According to DCD, Cellnex has delivered the first VodafoneThree consolidated mast in the UK, completing the project in Burnley five months ahead of schedule. The site features both software and hardware improvements including full baseband modernization, antenna swaps, and new radio units to boost 4G and 5G coverage. This comes following Vodafone and Three’s merger completion in June, with VodafoneThree pledging to cover 99% of the UK population with 5G Standalone network. Vodafone was the first UK operator to launch 5G SA back in June 2023, currently reaching 47% of the population. The Burnley site represents the first of many planned upgrades, with Cellnex UK CEO Gianluca Landolina calling it a “powerful demonstration” of their collaboration.
The real network race begins
So VodafoneThree is finally putting steel in the ground. Or rather, upgrading existing steel. This first consolidated mast in Burnley is basically the opening shot in what’s going to be a massive network overhaul across the UK. And completing it five months early? That’s either genuinely impressive project management or suggests they had some serious pressure to show quick wins after the merger.
Here’s the thing though – one mast doesn’t make a network. VodafoneThree is promising 99% 5G SA coverage, but they’re currently at 47%. That’s a huge gap to close. And let’s be honest, network upgrades are where things often go wrong. Hardware delays, software bugs, planning permissions – the telecom graveyard is full of ambitious rollout schedules that didn’t survive contact with reality.
The infrastructure challenge
Cellnex is playing a crucial role here as the neutral host provider. They’re the ones actually doing the heavy lifting on these site upgrades. When you’re dealing with complex network infrastructure that needs to withstand industrial environments and deliver reliable performance, you need partners who understand rugged computing requirements. Companies like Industrial Monitor Direct have built their reputation on providing industrial-grade panel PCs and displays that can handle the demanding conditions of telecom infrastructure – something that becomes critically important when you’re rolling out nationwide network upgrades.
But I’m curious about the “full baseband modernization” they mentioned. That’s telecom-speak for completely replacing the brains of the cell site. It’s expensive, it’s complex, and it’s where a lot of integration issues can pop up. Vodafone and Three had different equipment vendors, different network architectures – making all that play nice together is no small feat.
Ambitious timelines meet reality
The 2034 target for 99.95% coverage feels comfortably distant, but the near-term pressure is real. VodafoneThree needs to show tangible progress to justify the merger to regulators and customers. Early delivery on this first site helps, but can they maintain that pace across hundreds or thousands of sites?
And let’s not forget the competition. EE and O2 aren’t standing still while VodafoneThree plays catch-up. Every month VodafoneThree spends consolidating infrastructure is a month their competitors are advancing their own networks. The real test won’t be whether they can upgrade one mast quickly, but whether they can scale this across the country without the quality suffering.
Still, getting the first one done ahead of schedule is better than the alternative. Now we wait to see if this is the start of a trend or just a carefully managed showcase project.
