Vodafone has launched their new super-fast 5G network across seven cities in the UK on Wednesday, they are hoping to become the “5G destination.”
The mobile operator is to be the first telecoms giant to launch 5G roaming in pain, Italy and Germany by the end of July.
The 5G network has gone live today in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, London and Manchester. Vodafone will expand the 5G network to 19 main cities in the UK by the end of 2019.
Vodafone consumer director Max Taylor said, the telecoms firm are “bringing 5G to more places than anyone else.”
By the end of July, the launch of roaming will reach 20 cities across Europe, adding that Vodafone “won’t charge a premium” for 5G plans as pricing will remain at the same rate as 4G.
Lewis Hamilton Formula One racing driver for Mercedes-AMG Petronas joined Vodafone UK chief executive Nick Jeffery to launch the new 5G network.
The first mobile phone devices that Vodafone will offer are the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G and the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G.
Taylor said launching the new super-fast network is “not about having the most 5G devices but the right ones.”
Troubled Chinese tech firm Huawei have been left out of the 5G launch line-up as the they are part of a government review as to whether they can be allowed into “non-core” parts of the 5G network in the UK.
Industry analyst Kester Mann from CCS Insight said Vodafone’s 5G launch could be seen as a potential turning point for the firm.
Mann said, “After a turbulent recent period, Vodafone finally has its mojo back.
“At long last, there is an air of optimism, positivity and ambition to regain former glories in its emotive home market.
“Vodafone’s move into unlimited data and its decision to price 5G the same as 4G indicate the emergence of a challenger mentality.
“This is in sharp contrast to its traditional premium-focused approach.
“It could spell bad news for Three, which has built a strategy based on challenging industry norms.”
He added: “Coverage will form a lead part of Vodafone’s 5G message as it seeks to differentiate from rival offers.
“In addition to its UK roll-out, roaming in Germany, Spain and Italy will help justify its ‘5G in more places’ claim.”
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