Business & Technology
Vodafone tightens control of VodafoneThree after merger
Vodafone has agreed to take sole ownership of VodafoneThree. The move follows the merger of Vodafone UK and Three UK and comes as the combined operator continues to implement remedies tied to competition approval.
James Gray, Managing Director of Graystone Strategy, said the transaction gives Vodafone control of the business through a £4.3 billion share deal with CK Hutchison. The change was widely expected, he added, given Vodafone’s group structure and its position in the joint venture.
The development comes at a sensitive time for the UK mobile market. Regulators approved the combination of the two operators subject to a series of conditions, including £11 billion of network investment over eight years, the continuation of certain lower-cost tariffs for three years, and the introduction of a regulated wholesale reference offer for mobile virtual network operators.
Wholesale access
That wholesale reference offer has been one of the most closely watched measures for smaller telecoms brands and potential new entrants. It created a structured wholesale deal that interested parties could request from Vodafone, providing a more formal route into the market for businesses that want to sell mobile services using another operator’s infrastructure.
Gray said the ownership change was unlikely to alter the Competition and Markets Authority’s earlier judgment. “My gut feel, based on what I’ve seen this morning, is probably not. Because all that’s happened is the structure has changed of the trading brand,” said Gray.
He added that VodafoneThree must submit an independent report after its first year showing what had changed and how the wholesale reference offer was working.
Competition impact
Debate around the merger has centred on whether reducing the number of network owners in the UK would weaken competition. Gray said the effect so far appeared limited, although he noted the merger was still at an early stage.
“I don’t think competition has been materially impacted by the merger, although to be fair the merger is still relatively young as mergers go,” said Gray.
He pointed to the fact that Vodafone and Three still trade as separate brands, leaving consumers with what appears to be a four-brand market even though two of those brands now sit under the same ownership structure. He also said there had been no significant rise in mobile bills so far.
In the MVNO market, however, both Gray and Mike Mills, Managing Director, Service Provider, at Gamma Communications, described a noticeable increase in activity. Mills said Gamma was seeing sharply higher interest, while Gray said more brands appeared to be exploring launches in the UK.
Among the names mentioned were Monzo and Klarna, which have signalled plans in the sector, and Revolut, which has already launched. Gray also referred to smaller brands entering the market, including Zim, Tech Money and Rocket.
Network rollout
Another key test for VodafoneThree is whether it can deliver the network investment promised as part of the merger approval. Gray said specific rollout targets were attached to the £11 billion spending commitment and that failure to meet them could extend some of the remedies.
Both speakers said they had seen signs of improving coverage. Gray said consumers on Vodafone and Three appeared to be getting better service as the operator used multi-operator core network technology to allow roaming between sites inherited from the two businesses.
“Again, speaking as a consumer on the Vodafone network as it happens, I’ve seen improvements, there’s no doubt about that,” added Gray.
Mills also said he had observed stronger local coverage and argued that VodafoneThree appeared to be carrying out the integration work it had set out to do. He added that the business had kept its MVNO operation focused during a complex merger involving both technology and organisational change.
Gray said the scale of the work should not be underestimated because it extends beyond radio networks into operational and business support systems, as well as brand integration.
Busy market
Much of the discussion focused on how the wholesale market has developed since the merger. Mills said the UK market was as dynamic as he had seen it in a decade, with activity spanning financial services, alternative network providers and brands targeting different age and income groups.
Gray shared that view and pointed to wider market forecasts. Research suggests the global MVNO market could reach USD $155 billion by 2031, with Europe accounting for USD $65 billion, he said.
He said alternative network providers had a clear rationale for launching mobile offers because they could sell more services to existing broadband customers. Retail was another area drawing attention, with Tesco Mobile cited as the UK’s largest MVNO at about five million customers and Lidl highlighted as a retailer that had discussed expansion across multiple territories.
Gray argued that retail mobile offers were becoming more closely tied to loyalty schemes, making them more relevant to a grocer’s core business. That could increase interest among major supermarket groups competing for share in a tough consumer market, he said.
Financial technology groups are also testing the model, helped by wider adoption of eSIM. Gray said that allows brands to add mobile services to a digital customer journey with very little friction, making travel SIM products an obvious starting point.
He said Revolut had been successful in that area before moving into local mobile offers, but added that it was too early to judge the long-term strength of the trend in more developed European markets.
Looking ahead, Gray said he expected more large consumer brands to enter the market because wholesale access had become easier and consumers were less attached to traditional network operators than in the past. “I would be very surprised if we didn’t see at least one of the big grocers come to market,” he said.
Jayden, 13 launched Jay’s Bakes from his home in Taunton Road in Bicester on Saturday, June 20.
His late nan, a keen baker herself, was the inspiration behind his passion, as well as time spent helping his uncle with his catering business.
Over the last 18 months he has honed his skills by preparing sweat treats every day after school.
