted partners such as Cellnex, who share our ambition, is essential to us achieving our mission to build the UK’s best network and we look forward to continuing to work together.” 

As digital transformation accelerates across the UK economy, delivery of the consolidated site demonstrates how infrastructure partnerships can support both mobile performance and sustainability goals. 

For VodafoneThree, the milestone marks an early achievement in its 5G rollout, with more upgrades scheduled to follow across its combined network footprint.