Connecting you this Christmas on The Nation’s Network

We're here to connect you to the people and things you love on our reliable, award-winning network.

The Nation's Network: Vodafone UK, supporting the nation since 1984. Full verification [PDF: 1.24MB]

Christmas on The Nation’s Network

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:

We're here to keep you connected

Those you trust, trust us to keep them connected. We have connectivity contracts with over 82% of the UK's emergency services and support local community police officers.

We're proud of our everyone.connected campaign, which has helped over two million people cross the digital divide - because we believe connectivity is essential.

Staying connected on The Nation's Network

We're helping you stay connected, whether you're at home or travelling.

We're the UK's largest full fibre provider

At Vodafone, we're continually expanding our full fibre network with our plans offering speeds of up 2.2 Gbps**. Plus, we're now providing WiFi 6 as standard across all of our home broadband plans - supporting connection for up to 100 devices.

We've been keeping more people connected with our Essentials Broadband plan, for customers on government benefits. A great value broadband plan with no in-contract price rises or early termination fees.

Staying connected in the Underground

You'll soon be able to receive 4G and 5G signal throughout the London Underground (including tunnels, stations, and platforms). We're partnering with Transport for London and Boldyn Networks to make it happen.

Currently, you can connect to the internet on all London Underground platforms using Vodafone WiFi.

Join our growing 5G network

Vodafone 5G and 5G Ultra provide faster speeds (around 10 times faster than 4G) and a more reliable connection.

Join our network and do what you love, without the delay.

5G SIM only plans

Most of our SIM only plans come with 5G. Our 5G icon shows which plans are included.

Pay monthly SIM only plans

5G and 5G Ultra phones

Get future ready with a 5G phone. All phones marked with a 5G icon have 5G capabilities.

Pay monthly phones

5G broadband

Get online at home or on the move with mobile broadband - from data-only SIMs to 5G GigaCubes.

Broadband deals

Our journey so far

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 19.8 million customers in the UK.* 


*Vodafone Group Annual Report 2024, detailed additional information: investors.vodafone.com/performance/financial-results-and-presentations

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 - Vodafone launches its digital mobile phone service - the first 
in the UK.

  • 1992 - World’s first SMS spelling out ‘Merry Christmas’ is sent on 3 December by software engineer Neil Papworth to Vodafone director Richard Jarvis. Vodafone signed the world’s first international roaming agreement - prior to that, phones simply did not work when taken abroad.

  • 1999 - Vodafone reaches 5 million customers.

2000s

  • 2000 - Vodafone becomes Manchester United’s new principal sponsor.

  • 2001 - The First 3G voice call is made over Vodafone’s 3G network.

  • 2002 - The Vodafone Group Foundation launches. Vodafone sponsors Ferrari F1.

2010s

  • 2013 - 4G goes live in London, with 80 towns and districts around London live by the end of the year.

  • 2015 - Vodafone launches home broadband and Wi-Fi calling.

  • 2017 - VOXI a new youth targeted mobile offering is launched.

  • 2018 - Vodafone makes world’s first holographic call using 5G. VeryMe Vodafone’s customer loyalty programme is launched.

  • 2019 - Vodafone’s 5G goes live in 15 towns and cities across the UK and 55 towns and cities across Europe.

#BeUnlimited

Vodafone’s unlimited data plans redefined the market for costumers.**

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

2020s

  • 2021 - Vodafone launched everyone.connected, a pledge to help one million people cross the digital divide by the end of 2022. Vodafone launched Vodafone EVO, its best-ever smartphone plan, with unique combination of flexible contract lengths, trade-in, and early upgrade option.

  • 2022 - Vodafone announces new Wimbledon tennis partnership. Vodafone landmark multi-year partnership with Welsh Rugby Union. Vodafone extends its everyone.connected pledge to support 4 million people and businesses. Vodafone now UK’s largest full-fibre broadband provider.

  • 2023 - Vodafone and Glastonbury announce partnership. Vodafone partners with children’s charity NSPCC.

  • 2024 - Vodafone announces new partnership with Scottish Rugby.

#TheNationsNetwork

launches which brings to life Vodafone’s role in connecting the nation to the people and things it loves.

Vodafone celebrates 40 years since the brand launched and unveils new brand platform “The Nations Network”.

The Nation's Network: Vodafone nation's most valuable brand, verified by Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands Report 2023, and supporting the nation since 1984 through to 2024's major summer events. vodafone.co.uk/cs/groups/public/documents/webcontent/nations-network.pdf

Vodafone Firsts: vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/features/vodafone-celebrates-35-years-since-the-first-uk-mobile-phone-call/

5 Million Customers: vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/press-release/30-years-of-mobile-in-business/

4G: vodafone.co.uk/cs/groups/configfiles/documents/contentdocuments/vftst044690.pdf

5G: vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/press-release/largest-5g-network-extended-to-more-places/

Largest full fibre provider: Independently verified by thinkbroadband.com as of 20 March 2024. Terms & verification at: vodafone.co.uk/broadband/verify

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