VodafoneThree Expands its 5G Broadband Reach to 26m Homes

Waiting weeks for a broadband engineer is exactly the experience VodafoneThree wants households to avoid as it expands its fixed wireless access strategy across the UK.

The mobile operator is launching Vodafone 5G Broadband to reach an additional 3.7 million homes and premises that cannot currently access full fibre service. 

Vodafone currently serves 23.2 million homes with full fibre access, and says the addition of 5G broadband now allows it to reach a total 26 million.

The move follows the recent merger of Vodafone and VodafoneThree, as Vodafone bought out CK Hutchison's stake in VodafoneThree, taking full ownership of the company.

It gives one of the clearest commercial signals yet about how VodafoneThree now plans to use its expanded infrastructure, as the UK's largest mobile operator.

Inside VodafoneThree's wider network plan

The company is tying the broadband expansion directly to its wider £11bn (US$14.8bn) investment programme, which aims to deliver 99% 5G Standalone population coverage by 2030 and 99.96% by 2034.

Vodafone says the service targets customers still relying on part-fibre broadband, alongside renters, students and households seeking faster setup and shorter contracts.

Instead of requiring engineer appointments or fixed-line installation, customers receive a self-install router with next-day delivery or same-day in-store collection.

“Millions of households are still paying over the odds for unreliable and slow broadband that often only reaches 74Mbps," says Rob Winterschladen, Consumer Director at VodafoneThree.

“With Vodafone 5G Broadband, we’re giving those homes a genuinely fast alternative, at great value, with no installation, no waiting and no hassle," he adds.

“As the UK’s largest full fibre provider, we already bring fast, reliable broadband to more homes than anyone else – and by adding 5G Broadband, we can now reach millions more.

“This launch is about giving customers real choice: full fibre where it’s available, and powerful 5G Broadband where it’s not – plus, better options for anyone wanting speed with ease and flexibility”.

Fixed wireless joins fibre plans

By combining fixed and wireless infrastructure, VodafoneThree is attempting to widen broadband availability without depending entirely on fibre rollout timetables.

The service is flexible, as customers can choose between a rolling 30-day plan or a 24-month contract, with unlimited data included across all plans.

The company says the service delivers speeds of up to 150Mbps, around three times faster than a typical part-fibre connection. 

Vodafone is also launching a combined broadband availability checker through Vodafone.co.uk. Customers enter their postcode and receive recommendations on whether full fibre or 5G broadband offers the fastest available connection at their address.

The operator is presenting both fibre and wireless products through the same platform. The company says this gives households more flexibility when choosing between fixed and mobile-based broadband.

Merged network expands coverage

The broadband launch acts as an early demonstration of how Vodafone and Three intend to use shared infrastructure following their merger.

VodafoneThree is deploying Multi Operator Core Network technology, known as MOCN, across more than 10,000 sites nationwide.

The technology allows both operators to share radio access infrastructure while maintaining separate core networks.

For properties where indoor 5G reception is weaker, Vodafone also plans to introduce an outdoor hub.

The unit is designed for self-installation outside the home, where it connects to the strongest available 5G signal before linking directly to an indoor Power Hub router.

Vodafone says the setup improves consistency in areas where indoor signal is weaker, including some rural locations.

5G broadband competition grows

The launch reflects wider competition among UK operators to position 5G fixed wireless access as an alternative to traditional broadband services.

While fibre rollout continues across the market, operators are increasingly using 5G infrastructure to reach homes that remain outside full fibre coverage or where installation delays continue.

VodafoneThree’s strategy combines mobile network integration with fixed broadband expansion, using shared infrastructure to increase addressable coverage more quickly.