The new carrier’s first big renewal test has been passed after the distribution deal with the technology retailer
VodafoneThree and Currys have announced a new multi-year agreement, marking a major distribution deal just weeks after the merger of Vodafone UK and Three UK. As a result, VodafoneThree will be the exclusive mobile network operator (MNO) for Currys.
Vodafone and Currys’ previous partnership – last updated in January 2023 – saw their offering go beyond mobile and introduce home broadband and connected devices for around the home. The new partnership will extend the reach of services to include mobile broadband (fixed wireless access) and will continue to offer home broadband and mobile services on the Vodafone brand.
As the largest technology products and services retail chain in the UK, Currys customers will: now get deals on SIM-only and broadband packages; get “market-leading” mobile handsets; and have access advice from Vodafone’s thousands of customer care support agents, both online and in stores. The agreement will see VodafoneThree offer mobile services, home and mobile broadband under the Vodafone brand, as well as VOXI mobile. Currys is also owner of Three UK based virtual operator (MVNO) iD Mobile.
“I am delighted that we can announce a new exclusive partnership with Currys, just weeks after the creation of VodafoneThree,” said VodafoneThree consumer operations director Jon Shaw. “This new wider ranging partnership will allow Currys and VodafoneThree to explore greater opportunities in home and mobile broadband, for consumers and businesses across the UK.”
He added: “It’s an exciting time as we build the UK’s best network, with millions of customers already starting to benefit from unrivalled access to roam across each other’s networks at no extra cost.”
“Signing this multi-year agreement with VodafoneThree demonstrates the strength of our long-term partnership,” echoed Curry’s chief commercial officer Ed Connolly. “We’re confident in our shared commitment to providing customers with quality, flexibility and value across mobile, home broadband and mobile broadband too.”
He added: “This agreement will allow customers to continue using the improved coverage, speed and reliability of the VodafoneThree network in the UK. Our mobile offering is growing, it’s working for our customers, and it’s working for us too.”
The two point out with over 400 Vodafone stores across the UK, three e-shops, and thousands of customer support colleagues, customers will have access to “a wealth of expert advice”. Vodafone currently has fibre availability to over 20 million premises via CityFibre and Openreach. In addition, as of last month, VodafoneThree partnered with Community Fibre to access that altnet’s London fibre network, enabling up to 1.3 million London homes to connect.
In mega-mergers there is always a risk of indigestion so keeping key customers happy is important for the new-look mobile operator, even while it engages in things like hiving off spectrum to VMO2. It remains to be seen whether the UK can begin moving up mobile performance leaderboards like Ookla’s.
