Vodafone has today become the first company in the UK to carry ‘full’ 5G over a commercial network at a site in Greater Manchester.
Live mobile data traffic is now being streamed to and from the internet exclusively over 5G from a site in Salford.
The telecoms group hailed the move as “an important step” in connecting businesses and consumers in MediaCityUK and the surrounding area with 5G technology.
It will allow Vodafone to test the technology using wireless routers ahead of its 5G trial in seven cities this year.
“We are leading the roll out of 5G across the UK, starting with Greater Manchester,” said chief executive Nick Jeffery.
“A further six cities – Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool and London – will shortly receive full 5G too. Next year, we will bring 5G to the Scottish Highlands, Cornwall and the Lake District, among other locations.
Vodafone is now inviting local companies and organisations to register their interest in experiencing the faster data speeds and ultra-responsiveness of 5G at its new ‘Future Ready’ innovation centre and digital incubator when it opens in Spring 2019.
In partnership with the Mayor of Greater Manchester and MediaCityUK, the innovation centre will be equipped with our very latest digital technology.
Jeffery added: “We have worked closely with the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, to help ensure the city is not only an economic powerhouse, but also a digital powerhouse.
“That is why we are making a multi-million pound investment to offer world-class communications to Greater Manchester’s thriving media and tech community, consumers and our own 1,000 or so employees who work there.”
Last month Vodafone conducted the UK’s first holographic call using 5G spectrum from its Manchester office with Steph Houghton MBE, England and Manchester City Women’s Football Captain.