VodafoneThree’s upgraded cloud-native 5G Core UK mobile network starts going live

Merged mobile operator VodafoneThree (Vodafone and Three UK) have announced that they’ve started to roll-out their new Ericsson powered dual-mode and cloud-native 5G Core mobile network, which is said to have a total capacity of 9Tbps (Terabits per second) to help them meet future data demand as mobile broadband usage grows.

Just to recap. VodafoneThree has established a post-merger plan to invest £11bn into upgrading the UK’s 5G mobile infrastructure and coverage over the next decade (here, here and here). The combined business has previously committed to reach more than 99.95% of the UK’s population with their 5G Standalone (5GSA / 5G+) network by 2034 and to push fixed wireless access (mobile home broadband) to 82% of households by 2030, among other things.

The new 5G Core network will help to underpin that ambition and support their latest 5G+ enhancements, such as Network Slicing via their recently launched SuperMobile add-on. The upgraded 5G Core is said to represent the second major phase of VodafoneThree’s network transformation after they unified core-level sharing between both networks through their Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) technology, with its existing Multi-Operator Radio Access Network (MORAN) over a multi-vendor 4G and 5G network.

The new 5G Core will aim to start the evolution from that shared infrastructure and move it to a single, dedicated, and advanced core network from Ericsson, which they said has been “designed to deliver a step-change in performance, reliability, and readiness for future innovation for Vodafone and Three customers“.

Key benefits of the new core network include:

➤ Foundation for 5G SA and network slicing: The cloud-native, programmable core is the engine for delivering value through 5G SA including differentiated connectivity services, such as network slicing.

➤ Scalable capacity: Built to handle rapid data growth and support future needs as new services emerge.

➤ Enhanced stability and lower latency: A distributed architecture brings the core network closer to customers, improving latency, while advanced resilience reduces downtime.

➤ Operational agility: In-service software upgrades allow for infrastructure updates without disrupting customer traffic, enabling faster rollout of new features.

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.”

The new core network is being rolled out under an 8-year strategic partnership with Ericsson, so its benefits will take time to reach every location – aligned to their 5G+ deployment plan.