Vodafone UK is rolling out its 5G standalone (5G SA) services to businesses, catering to enterprises of all sizes in select areas. This expansion forms part of Vodafone’s strategy to meet the growing demand among UK companies for advanced 5G capabilities.
Having launched its 5G SA network under the “5G Ultra” brand in 2023, Vodafone now offers the service across 23 cities and over 300 locations throughout the UK. Recent research conducted by Vodafone indicates that 39% of UK businesses are prepared to invest in 5G SA, with 14% planning to do so within the following year.
The survey, which included 462 business customers (24% Vodafone clients), revealed that reliable data connections are the primary motivation for investing in 5G SA. Vodafone also highlighted additional benefits, such as low latency and network slicing.
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Counteracting a Digital Divide
Nick Gliddon, Vodafone UK’s Business Director, emphasized the need for the proposed merger between Vodafone and Three UK to ensure widespread 5G deployment. He stated, “We launched the UK’s first 5G standalone network in 2023. But to bring the benefits to everyone, we need consolidation; we cannot avoid a digital divide without it. Our proposed merger with Three UK is good for customers, good for competition, and good for the country. It will deliver much-needed scale, better enabling us to deliver the benefits of 5G Ultra to all customers, regardless of where they live.”
Vodafone has consistently argued that the 5G rollout in the UK could be jeopardized without the merger. The company has used its 5G investments to persuade the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to approve the merger. The CMA recently extended its decision deadline from October 12 to December 7. Vodafone Group CEO, Margherita Della Valle, also stressed the importance of strong networks for advancements like artificial intelligence (AI), arguing that a catalyst, such as the proposed merger, is essential to achieving nationwide 5G by 2030, a goal highlighted in Labor’s manifesto.
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Vodafone and Three UK’s merger will combine the third- and fourth-largest mobile operators in the UK and is positioned as crucial to competing with industry giants, BT/EE, and Virgin Media O2.
Globally, 5G SA networks are still relatively rare, with only about 50 of the 300 providers offering 5G services having launched standalone networks, according to Ericsson’s June Mobility Report.
Virgin Media O2 launched 5G SA in the UK in 14 cities in February, while BT/EE is expected to follow in 2024. Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer at BT Group, recently stated that significant progress is being made on EE’s 5G SA network.
Ongoing upgrades and testing shall continue to deliver the best 5G SA network in the UK upon launch.
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