UPDATE: Stolen network equipment causes Vodafone UK network outage

The theft of specialist equipment has prevented thousands of users from accessing the Vodafone network.

Overnight, thieves stole specialist network equipment and IT hardware after breaking down a door at the Vodafone exchange facility in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

The damage has left thousands of Vodafone users unable to make calls or send text messages since the early hours of the morning.

A Vodafone spokesman anticipates "several hundred thousand" users have been affected in the "M4 corridor area".

Internet forums and social networking sites are flooded with complaints as users have been unable to use Vodafone's network for hours.

The spokesman confirmed 2G and 3G voice services have been restored but Vodafone is still working to restore voice-mail and SMS services.