Vodafone has activated 5G sites with live data in three cities and announced plans to roll out services to 19 towns and cities across the UK during 2019.
The operator has launched 5G test sites in Bristol, Cardiff, and Liverpool that are currently streaming 5G mobile data. Antennas and equipment have also been installed at locations in Birmingham, Glasgow, and London as those sites prepare to go live.
After these initial activations, Vodafone plans to extend 5G coverage this year to Birkenhead, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Guildford, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Reading, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent, Warrington, and Wolverhampton.
Early 5G devices have been announced but are not yet widely available to consumers, so it will take time before Vodafone’s networks are tested at scale. Industry observers expect a 5G version of Huawei’s flagship P-series smartphone to be unveiled soon, which should provide a more affordable option compared with some premium foldable models.
Vodafone was the first UK operator to carry 5G traffic over a commercial mobile network in October 2018 from a site in Salford, Greater Manchester. The company says its 5G network aims to deliver speeds roughly ten times faster than 4G in many scenarios.
Scott Petty, CTO of Vodafone UK, commented:
“Our multi-billion-pound network investment and leading position in setting global standards will ensure our customers have the very latest 5G releases and technology.
5G will also usher in a new era where everyone and everything is better connected, whether you are running a hotel in Portsmouth or broadcasting live at MediaCity in Salford.”
Among other UK carriers, EE – the country’s largest operator – says it will launch 5G in 16 cities in 2019, beginning with areas across London, Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Belfast. Subsequent rollouts are planned for parts of Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool, Glasgow, Hull, Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester, Coventry, and Bristol.
O2 has signaled a more cautious approach, starting 5G rollouts in London, Cardiff, Belfast, and Edinburgh this year, with additional cities expected to come online from 2020 when compatible devices are more common.
Three has stated it will deliver 5G in 2019 as well, though it has not yet provided details on its initial rollout locations.
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