For many years the UK has had four major mobile networks. This is still technically the case, with EE, O2, Three and Vodafone maintaining nationwide networks with 2G, 4G and 5G signal as legacy 3G networks are shut down.

But in May 2025 the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) approved the proposed merger of Vodafone and Three, which is now in the early stages of existing as, handily, VodafoneThree.

Mobile customers of each company continue to be so, VodafoneThree has been quick to point out the advantages of its slowly combining assets. The firm claims that Vodafone customers can now enjoy enhanced mobile signal by using Three’s coverage when it benefits them, and vice versa.

Not only that, the company has now introduced an online postcode checker tool to see if your local area is benefitting from recent mobile network upgrades.

VodafoneThree said it has improved cellular network coverage at more than 8,000 sites across the UK, which would erase 16,500 square kilometres of so-called ‘not-spots’, areas with little to no mobile signal.

New economic modelling – which you can take with a pinch of salt as it was commissioned by consultancy firm WPI Strategy for VodafoneThree – says the removal of these not-spots “would create 49,000 businesses and a £6.6bn boost to the economy by 2026.”

The survey found that poor mobile signal was a big obstacle to entrepreneurship across the UK, with 62 percent of people saying unreliable connectivity had stopped them from launching a local business.

You can access the postcode checker from VodafoneThree here.

For most Brits in areas with improved signal, it could simply mean being able to take a phone call without having to be connected to home Wi-Fi, improved video calling when out and about, or more reliable video streaming on the bus to work.

VodafoneThree said the coverage expansion would most positively affect the North-West and South-East of England, and even singled out Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire as a town whose “enhanced connectivity could result in a £9 million boost to the local economy. ”

You are also set to benefit from the national network improvements if you are a customer of a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that uses either Vodafone or Three’s network. These include VOXI, Lebara, Asda Mobile, Talk Mobile, iD Mobile and Smarty.