Acquisition of CK Hutchison’s 49% stake in Vodafone Three Holdings Limited by Vodafone Group plc: notice of final order variation
Updated 16 July 2026
© Crown copyright 2026
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/merger-between-hutchison-3g-uk-holdings-limited-and-vodafone-limited-notice-of-final-order/acquisition-of-ck-hutchisons-49-stake-in-vodafone-three-holdings-limited-by-vodafone-group-plc-notice-of-final-order-variation
1. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has varied a final order pursuant to section 27 of the National Security and Investment Act 2021 (“the Act”). The variation comes into force on 15 July 2026.
2. The Parties who are subject to the order, as varied, are:
a. Vodafone Group plc;
b. Vodafone International Operations Limited;
c. Vodafone UK Trading Holdings Limited;
d. Vodafone Limited; and
e. MergeCo (Vodafone Three Holdings Limited).
3. The original Final Order, which came into force on 9 May 2024, was made to mitigate national security risks arising from the merger between the telecommunications businesses of the Vodafone Group and the CK Hutchison Group in the United Kingdom.
4. On 5 May 2026, Vodafone Group plc entered into an agreement to acquire the 49% stake in the joint venture previously held by the CK Hutchison Group, resulting in Vodafone Group plc attaining 100% sole control.
5. Following this material change in circumstances, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has varied the Final Order to release the CK Hutchison Group entities (CK Hutchison Holdings Limited, CK Hutchison Group Telecom Holdings Limited, Brilliant Design Limited, Hutchison 3G UK Holdings Limited, Hutchison 3G UK Limited) from the obligations of the Final Order upon completion of the transaction.
6. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster considers that the Final Order (as varied) is necessary and proportionate to mitigate the risk to national security relating to:
a. Vodafone Limited’s role as a strategic supplier of services to HM Government, including sensitive services supporting national security; and
b. The security of UK networks and data, including cyber, personnel, and physical security, arising from the ongoing process of integrating complex telecommunications networks.