VodafoneThree and Ericsson have reached a significant milestone with the go-live of VodafoneThree’s upgraded cloud native 5G core network in the United Kingdom. The deployment marks the next phase of VodafoneThree’s network transformation, bringing 4G and 5G core functions onto a single cloud native platform powered by Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core architecture.
The upgraded cloud native 5G core is designed to deliver a planned capacity of 9 terabits per second, positioning it among Europe’s largest mobile packet cores. That level of throughput is critical for meeting the growing data demands driven by streaming, gaming, Fixed Wireless Access home broadband and other bandwidth-intensive services across VodafoneThree’s base of 28.6 million customers.
Deployed on Ericsson’s Cloud Native Infrastructure Solution, the new core provides a simplified, more resilient and automated network environment. By unifying 4G and 5G core functions on a single platform, the architecture reduces complexity while laying the groundwork for 5G Standalone capabilities and advanced services such as network slicing.
Differentiated Connectivity Through Network Slicing
The cloud native 5G core underpins VodafoneThree’s introduction of differentiated connectivity services, including the recently launched Vodafone SuperMobile. The service delivers up to four times faster speeds and a minimum download speed guarantee of 15 Mbps when customers are within 5G Standalone coverage.
Two dedicated network slices support these capabilities. The 5G+ FastTrack slice gives consumers access to a dedicated portion of the network, helping data move faster and more reliably during periods of high demand. The National Business Slice separates business traffic from consumer demand, enabling up to four times faster speeds and committed performance targets so that employees, applications and critical workflows remain connected and productive.
VodafoneThree’s network slicing strategy builds on the 5G+ Local Slicing service launched by Vodafone Business earlier in 2026. That offering delivers contracted performance at specific high-density sites such as entertainment venues, travel hubs and logistics facilities. Looking ahead, VodafoneThree plans to launch a National Critical Slice in 2027, designed to give blue-light organisations and critical public services priority connectivity and assured performance for mission-critical operations.
From Shared Infrastructure to a Dedicated Core
The upgraded cloud native 5G core represents the second major phase of VodafoneThree’s ambitious network transformation. Earlier in 2026, VodafoneThree completed a world-first network upgrade that unified core-level sharing through Multi-Operator Core Network technology with its existing Multi-Operator Radio Access Network across a multi-vendor 4G and 5G network. That step enabled Vodafone and Three customers to automatically connect to the best available coverage from either network at no extra cost. The current deployment advances that work from shared infrastructure to a single, dedicated and highly advanced Ericsson 5G Core.
The core network project was originally contracted by Three UK in January 2025 to support increasing data demand. It has since been seamlessly integrated into the wider VodafoneThree network strategy. Ericsson serves as VodafoneThree’s sole vendor for the nationwide core network and provides the significant majority of its radio access network, as part of the eight-year partnership announced in September 2025. The ongoing modernisation also includes deployment of Ericsson’s latest energy-efficient radio hardware and smart multi-band antennas across major population centres.
Hrvoje Jerkovic, Network Engineering Director at VodafoneThree, said: “The activation of our new cloud-native 5G core network is a major milestone in our journey to build the UK’s best network. Following the successful integration of our radio networks earlier this year, we are now taking the next step by creating a single, highly advanced core network that will underpin the future of connectivity for consumers and businesses across the UK. Together with Ericsson, we are building a network designed for the demands of tomorrow, delivering greater capacity, resilience and performance, while creating the foundation for innovations such as network slicing and new AI-powered services.”