Telefonica UK (O2) and Vodafone have agreed non-binding heads of terms to expand their existing network sharing partnership to include 5G at join radio network sites. This would allow the operators to deploy 5G faster and provide services to more customers over a wider geographic area, at lower cost.
Telefonica and Vodafone will explore options to enhance CTIL, their 50/50 passive tower infrastructure JV, and to deliver a shared, future-proof fibre transmission network. They will also look to extend greater network autonomy in larger cities by deploying their own separate radio equipment on around 2,500 sites, which represents around 15 percent of sites outside London.
The plans outlined in the non-binding heads of terms are subject to agreeing detailed terms, signing legally-binding agreements and securing regulatory approvals.
