Three UK has chosen Ericsson to develop its next-generation cloud-native core network, setting the stage for the largest such network in Europe. This cutting-edge infrastructure will more than triple Three’s core capacity to 9 terabits per second (Tbps), a major leap designed to handle soaring data demands.
Powered by Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core and supported by Ericsson Cloud Native Infrastructure, the new core network will leverage Three’s nationwide distributed data centre network. This approach brings the core network closer to customers, delivering enhanced latency and improved performance.
The infrastructure is already being deployed in Three’s data centres, with partial operations expected by the end of the year. A phased migration will follow, carefully transitioning all traffic over the next few years.
In December 2024, data usage on Three’s network exceeded 2Tbps, doubling in just over two years. This rapid growth is largely fuelled by the increasing popularity of streaming, gaming, and home broadband services. In 2024, the average monthly data usage per customer reached 31.5GB, an 18% increase year-on-year and more than twice the national average.
Iain Milligan, Chief Network Officer at Three, emphasised the importance of this upgrade:
“The last few years have seen an explosion in data usage, with peak-time traffic doubling in just over two years due to increased demand for home broadband, streaming, and gaming. Our partnership with Ericsson ensures that our network can meet the growing data needs of our customers now and into the future.”
Katherine Ainley, CEO of Ericsson UK & Ireland, shared her excitement:
“We’re proud to support Three UK in this critical phase of their network transformation. Our partnership is rooted in trust and innovation, and this project marks a significant milestone. Together, we’re building a next-generation core network that can meet the rising data demands of Three’s customers.”
With this transformative project, Three UK and Ericsson are paving the way for enhanced mobile experiences, ensuring the network is prepared for the future.