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Determined to turn his hobby into something more, Jayden spent two and a half months researching requirements, gaining his Level 2 food hygiene certificate and officially registering his business, mostly without adult intervention.
After four days of preparation, the business officially launched.
Customers were treated to a wide selection of homemade goods, including M&M cookies, Kinder brownies, Biscoff cookies, Victoria sponge trays, lemon drizzle cups and viral ‘dot cakes’.
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His Kinder brownies proved particularly popular, and by the end of the day he had sold out of everything, taking £210.
Despite feeling “excited and a bit nervous” beforehand, Jayden said the opening was a success, with a strong turnout and positive feedback shared on social media.
His favourite moment came when he officially opened the shed by cutting the ribbon.
Supported by his mum, stepdad, grandparents and uncle, Jayden first began selling from a table in May before building and painting his now-signature blue cake shed.
He now plans to continue baking and selling regularly, bringing his creations to the local community.
Lidl has been given planning permission to build its ninth supermarket in Oxfordshire, despite concerns over flooding.
Aldi opened in Didcot in 2015 and has a supermarket at the Jubilee Way roundabout but shoppers in the town have had to wait over a decade for Lidl to follow.
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South Oxfordshire District Council has now backed plans by the German retailer for a new supermarket in Abingdon Road.
Former Didcot mayor Mocky Khan said: “This give the residents of Didcot more choice, especially when you consider the cost of living environment we have at the moment.
“The town is growing with more new homes being built, and with more growth it’s good to have a wide variety of supermarkets to fit all budgets,”
The plans for the new supermarket were first submitted in 2024.
Didcot Town Council previously objected to the scheme, on the grounds of a lack of flood risk mitigation measures, along with the county council who said there was “insufficient information”.
The town council noted there are “several flooding incidents in the area, especially when the Marsh Bridge water pumps fail”.
But in a report by planning officers granting permission to the supermarket, those issues have now been addressed by Lidl.
The officers said the proposals “largely accord” with the policies around planning, and more can be done to “break up” the car park with greenery.
Planning officers chose to let Lidl build the new supermarket subject to conditions.
They said in a report: “Balanced against this policy conflict is the fact that this is a previously developed site, which is currently in a dilapidated state.
“The proposals represent a significant improvement on the current underutilisation of the site and on its appearance.
“The National Planning Policy Framework and Local Plan set out significant support for the reuse of previously developed land.
“As stated in the applicant’s planning statement, there have been previous enquiries as to the redevelopment of the site that have not come to fruition.
“Given this, finding a viable use for the site is a clear benefit which I consider to be of substantial benefit.”
Thirty-four residents had objected to Lidl’s plans, highlighting concerns over extra traffic, there being no need for another supermarket in the town and there being more appropriate locations to build in their view.
Didcot already has an Aldi store just off Broadway and a Sainsbury’s, M&S Foodhall and Asda.
The nearest Lidl to the proposed site are in Lupton Road, Wallingford, and Marcham Road in Abingdon.
Three people wrote in to support the new Lidl, recognising the benefits of a discount food store and the further jobs it will create.
Lidl has said its proposals for a Didcot supermarket would deliver 40 full-time equivalent jobs as well as further employment during the construction phase.
No opening date was given by the retailer, while the developer is currently on site progressing with the enabling works.
A spokesman said: “We’ve seen demand for our affordable, high-quality products continue to rise in Oxfordshire, and we are committed to serving more communities in the area.
“Our new store will create around 40 new jobs and build on our continued growth.
“We’re excited to be a step closer to opening this store and thank everyone who has supported us on our journey so far.”
It also said the £12m investment would work with the 6,300 new homes allocated to be built, as per the local plan.
Dalcour Maclaren, a specialist in utilities and infrastructure, announced the news on June 22, following a detailed assessment of its operations, including governance, employee wellbeing, environmental impact, and social responsibility.
James Neil, CEO of Dalcour Maclaren, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Dalcour Maclaren.
“B Corp status gives us the official badge that recognises everything that matters most to us in our culture, our values, and how we make decisions for our people and our clients. We thrive on doing things differently at DM and B Corp absolutely endorses this.”
The certification means the company meets rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
Dalcour Maclaren now joins more than 10,000 B Corps worldwide and over 2,600 in the UK, including well-known names such as The Guardian, Innocent Drinks, Patagonia, and The Big Issue.
Chris Turner, CEO of B Lab UK, said: “Welcoming Dalcour Maclaren to the B Corp community is hugely exciting. Its commitment to doing business differently will be an inspiration to others and will help spread the notion that success in business is as much about people and planet as it is profit.”
Dalcour Maclaren operates across the UK and Ireland, supporting major projects in energy, water, transport, and digital infrastructure. The company’s services include land, planning, environment, stakeholder engagement, and geospatial services.
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