VodafoneThree, the newly formed entity resulting from the merger of Vodafone UK and Three UK, has selected Ericsson and Nokia as key partners for its ambitious £11 billion network investment plan. The contracts, valued at over £2 billion, represent one of the UK's largest privately funded infrastructure projects and will span eight years. This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone for Britain's biggest mobile phone network as it begins building what it describes as one of Europe's most advanced standalone 5G networks.

Under the agreement, Ericsson has secured what it describes as a "majority" position in the network build-out. The Swedish vendor will power the majority of VodafoneThree's next-generation UK network through an SEK12.5 billion (£1 billion) deal. Ericsson's responsibilities include supplying the entire core network, radio system products, and software solutions to cover a significant majority of the operator's enhanced radio network. The company will exclusively provide coverage for four UK capitals: London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast.

Nokia will support the project by delivering equipment and services across approximately 7,000 sites, ensuring additional coverage and capacity throughout the UK. While Ericsson and Nokia comprise the majority of VodafoneThree's network build partners, the operator noted that they do not represent the entirety of the network infrastructure project. The rollout is designed to culminate in a greater number of sites than currently operated by either former company individually.

The investment comes as VodafoneThree prepares for future network developments, with Samsung Networks indicating it will be named as the "primary" vendor in Vodafone's Spring 6 tender for network infrastructure upgrades across 15 countries in Europe and Africa. The current UK contracts with Ericsson and Nokia position VodafoneThree to compete at the forefront of Europe's telecom sector while supporting the UK's digital economy through enhanced connectivity and reduced latency for consumers and businesses.

London's Metropolitan Police has reversed its longstanding position on grooming gangs in the capital, acknowledging for the first time that it has multiple active investigations into group-based child sexual exploitation. The shift came after an investigation by MyLondon and The Daily Express challenged official statements from both police leadership and Mayor Sadiq Khan, who had consistently maintained there were "no reports" or "no indication" of Rochdale or Rotherham-style rape gangs operating in London.

The investigation uncovered evidence from four separate His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services reports spanning 2016 to 2025 that documented at least six potential victims of grooming gang abuse. These case studies, which the Mayor of London personally responded to according to public statements, described children as young as 13 being exploited by groups of predatory men. The reports detailed how girls were plied with drugs and alcohol, raped in hotels by multiple perpetrators, and subjected to life-threatening situations.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley revealed to Assembly Members at City Hall that the force now acknowledges a "steady flow" of live multi-offender child sexual exploitation investigations and a "very significant" number of historic cases requiring reinvestigation. The commissioner estimated these reviews would cost "millions of pounds a year, for several years" to properly investigate, contradicting previous assertions that the force had "not seen" such cases in London.

Political figures including Reform UK MP Lee Anderson and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp have criticized the mayor's handling of the situation, with Anderson stating there is "real, credible evidence that grooming gangs exist in London" and Philp alleging that Khan is "facilitating a cover-up." A spokesman for the mayor maintained that Khan has "always been clear that the safety of Londoners is his top priority" and remains "committed to doing all he can to protect children in London."