VodafoneThree to offshore UK network jobs to India
Summary
VodafoneThree has told staff in its UK Network Development division that planning and optimisation roles will be offshored to India under new contracts with Ericsson and Nokia. The company says the change is intended to “accelerate delivery” of a standalone 5G network and to meet Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) commitments following the Vodafone–Three merger; the move forms part of a reported £2bn partnership with Ericsson and Nokia.
Employees were told TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment) regulations would not apply because the impacted activity will be based in India. Collective consultation began on 23 October; contractors are due to leave between the end of November and December, and permanent staff by the end of January 2026. Insiders estimate at least 80 roles are affected and around 55 permanent staff attended a recent briefing.
Key Points
- VodafoneThree plans to transfer planning and optimisation network roles to India under Ericsson and Nokia contracts.
- Management says TUPE does not apply because the activity will be based in India.
- Contractors to depart between end of November and December; permanent staff expected to leave by end of January 2026.
- Insiders estimate at least 80 roles impacted; roughly 55 permanent staff were on a recent call.
- Change tied to a reported £2bn partnership to build a standalone 5G network and to meet CMA post‑merger commitments.
- Employees and unions have expressed anger, arguing merger promises of UK jobs are being undermined by cost‑saving moves.
Why should I read this?
Short and blunt — if you care about UK telecom jobs, network delivery or how big mergers actually land on staff, this is worth your ten minutes. It’s a clear example of post‑merger offshoring that explicitly excludes TUPE, so HR, unions, policymakers and telecom professionals should pay attention.