Vodafone UK Pro Broadband Gets Super WiFi with Alexa Built-in UPDATE

Mobile operator and ISP Vodafone has today enhanced their existing range of home fixed line “Pro Broadband” (FTTC / FTTP) packages by integrating Amazon’s Alexa AI personal voice assistant into their bundled “Super Wi-Fi Plus” (mesh network) booster device, which has also been upgraded to support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax).

Just to recap. Vodafone’s “Pro” packages, which come at extra cost (starting at £38 per month for 35Mbps), launched in March 2021 (here) and were seen as a response to BT’s similar Halo plans. In short, this added a 4G based mobile broadband back-up service (switches automatically to 4G if your service is interrupted), Super Wi-Fi (a mesh system for guaranteed WiFi in every room), 12 months free Norton 360 Premium antivirus, Wi-Fi Xperts (improved tech support) and a promise to upgrade customers once FTTP becomes available.

Finally, all Pro customers who also have an eligible airtime plan with us can save up to £3 a month on their bill with a Vodafone Together discount (i.e. bundling with a Mobile plan). On top of that there’s also an option to upgrade to “Pro Xtra” plans for £8 a month extra, which includes a 4K Apple TV, unlimited landline and mobile calls, plus no in-contract price rises, as well as Apple TV+ which is included free for 3 months for new Apple TV+ subscribers.

The key change today is that they’ve integrated Alexa and Wi-Fi 6 into their “new” Super WiFi boosters, which among other things gives households the ability to listen to music, check the news, set reminders and activate internet downtime etc. Customers on eligible Pay Monthly Mobile plans can also use Vodafone’s OneNumber service to make and receive calls on their Super WiFi Plus booster with Alexa, using their existing mobile number and allowance.

Max Taylor, Consumer Director at Vodafone UK, said:

“We launched Vodafone Pro Broadband earlier this year to provide customers unbreakable broadband at an unbeatable price. Now we’re going one step further by adding this incredible unique Alexa-integrated broadband service, bringing the latest technology into our customers’ homes, making family life even easier.”

However, Vodafone’s announcement doesn’t clarify whether existing customers with their Super Wi-Fi mesh system will be able to benefit from the new Alexa feature (i.e. via a firmware upgrade), or if it’s only available to new subscribers. We would assume that it’s only for new customers, given the significant device changes, but this is currently being checked, and we’ll report back soon.

In addition, for every new and existing Vodafone Together customer, Vodafone will provide a person in need with a SIM card, loaded with 20GB of data plus free calls and texts each month for up to a year. The ‘Buy One, Give One’ initiative aims to ensure that connectivity reaches those who need it most, with SIMs being distributed through the Trussell Trust’s UK network of food bank centres.

UPDATE 2:12pm

Vodafone has informed us that existing Pro customers can get the new WiFi 6 and Alexa features, but you’ll have to pay an extra £3pm.