Technology

Posted on July 3, 2019 by staff

Vodafone switches on 5G network in seven cities

Technology

UK telecoms giant Vodafone has today switched on its 5G network in seven cities across the UK.

The ‘switch on’ was marked with a PR stunt in which the UK’s first ‘haptic transfer’ was conducted over 5G.

Two players from Wasps rugby team were able to run a training session despite being more than 100 miles apart, with the impact of a rugby tackle made by Will Rowlands at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry transferred via 5G to teammate Juan de Jongh on stage in London.

Juan, in a specially developed haptic Tesla suit, was able to feel the force of the tackle in real time thanks to Vodafone’s high speed 5G connection.

“5G is a game-changer for the economy and UK businesses,” said Anne Sheehan, business director of Vodafone UK.

“We are committed to helping our customers take advantage of this technology by making it widely available in the UK and through roaming. We want to help UK businesses become global leaders and 5G will play an important role in achieving that aim.”

Vodafone also announced plans for its new Vodafone Business Unlimited product, a series of new plans for SMEs which provides ‘unlimited data’ and 5G at the same price as 4G.