Vodafone sets 5G trials in seven of Britain's 10 big cities

Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings

20/06/2018 11:49

LONDON, June 20 (Reuters) - Vodafone  VOD.L  said on
Wednesday it will begin testing next-generation 5G mobile
networks in seven of Britain's 10 largest cities later in 2018,
part of a plan to start limited deployments in dense urban areas
in some markets next year.
    Management of global operator Vodafone Group has signalled
it is in no rush to roll out 5G, seeing the potential tenfold
increase in mobile broadband data speeds it offers as a way to
wring greater efficiencies out of network choke points
initially.
    Vodafone UK, Britain's third largest mobile operator, said
it is laying the groundwork for 5G services as a supplement to
existing 4G networks at 40 locations around Birmingham, Bristol,
Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, London and Manchester.  
    It plans to target highly trafficked urban areas including
sports venues, offices, factories and hospitals, as well as some
popular holiday locations, a Vodafone UK spokesman said. 
    Earlier this month, rival mobile operator EE, a unit of BT
Group  BT.L , said it would switch on the UK's first 5G trial
network in East London in October. Vodafone said its latest
trials will kick off between October and December of this year. 
    Vodafone has said its broad programme of 4G network upgrades
undertaken across Europe in recent years, combined with its
strong position in licensed radio airwaves, ensures that it has
capacity to meet traffic demand for years to come.
    The company is waiting until 5G-ready phones and other
devices start to become available in the 2020 timeframe before
it considers fuller 5G deployments. Vodafone has forecast that
5G is unlikely to be adopted by 50 percent of phone users before
the middle of the next decade, or around seven years out.
    

 (Reporting by Eric Auchard; editing by Stephen Addison)
 ((eric.auchard@thomsonreuters.com; +44 7775 028 015; Reuters
Messaging: eric.auchard.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))