Oracle Plans $45–$50 Billion Funding Push in 2026 to Expand Cloud and AI Infrastructure 
Sony Q3 Profit Jumps on Gaming and Image Sensors, Full-Year Outlook Raised 
FDA Targets Hims & Hers Over $49 Weight-Loss Pill, Raising Legal and Safety Concerns 
SpaceX Seeks FCC Approval for Massive Solar-Powered Satellite Network to Support AI Data Centers 
SpaceX Prioritizes Moon Mission Before Mars as Starship Development Accelerates 
Prudential Financial Reports Higher Q4 Profit on Strong Underwriting and Investment Gains 
Tencent Shares Slide After WeChat Restricts YuanBao AI Promotional Links 
OpenAI Expands Enterprise AI Strategy With Major Hiring Push Ahead of New Business Offering 
Nvidia Confirms Major OpenAI Investment Amid AI Funding Race 
TSMC Eyes 3nm Chip Production in Japan with $17 Billion Kumamoto Investment 
Nintendo Shares Slide After Earnings Miss Raises Switch 2 Margin Concerns 
Nvidia, ByteDance, and the U.S.-China AI Chip Standoff Over H200 Exports 
Jensen Huang Urges Taiwan Suppliers to Boost AI Chip Production Amid Surging Demand 
Nasdaq Proposes Fast-Track Rule to Accelerate Index Inclusion for Major New Listings 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
Anthropic Eyes $350 Billion Valuation as AI Funding and Share Sale Accelerate 
CK Hutchison Launches Arbitration After Panama Court Revokes Canal Port Licences 
VodafoneThree, the new entity formed from the merger of Vodafone UK (LON:VOD) and Three UK, has signed a £2 billion ($2.7 billion) contract with Ericsson and Nokia Oyj (ST:NOKIA) to expand and modernize its mobile network. The deal is part of the company’s broader £11 billion investment plan aimed at building one of Europe’s most advanced standalone 5G networks.
Under the agreement, Ericsson will play the leading role by deploying its radio access network (RAN) across 10,000 sites in the UK while also upgrading core network components. Nokia will support the project by delivering equipment and services at 7,000 sites, ensuring additional coverage and capacity.
This major investment demonstrates VodafoneThree’s commitment to delivering faster, more reliable, and more extensive 5G connectivity to millions of UK customers. The rollout is designed to significantly improve coverage and network resilience, boosting speeds and reducing latency for consumers and businesses.
The £11 billion decade-long infrastructure plan underscores VodafoneThree’s ambition to compete at the forefront of Europe’s telecom sector. By investing heavily in standalone 5G technology, the company aims to drive innovation across industries, enhance digital connectivity, and support the UK’s digital economy.
The partnership with Ericsson and Nokia not only strengthens VodafoneThree’s technical capabilities but also positions the operator to meet the growing demand for high-performance mobile services. As 5G adoption accelerates, this large-scale upgrade will play a crucial role in shaping the future of mobile communications in the UK.
