Vodafone Group used a trading update to emphasise no dust is gathering on a merger of its UK operation with CK Hutchison’s local unit, noting millions already had access to higher 4G data rates and it is well on course to close thousands of kilometres of coverage gaps.

It stated some customers were able to access 4G data rates 40 per cent faster than pre-merger within a fortnight of completion and the companies are focused on boosting network availability as part of a major investment programme planned over the next decade.

A multi-brand strategy is planned, involving the Vodafone, 3, Voxi, Smarty and Talkmobile monikers. Customer service is set to be a lynchpin of the company’s approach.

CEO Margherita Della Valle said Vodafone and 3 are “moving quickly to combine our networks”.

Group-wide revenue in the period to end-June, the opening quarter of Vodafone’s fiscal 2026, rose 3.9 per cent year-on-year to €9.4 billion. Service revenue was up 5.3 per cent to €7.9 billion.

Della Valle said its German unit showed signs of an improving trajectory, though service revenue dropped due to changes to regulations for TV services.

The UK was flat as consumer and wholesale gains were offset by a drop in business sales. The rest of Europe and Turkiye was flat and Africa booked double-digit organic growth.

Vodafone does not provide net profit figures in trading updates, but noted adjusted EBITDAaL grew 4.9 per cent organically and operating profit fell 34.3 per cent to €1 billion.