A third 3G mobile operator is set to join Mobile Broadband Network Limited (MBNL). MBNL was setup to administer a 3G network sharing deal between T-Mobile and 3 UK last year. Combining their 3G access networks ( the mobile masts and infrastructure that connects to each operator's separate core network ) T-Mobile and 3 UK created Europe's most extensive high-speed downlink packet access ( HSDPA ) network.

ZDNet UK report that Orange will join MBNL in the very near future. It is believed that Orange will make available a few thousand of its masts which will come under the control of MBNL. Network sharing in this way will enable costs to be cut and result in pooled resources for better network coverage. ZDNet UK say "the continuation of MBNL was a condition of the European Commission's approval of the merger of T-Mobile UK and Orange UK, under the auspices of another joint venture".

The MBNL ownership is now 50% owned 3 UK and 50% shared by Orange and T-Mobile .  Orange and T-Mobile merged last year and now offer their services under the brand Everything Everywhere with over 30 million customers.