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3 and Vodafone.

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
June 16, 2025
11 replies
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Now that 3 and vodafone are one when will ID MOBILE be able to use the vodafone network as well as the 3 network?

Best answer by WelshPaul

You won’t be able to manually connect to the Vodafone network. Three/Vodafone are using MOCN, or Multi-Operator Core Network, which is a network-sharing technology defined by 3GPP that allows multiple mobile network operators (MNOs) to share a single Radio Access Network (RAN) infrastructure. Your device will automatically connect to whatever mast has the strongest signal, be that a Three mast or a Vodafone mast. MOCN is being enabled on a mast-by-mast basis and will take years to complete.

andewhite

Platinum  Contributor

If you’re a Vodafone UK or Three UK customer, then apparently so, @terlga.

VodafoneThree have said that within a few months of legal completion of the merger of Vodafone UK and Three UK, customers of both will start to automatically use each other’s networks, connecting them to the best coverage available, at no extra cost.

Doubt the same will apply to MVNO businesses, like iD Mobile, ASDA mobile, etcetera.

Forum member (non-iD).

O

Ojw3381

New Contributor

In the articles about the merger they mention coverage being shared over the next few weeks and MVNOs are mentioned (Smarty etc) but no mention of ID 🤔

Siân W

iD Mobile Employee

Hi @Ojw3381 I am seeking further clarification on this, and we will share as soon as we know more.

VodafoneThree begins a new era of connectivity for the UK

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thewookiewon

Active Contributor

@Siân I'm eager to hear too as the signal in Shropshire is dier on anything but Vodafone

WelshPaul

Platinum  Contributor

Mast sharing will be implemented over the next eight years.

I have no affiliation whatsoever with iD Mobile or any subsidiary companies. Comments posted are entirely of my own opinion. Did my comment help answer your question? If so, don't forget to mark the response as the Most Helpful Answer.

T

thewookiewon

Active Contributor

Mast sharing will be implemented over the next eight years.

Is that confirmed for ID though? The online article calls out explicitly providers without ID mentioned

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Sevs

New Contributor

I am already noticing Vodafone UK appearing next to my ID logo ? Sometimes even EE?

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Moto_customer

Helpful Contributor

I can't say I have been able to connect to vodafone.uk but in the last month I have got at least half a dozen texts from id about roaming in Europe....

And I am only out in my back yard. This is is in Northern Ireland (U.K.) . Unfortunately here the signals from the Republic of Ireland are stronger than either Three.uk or Vodafone.uk.

WelshPaulAnswer

Platinum  Contributor

You won’t be able to manually connect to the Vodafone network. Three/Vodafone are using MOCN, or Multi-Operator Core Network, which is a network-sharing technology defined by 3GPP that allows multiple mobile network operators (MNOs) to share a single Radio Access Network (RAN) infrastructure. Your device will automatically connect to whatever mast has the strongest signal, be that a Three mast or a Vodafone mast. MOCN is being enabled on a mast-by-mast basis and will take years to complete.

I have no affiliation whatsoever with iD Mobile or any subsidiary companies. Comments posted are entirely of my own opinion. Did my comment help answer your question? If so, don't forget to mark the response as the Most Helpful Answer.

Geluk

Silver Contributor

But Vodafone are advertising on TV that their customers can now use the 3 network; clearly misleading, as doesn’t mention the limitations [currently].

Did my comment help answer your question? If so, don't forget to mark the response as the Most Helpful Answer.