Vodafone Limited, trading as Vodafone UK, is a British telecommunications services provider. It was established as a part of the Vodafone Group Plc, the world's second-largest mobile phone company. Vodafone UK is the third-largest mobile network operator in the United Kingdom. The company's inception dates back to 1981 when Racal Electronics Group won its bid for the private sector UK Cellular licence and created Racal Telecomms Division. The same year, a joint venture was formed with Millicom, leading to the birth of 'Racal Vodafone'. The Vodafone name was first unveiled in 1984, and the first cellular telephone call in the United Kingdom was made on the Vodafone network in 1985.
Racal Telecom was demerged from Racal Electronics in 1991, thus forming the Vodafone Group. The company launched the country's first GSM mobile phone network the same year. In June 2023, it was announced that Vodafone UK and Three UK would merge to create Britain's biggest mobile network, subject to regulatory approval. The merger is expected to be finalised before the end of 2024.