Vodafone sets launch date for 5G network that lets you download HD films in SECONDS
5G will be available in seven UK cities in July
VODAFONE will be switching on its 5G network in seven UK cities on July 3 2019.
The company says that this will enable its customers to get the "fastest mobile speeds ever".
This announcement makes Vodafone the first UK operator to announce a 5G switch on date.
The service won't cost customers any more than 4G but will offer faster data and longer battery life
Vodafone UK CEO Nick Jeffery said: “We started our 5G journey more than three years ago. We led the way in setting 5G standards to ensure phones and networks work well together.
"We upgraded our masts to be able to take 5G without disruption and we were the first UK company to test 5G over our all-fibre core fixed and mobile network."
He continued: "This is important. It means we can today announce the largest launch of 5G in the UK and be the first to announce 5G roaming. It means that UK businesses can lead the world in adopting 5G to boost productivity and attract investment.
"It means consumers can get the fastest mobile speeds ever, and it means that our public sector will be able to adopt new services to improve healthcare, social services and housing.”
The first seven cities that will receive the Vodafone 5G are Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, and London.
More cities will get 5G later this year including Birkenhead, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Guildford, Newbury, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Reading, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent, Warrington and Wolverhampton.
However, not that many smartphone devices can support 5G at the moment so people who want to see the immediate benefit might have to buy a new device.
Customers will need devices like the Samsung S10 5G and Huawei Mate 20 X 5G, which will be available to pre-order later this month.
The Huawei Mate X and a 5G home router called the 5G Gigacube will be available this summer.
These handsets will all work using 4G until the 5G is turned on.
What is 5G?
The next-generation mobile tech is almost ready to upgrade your smartphone...
- There is no official definition of 5G but it is thought to be similar to its predecessors, 3G and 4G.
- It will be a wireless connection built specifically to give devices – like your mobile phone or tablet – a faster and more reliable internet connection.
- The “G” in 5G stands for “generation” – that’s why it is known as “next-generation technology”.
- Companies such as BT, Vodafone and Nokia have also given the development of 5G their support.
- The Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) alliance states that for something to be considered 5G it must offer faster data rates.
- NGMN is hoping for speeds of 20Gbps and one millisecond latency.
- This would provide download speeds which are 40 times faster than 4G.
- NGMN believes 5G would provide an era of being able to download files in the blink of an eye - vital to the success of smart homes and self-driving cars.
- Tests conducted by 5G modem-maker Qualcomm, on the other hand, showed speeds eight times faster than 4G.
- Qualcomm's trials showed an improvement in browsing download speeds from a 4G average of 56 megabits-per-second, to more than 490 megabits-per-second for 5G.
In other news, a report has warned that Huawei could switch off our household appliances if it builds 5G network in the UK.
Apple’s ultra-fast 5G ‘iPhone 12’ might be released in 2020 after all.
And, if your current internet connection is too slow, here's eight easy tricks give you a quick speed boost.
Are you excited for 5G? Let us know in the comments...
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