Vodafone Review

Overview

Vodafone is one of the world's largest telecommunications companies and a founding pillar of the UK mobile industry. The company made history in 1985 when it carried the UK's first ever mobile phone call, and has since grown into a global giant operating in dozens of markets worldwide. In the UK, Vodafone has maintained a strong presence as a premium network, consistently ranking among the top operators for coverage and technology innovation.

In 2025, Vodafone UK completed its transformative merger with Three to form VodafoneThree, creating the UK's largest mobile operator by subscriber numbers. The combined entity has committed to investing 11 billion pounds over ten years to upgrade the UK's mobile infrastructure, with a focus on expanding 5G coverage and eliminating coverage gaps. While both brands continue to operate independently, the shared network infrastructure is already delivering measurable improvements for customers of both networks.

Vodafone was a pioneer in 5G Standalone technology in the UK, launching its 5G Ultra service as the country's first consumer-facing standalone 5G network. The network offers strong coverage nationwide, with 4G reaching over 99% of UK homes and 5G available in a growing number of cities and towns. Vodafone positions itself as a technology-forward network with a focus on innovation, offering features like 5G roaming in more European locations than any other UK operator.

Coverage & Speed

Vodafone's coverage is among the best in the UK, with 4G reaching over 99% of homes and a growing 5G footprint. The network ranks second behind EE for overall coverage reliability and is particularly strong along major transport corridors following targeted upgrades to motorways and A-roads. The Three merger further strengthens Vodafone's coverage position.

Plans & Pricing

Vodafone offers a range of plans across standard and Xtra tiers. Xtra plans include additional benefits like inclusive roaming, entertainment subscriptions, and priority network access. The pricing structure sits between Three's budget positioning and EE's premium pricing.

Roaming

Vodafone's roaming offering is tiered by plan level. Standard plans charge 2.25 pounds per day to use your UK allowance in 51 European destinations, with a 25GB fair usage cap. Xtra plans with four or more Xtra benefits include free EU roaming, and unlimited data Xtra plans extend free roaming to an additional 32 worldwide destinations. Vodafone offers 5G roaming in 193 European locations, more than any other UK network, which is a notable advantage for customers with compatible devices. A 62-day roaming limit within a 4-month period applies to prevent permanent roaming.