Vodafone has reiterated its commitment to deploying its 5G Standalone (5G SA) technology in rural Wales as a component of its proposed merger with Three UK.
This commitment is driven by research indicating that 50% of properties in rural constituencies in Wales currently lack 5G coverage.
5G SA Benefits
While Vodafone's existing 5G and 5G SA services are already accessible in areas across Wales such as Cardiff, Newport, and Swansea, the proposed merger would provide the required scale to expand 5G technology to additional areas of the principality. Consequently, rural Wales stands to benefit in several ways.
Drones utilizing 5G SA could play a crucial role in delivering essential information to first responders and care teams in remote or inaccessible areas during emergencies like fires or traffic collisions. Vodafone’s commitment to incorporating 5G SA into every hospital by 2030 will also enable the ‘hospital of the future’ model to be rolled out, saving the NHS across the UK up to GBP 1 billion a year, which is equivalent to 15,400 full-time nursing posts. Meanwhile, councils could reduce spending on social care by up to 5% as a result.
Farmers can harness new innovations like soil sensors to enhance productivity, minimize environmental impact, and foster growth. Research found that 5G-enabled sensors could help a farm to reduce its chemical usage by 30%, as well as improve efficiency by 15%. The same research also highlighted that tools such as 5G-connected weather stations could help farmers plan irrigation schedules, leading to an approximate 30% decrease in the farm’s water consumption.
In the education sector, 5G SA offers advances in virtual classroom applications, enabling young people living in rural or remote communities to access specialist teaching.
Transforming Broadcasting
Andrea Donà, Chief Network Officer, Vodafone UK, said, “We know that access to connectivity is important for everyone, but this research reveals the extent to which rural Wales is experiencing digital exclusion, showing exactly why we need to accelerate the roll out of 5G infrastructure. Through our proposed merger with Three UK, we [will] be able to help close the rural digital divide in Wales, helping these communities to take advantage of 5G and enjoy the same benefits it brings to their urban neighbors.”
The commitment was announced during an event held at the Principality Stadium earlier in April. At this event, Vodafone also drew attention to new research conducted with Development Economics, revealing that 5G-enabled technology could contribute a total of GBP 139 million per season to the UK rugby economy by 2029. This represents a substantial 103% increase, which is particularly significant given the financial challenges faced by many professional clubs at present.
New broadcasting opportunities are set to transform the fan experience, with VR headsets in fan zones leveraging a dedicated slice of 5G to provide real-time viewing experiences, potentially boosting annual ticket sales by up to GBP 28 million by 2029. Additionally, 5G technology promises smoother journeys for fans, particularly those traveling by rail, with estimated time savings of 25,000 hours on gameday travel.
Furthermore, the adoption of 5G-powered innovations is poised to make rugby matches more environmentally friendly. Through smarter lighting, refrigeration, and ventilation for stadium vendors, carbon emissions could be slashed by around 450 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per season by 2029. This reduction is equivalent to powering 14.1 million household TVs tuned in to a full rugby match, signaling a greener future for the sport.
Moreover, the proposed merger has the potential to extend 4G coverage to over 93% of the Welsh landmass by 2027, with subsequent plans for a transition to 5G by 2034.
