Connecting you on The Nation's Network

From the very first phone call and text message, we've been connecting the nation to the people and things they love.

The Nation's Network: Vodafone UK, supporting the nation since 1984. Full verification of the substantiation

The history of The Nation's Network

From start-up to being an essential part of our daily lives.

22 March 1984: the Vodafone name is unveiled for the first time. 40 years later, The Nation's Network now has 28.8 million customers in the UK as VodafoneThree.*

*Vodafone Group Annual 2026 report - find out more on our financial results and presentations page

1980s

1984 - Vodafone is launched by parent company, Racal.
1985 - Vodafone UK network launches and we make the first-ever mobile call on New Year’s Day.

1990s

1991 - We launched our digital mobile phone service - the first in the UK.
1992 - We sent the world’s first SMS, spelling out ‘Merry Christmas’ on 3 December from software engineer Neil Papworth to Vodafone's director Richard Jarvis.
We also signed the world’s first international roaming agreement - prior to that, phones didn't work when taken abroad.
1999 - At Vodafone, we reach 5 million customers.

2000s

2000 - We become Manchester United’s new principal sponsor.
2001 - The first 3G voice call is made on our 3G network.
2002 - The Vodafone Group Foundation launches, and we sponsor Ferrari F1.

2010s

2013 - 4G goes live in London, with 80 towns and districts around London live by the end of the year.
2015 - We launched home broadband and Wi-Fi calling.
2017 - VOXI, our new youth-targeted mobile offering, is launched.
2018 - We made the world’s first holographic call using 5G, and our VeryMe customer loyalty programme was launched.
2019 - 5G goes live in 15 towns and cities across the UK and 55 towns and cities across Europe.

#BeUnlimited

Our unlimited data plans redefined the market for customers.**

**Unlimited data: available on Unlimited plan (max download and upload speeds applicable). Speed may vary by a number of factors.

2020s

2021 - We launched everyone.connected, and helped one million people cross the digital divide at the end of 2022.
We also launched Vodafone EVO, our best-ever smartphone plan, with a unique combination of flexible contract lengths, trade-in, and early upgrade options.
2022 - We announced our new Wimbledon tennis partnership and a multi-year partnership with the Welsh Rugby Union. We also extended our everyone.connected pledge to support 4 million people and businesses.
2023 - Our partnership with Glastonbury is announced. We also partner with the children’s charity NSPCC.
2024 - Our partnership with Scottish Rugby is announced.
2025 - We launched Just Ask Once, setting a new standard across the industry with Asynchronous messaging - the first UK mobile operator to do this.
2025 - We launched The Nation's Network, which brings to life Vodafone’s role in connecting the nation to the people and things we love. We've celebrated 40 years since the brand launched.

Two networks are better than one

On 1 June 2025, Vodafone and Three UK merged to form VodafoneThree. As part of our joint venture, we're investing £11 billion in building the UK's best ever network.

Across the country, Vodafone and Three customers can use both networks — at no extra cost.

World's first satellite video call

At Vodafone, we made the world's first-ever video call over satellite from an area with no terrestrial mobile coverage, opening up connectivity to all parts of the UK.

40 years after making the UK's first mobile call, we’re proud to continue our legacy of innovation and connection as The Nation’s Network.

Nation's Network: Vodafone UK is the nation's most valuable brand, verified by Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands Report 2024, and supporting the nation since 1984 through to 2025's major summer events and beyond. Full verification of the substantiation [PDF]

Vodafone firsts: Vodafone celebrates 40 years since the first UK mobile phone call

4G: Vodafone ultrafast 4G expands across the Greater London area

5G: Vodafone extends largest 5G network to more places

Vodafone Broadband wins 'Most Popular Broadband Provider': Uswitch Telecoms Awards 2025

Why we're The Nation's Network

Since 1984, we’ve gone from strength to strength to support the nation.

Today, we’re proud to call ourselves The Nation’s Network.

'Firsts' in the telecommunication industry

As the UK's first mobile network, we made the UK's first mobile call, sent the first text, and supported the nation's first space mobile video call.

Supporting our emergency services

We're proud to support our emergency services - with 82% of emergency services in the UK using our network.

Connecting festival-goers

We’re proud to be the Official Connectivity Partner of the UK's most loved music festivals, keeping friends and family connected on our network.

Keeping everyone.connected

We're helping four million people and businesses cross the digital divide by the end of 2025 - so everyone has access to connectivity and digital skills.