Quick Overview
Vodafone UK and Three UK announced a proposed merger in 2023. As of 2026, they continue to operate as separate networks pending final regulatory decisions. This comparison reflects their current independent operation.
| Category | Vodafone | Three |
|---|---|---|
| Parent company | Vodafone Group | CK Hutchison |
| 5G cities | 100+ | 150+ |
| 4G population coverage | ~99% | ~99% (urban-weighted) |
| APN | wap.vodafone.co.uk | three.co.uk |
| Unlimited data from | ~£20/month | ~£12/month |
| Roaming | Roam-Free (EU + 80+ destinations) | Go Roam (71 destinations incl. USA) |
| MVNOs | VOXI, Lebara, Talkmobile, UW | SMARTY, iD Mobile |
Coverage
Vodafone and Three have broadly similar 4G footprints, each reaching ~99% of the UK population. Vodafone's 800 MHz spectrum provides better rural building penetration. Three's coverage is strong in cities and large towns but can be patchier in remote areas. For countryside or motorway travel, Vodafone is typically more reliable.
For 5G, Three has rolled out to more named locations (150+ vs Vodafone's 100+), but Vodafone's per-site 5G performance is very competitive. In most city centres both are excellent for 5G data.
Data Speeds
Both networks achieve comparable 4G speeds nationally — 25–45 Mbps average download. On 5G, peak speeds of 150–350 Mbps are achievable on both networks in strong signal areas. Vodafone's spectrum depth (including 3.4–3.8 GHz n78 acquired at auction) supports high-capacity 5G with good consistency. Three uses similar spectrum and achieves competitive results.
Plans & Pricing
Three wins clearly on price for unlimited data. Three's uncapped unlimited SIM-only plans start around £12–16/month; Vodafone's unlimited tiers start around £20–25/month. For lighter users, both offer comparable 5–30 GB plans at similar prices. Three's SMARTY MVNO offers unlimited data from as little as £25/month including hotspot tethering.
APN Settings Compared
| Setting | Vodafone | Three |
|---|---|---|
| APN | wap.vodafone.co.uk | three.co.uk |
| Username | wap | (none) |
| Password | wap | (none) |
| MCC / MNC | 234 / 15 | 234 / 20 |
| MMSC | http://mms.vodafone.co.uk/servlets/mms | http://mms.three.co.uk:10021/mmsc |
| MMS Proxy | 212.183.137.012 | 212.137.86.109 |
| MMS Port | 8799 | 8799 |
Full guides: Vodafone APN settings · Three APN settings
Roaming
Both networks offer good roaming packages. Vodafone Roam-Free covers the EU plus 80+ additional destinations. Three Go Roam covers 71 destinations but includes the USA, Australia, New Zealand and several Asia-Pacific countries that aren't in Vodafone's free tier. For US travel specifically, Three is usually cheaper. For a wider range of non-EU European and African destinations, Vodafone's coverage may reach further.
Merger Context
The Vodafone–Three merger, if completed, would create the UK's largest mobile operator by subscriber count. Regulators required significant commitments around pricing, coverage and wholesale access before approving any deal. Until the merger completes and any network consolidation begins, customers should treat both as entirely separate networks with separate infrastructure, SIMs and customer service.
⭐ Verdict
Three is the better value network for data-hungry UK users — its unlimited plans are significantly cheaper. Vodafone is the stronger choice for enterprise users, international travellers (particularly to non-Go Roam destinations), and anyone who values a larger physical retail presence. The merger means this comparison may look different by 2027.