Overview

Hutchison 3G UK Limited, trading as Three UK, is a British telecommunications and internet service provider. Three launched in 2003 as the UK’s first 3G-only network, today Three has 9.5 million customers. It currently provides 3G, 4G, and 5G services through its network infrastructure. Three also sells devices, handsets, and contracts through independent and online retailers. Three UK is part of the CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd group of companies which has mobile operations in 11 countries. The company employs more than 4,800 people across its offices in Maidenhead, Glasgow, and Reading and our 311 retail stores. Three launched 5G in August 2019 and also has the UK’s leading 5G spectrum holdings with more than the rest of the industry combined. Three is the only operator able to meet the International Telecoms Union (ITU) 2020 standard for full 5G services. Additionally, Three was voted the Best Network for Data at the Mobile Choice Consumer Awards, as well as Best Network for Roaming by uSwitch, and the Best High Street Retailer at the Mobile Industry Awards. In 2022, it reported revenue of £2.52 billion. In 2023, Vodafone UK struck a deal with Three UK to merge their UK businesses, subject to approval by the competition regulator. The combined company would have 27 million customers, which would make them the largest mobile network in the UK, surpassing O2 which currently has 24 million customers, and EE which has 20 million.