VodafoneThree has signed a £2 billion (US$2.7 billion) contract with Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson and Finland’s Nokia to supply 5G infrastructure over the next decade, the companies announced Monday.

Ericsson, the lead vendor, confirmed its share of the deal is worth 12.5 billion Swedish crowns (US$1.3 billion).

Nokia did not disclose financial details but said the agreement marks its return as a supplier to VodafoneThree in the UK.

Nokia will provide radio access network and core network equipment to about 7,000 sites nationwide, while Ericsson will roll out AI-enabled, energy-efficient 5G hardware and smart antennas to enhance data speeds in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast.

The deal follows the June merger of Vodafone and CK Hutchison’s UK operations, which created VodafoneThree, with plans to invest £11 billion (US$14.8 billion) over 10 years to build one of Europe’s most advanced 5G networks.

The European deal provides a lift for the two Nordic rivals, both of which are grappling with a broader market slowdown and the effect of United States tariffs on their profits.