Millions of Brits get free mobile upgrade as two major firms confirm change

Two popular networks are joining forces which could spell good news for millions of customers across the UK
Changes to your mobile phone can seem like a daunting prospect. Brits might find it all too easy to get lost in the tech jargon, as word comes from your smartphone company that they are modifying an aspect of your device.
However, millions of Vodafone and Three customers are set for one kind of boost that should be very welcome - an improvement in their mobile signal, as the networks, which have recently merged, unveils its £11billion grand plans.
The firms are joining forces to create a platform called VodafoneThree, meaning it will now be the UK's biggest. In just two weeks' time, seven million Three users and its budget sub-brand SMARTY will see their services get better.
This includes a 20 per cent average speed uplift on 4G for everything from surfing the web to texting pals.
And that's not all. Wait just a few more months, and 27 mobile subscribers across both Vodafone and Three will start to benefit from full access to roam on each other's networks. This will be made available at no extra cost.
This will get rid of dreaded "not spots" from parts of the country amounting to ten times the size of London.
VodafoneThree has confirmed that its various brands will remain separate.
This not only includes Vodafone and Three, but also VOXI, SMARTY and Talkmobile.
However, Vodafone will be the only brand for business customers.
"A new era of connectivity has begun," Max Taylor, CEO, VodafoneThree, said.
"We will connect every nation, every community, in every corner of the UK.
"We will build the UK's best 5G network with an unprecedented £11bn privately funded infrastructure project, laying the digital foundation for our country's growth ambitions.
"Benefits for our 27 million mobile customers will start within months, with access to roam across both networks at no extra cost.
"From big cities to small towns, and everywhere in between, our mission is to build the UK's best network."
Along with the coverage boost, VodafoneThree reckons it will make its cutsomer service better.
Within two years the company will open two new customer care centres in Belfast and Sheffield, bringing 400 sales and customer service roles back to the UK, alongside the existing call centres in Glasgow and Stoke.
Other exciting developments we can anticipate are the beta trials on a "first-of-its-kind," space-based satellite mobile network that VodaFoneThree says it will launch next year.
This will support the existing network build, eliminating coverage gaps in places that otherwise couldn't be reached.
Lastly, even customers of other providers - such as EE and O2 - will be able to try VodafoneThree's network with a seven-day, free, eSIM trial.
By simply scanning a QR code, customers will be able to try the network with the same phone and same contact details.
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