Vodafone vs EE, O2 and Three: worldwide roaming, a lifetime warranty and price rises

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Roaming in 84 destinations worldwide on its Premier plans, a Lifetime Warranty on phones bought directly from it, and a £2.50 April price rise you know about before you sign: that's the case Vodafone makes to new customers. It has been part of British mobile life since the UK's first mobile call was made on its network on 1 January 1985, and today it sells phones, SIM only plans, broadband and TV online and in its own stores.

In 2025 Vodafone and Three merged to form VodafoneThree, which owns both. The brands still run separately, with their own plans, prices, shops and customer service, and you still need a PAC to switch between them. The change you'll notice is the network: Vodafone and Three customers now automatically use each other's masts where coverage is better, at no extra cost.

We've compared Vodafone with EE, O2 and Three using each provider's own website, checked on 9 October 2026.

Network: what each one claims

Each network measures coverage differently, so here are their claims in their own words:

• Vodafone: runs on what it calls The Nation's Network, the combined Vodafone and Three network, which it says is the UK's biggest by number of masts. It says it has coverage in 99% of UK homes and covers 96% of the UK's landmass, and VodafoneThree has committed to spend £11 billion on the network by 2034.
• EE: says it has been rated the UK's best mobile network for a record 13th year in a row, citing RootMetrics testing for speed and reliability.
• O2: says its network covers over 99% of the population.
• Three: says its 4G network covers 99% of the UK population outdoors. It shares Vodafone's combined network.

Coverage varies street by street, so try your postcode in each coverage checker first.

5G and 5G+

All Vodafone pay monthly SIM only plans include 5G, except the cheaper 4G-only Basics range. Eligible plans add 5G+ (5G Standalone), and Vodafone says it has the UK's fastest 5G+ network, as awarded by Net Check.

Its new SuperMobile plans add a 5G+ FastTrack lane with up to 4x faster speeds than standard plans, guaranteed minimum download speeds and Secure Net Mobile. EE has a similar Fast Lane on its Full Works Plus plan, and O2 offers 5G+ too.

Roaming

Every Vodafone pay monthly plan includes roaming in Zone A, which covers the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man, Iceland and Norway. Plus plans add 52 European destinations and Premier plans cover 84 destinations worldwide, including the USA, Australia, Turkey and Mexico, with a 25GB fair use limit. On other plans you pay a daily fee or buy a European roaming pass.

If you travel beyond Europe, that worldwide option is the one to look at. O2 includes roaming in its 48-destination Europe Zone (up to 25GB) on its tariffs, and Three's advertised unlimited SIM currently comes with 12GB of roaming in 49 European destinations.

Annual price rises in pounds and pence

Since January 2025, Ofcom's rules have required providers to set out in-contract price rises in pounds and pence when you sign up. Here's what each charges:

• Vodafone: £2.50 a month every 1 April on pay monthly airtime and data plans, £1.50 on Basics plans and £3.50 on home broadband. The rise doesn't apply to Device Plans, so the phone part of your bill stays fixed.
• EE: £2.50 a month every 31 March on mobile plans during the minimum term.
• O2: £2.50 a month every April on voice plans, and 75p on data-only and smartwatch plans.
• Three: £1.80, £1.90 or £2.30 a month every April, depending on how much data your plan has.

Vodafone shows future prices next to every plan. Its 24-month SIM only plans start at £16 a month for 1GB, rising to £18.50 on 1 April 2027 and £21 on 1 April 2028. The 24-month Unlimited Plus plan, with roaming in 52 European destinations, is £26 a month, rising to £28.50 and then £31.

Contract flexibility and spreading the cost

Vodafone sells SIM only plans on 24-month, 12-month and 30-day contracts, and you can upgrade from three months in. For phones, Vodafone EVO splits your bill into two parts: a Phone Plan for the handset, which you can spread over 24 to 36 months (up to 48 on selected devices), and a separate 24-month Airtime Plan for your data, minutes and texts.

Pay the phone off early and you can keep your Airtime Plan on a 30-day contract or leave. With Vodafone Xchange, you can send your phone back in good condition a year before your Phone Plan ends and move to a new one. Three's Your Way plans offer similar flexibility.

Perks and looking after your phone

Vodafone's VeryMe Rewards live in the My Vodafone app and are open to pay monthly and Pay as you go Plus customers. They include cheaper ODEON tickets, supermarket vouchers and VeryMe Days Out, with up to 56% off hundreds of UK attractions through Kids Pass.

The perk Vodafone puts most weight on is its Lifetime Service Promise. Phones bought directly from Vodafone get a Lifetime Warranty against manufacturer's defects while you have a pay monthly Airtime Plan, plus free battery health checks and replacements for up to three years. Vodafone says no other UK network offers both.

Where the others have the edge

• European roaming on every plan: O2 includes its Europe Zone on its tariffs. On Vodafone, you need a Plus or Premier plan to roam in Europe without paying extra.
• Smaller price rises: Three's annual rises are £1.80 to £2.30 a month, against £2.50 at Vodafone, EE and O2.
• Network awards: EE's 13 years in a row of RootMetrics best network titles carry weight if speed and reliability are your priority.
• Entertainment and tickets: EE bundles extras such as Netflix and Apple One into some plans, and O2 Priority gives 48-hour ticket presales.

Who Vodafone suits best

Vodafone is a strong choice if you want wide coverage, travel outside Europe, or plan to keep a phone for a long time and value the warranty and battery replacements. Households putting several plans on one account can also save with Vodafone Together.

Your questions answered

Are Vodafone and Three the same company now?

Both are owned by VodafoneThree, but they still operate as separate brands. Plans, prices, shops and customer service are separate, and you need a PAC to switch between them.

Can I leave a Vodafone contract early?

Yes, though you may pay an early termination fee during the minimum term. On EVO, paying off your Phone Plan releases you from your Airtime Plan.

Can I buy from Vodafone in a shop?

Yes. Vodafone has stores across the UK, and you can also order online and collect in store. Online orders can be returned for a full refund within 14 calendar days.

Ways to save at Vodafone

• Switch by 14 October: switchers get a £100 bill credit on any 24-month SIM only plan.
• Broadband leaving fees: broadband switchers can get up to £300 towards their old provider's fees.
• Add the family: extra plans are cheaper with Vodafone Together.

Browse Vodafone's deals and offers page, read our pick of the six best Vodafone deals this week, and find every current offer on our Vodafone voucher codes page.

Sources: Vodafone, Vodafone SIM only, The Nation's Network, Vodafone and Three merger FAQs, Vodafone roaming, Vodafone price changes, Vodafone EVO, VeryMe Rewards, EE network, EE price changes, O2 network, O2 EU roaming, O2 price changes, Three network, Three price increase, Wikipedia

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