Vodafone UK has announced the launch date for its 5G network and will become the first operator to provide 5G roaming across four European countries.
The operator will activate its 5G service for both consumers and businesses on 3 July 2019. Initially, the network will be available in seven major cities across the UK.
These are the first cities to receive 5G:
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Bristol
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Birmingham
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Cardiff
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London
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Glasgow
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Manchester
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Liverpool
An additional 12 cities are scheduled to go live later in the year: Birkenhead, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Guildford, Newbury, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Reading, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent, Warrington and Wolverhampton.
John Delaney, Associate VP of Mobility at IDC, noted Vodafone’s clear ambition to lead the UK 5G market. He warned that the operator is likely determined to avoid repeating the early 4G market dynamic, when EE gained a significant head start and captured a large share of 4G customers before other providers launched. To prevent a similar outcome, Vodafone has invested heavily to secure early access to spectrum, equipment and compatible devices needed for 5G deployment.
Vodafone is introducing several customer-focused features to encourage uptake. First, this summer it will be the first operator in the world to support 5G roaming across four European markets: the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain.
Second, Vodafone will not charge extra for 5G compared with existing 4G plans. In many markets where 5G is already available, operators have imposed premium pricing; for example, Verizon in the United States adds an extra $10 per month for 5G access over standard 4G plans. Vodafone’s decision to include 5G at no additional cost contrasts with other operators’ indications that they will add a price premium for 5G services and underlines Vodafone’s aim to lead the UK market.
On the device front, Vodafone plans to offer four 5G-capable products in the near term. The Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 is scheduled to launch first. It will be followed by the Huawei Mate 20 X and the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, both available for preorder later in the month. The Huawei Mate X, one of the first foldable handsets, is expected to arrive in summer.
Alongside handsets, Vodafone will introduce a 5G home broadband solution called the 5G Gigacube. The router and handset pricing will be revealed next week.
Although the UK has waited longer than the US for its first national 5G networks, Vodafone’s rollout promises broader city coverage, a range of devices, and no extra tariff for consumers. This move sets a clear precedent in the UK market, and it will be important to watch how competing operators respond to Vodafone’s competitive launch strategy.
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