Vodafone Launch Standalone 5G Ultra Mobile Service for UK Customers UPDATE
Vodafone has today announced that they’ve become the first mobile operator in the UK to launch a package for customers based off their new 5G Standalone (SA) technology – called ‘5G Ultra‘, which promises faster mobile broadband speeds and better performance in other areas. But there are a few caveats too.
Unlike existing Non-Standalone (NSA) based 5G networks, which dominate the UK market but rely on some slower 4G infrastructure, so-called Standalone (SA) networks are pure end-to-end 5G networks that can also deliver improvements such as ultra-low latency times (fast), better upload speeds, network slicing capabilities, better support for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, increased reliability and security.
However, there are a few caveats to Vodafone’s new 5G Ultra package, not least of which is the fact that they’ve so far only deployed their new 5G SA network across several locations, including London, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff, with more cities to come. Curiously, Vodafone’s website also states that it will only be available to those with a monthly plan bought from 24th February 2023 onwards.
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In addition, it’s currently only usable with Samsung S21 and S22 Smartphones, with more to follow in July as more devices become 5G Ultra compatible. Otherwise, the 5G Ultra upgrade will come “at no extra cost“, with the service being phased in for customers (assuming you have a compatible device). At launch, Customers with an eligible 5G Ultra device are also told to expect the following features:
- Greater 5G coverage – Over 1 million more customers in the UK can connect to Vodafone’s 5G network.
- Up to 25% longer battery life – with up to 3 hours of improved battery performance.
- Fast 5G speeds – Experience amazingly fast 5G speeds – around 10 times faster than 4G.
- Connect in busy places – Make a call or use your data even when it’s busy.
At the time of writing, we’re still a little bit unsure of how 5G SA is able to deliver greater coverage than regular 5G, which requires more clarification. On top of that, Vodafone clearly aren’t quite sure how much of a performance benefit it will deliver either, since they keep mentioning both 5G and 5G Ultra speeds together (e.g. “5G and 5G Ultra have average speeds of 150 – 200 Mbps and can reach up to 1 Gbps“).
As for the claimed battery life improvements, this most likely reflects the fact that a 5G SA network is more efficient, at least while you’re connected to it in an area of strong signal reception. Finally, the mention of being able to connect in “busy places” is just a reference to the extra capacity that is being given to their new network.
Max Taylor, Vodafone Consumer Director, said:
“Today our reliable, award-winning network gets even better with the launch of Vodafone 5G Ultra. Our customers in London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Cardiff will be the first to experience the fast speeds, longer lasting battery life and even more reliable connectivity 5G Ultra brings.”
In addition, customers will shortly be able to benefit from the new 5G Ultra service at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships too. Masts in the Wimbledon area have been upgraded to deliver the new service, including ones which provide coverage to the courts and the surrounding outdoor fan zones.
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Vodafone added that the 5G Ultra service will also be available to Small Office and Home Office (SOHO) business customers. Finally, the operator highlighted how the recently proposed merger with Three UK would mean the merged company would have the scale to deliver 5G SA to “more than 99% of the UK’s populated areas by 2034“, delivered via an £11bn investment in the network over the next decade.
UPDATE 5:01pm
We queried how 5G Ultra was able to reach 1 million additional customers, and Vodafone informed us that this was because their 900MHz spectrum band is only activated on the SA network. The catch for their 1 million figure is that they will apply this to NSA 5G “further down the line” too. So it’s true to say that only 5G Ultra customers will benefit from the expanded coverage, but that is just for a limited time. Cheeky.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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Where are all the EE fans? Didn’t get this out first, are EE losing touch?
(this was a joke)
As a Vodafone customer happy with overall indoor coverage. 5g speed is slow comparing EE and three uk.
I am EE fan. Left 3 years ago because of poor indoor coverage and voice calls quality.
You’ve got an issue, Horse!
Are there people that are fans of their phone provider? A utility alongside gas and/or electricity, water and broadband if not via mobile, surely?
Yeah, actually, there probably are.
Never mind.
@XGS is On, don’t forget the millitant giffgaff (shitshit) users.
XGS. Yes. I love my network (three), I don’t care if it makes everyone on here seethe for some reason (seriously, the hate for three is immense). Nobody else gives me 650mbit 5G with 100mbit upload and for £18 a month. EE can’t even make an unlimited “unlimited” contract.
Yet still Vodafone still don’t even have 5G in the city of Norwich.
Come over to Southampton, 5G from VF everywhere (unlike EE and o2)
@jamie I agree, similar here.
Vodafone’s offering here consists of; zero 5G, shocking 4G, and yet they still intend to turn 3G off ‘on schedule’ which is nice. Fair enough if all you want is calls and texts, for data use though – not so much.
None where I live either. Every other network has 5G here (although O2 might as well have not bothered to be honest). No Vodafone 5G though.
Still waiting for Vodafone 5G here at all…
I’m with EE and agree they are good. Just annoying when your let down indoors (especially in London) when you pay a premium to be on EE.
EE not good indoors? But all the comments I read here tell me EE is the best network in the universe.
from my own experience EE is rubbish in rural South too
Sure: https://www.speedtest.net/result/i/5658463722
May want to slow it down a touch, Vodafone.
Not here. All fine with Vodafone
https://www.speedtest.net/result/14813156835
Oh I know it’s not rubbish everywhere. But it is especially bad where I live. I have been complaining for over 5 years but they won’t do a thing.
What I would like them to do is focus on improving their network for everyone, especially people who live in poorly served areas, and not go for click-baity nonsense like 5G Ultra or whatever that only works on devices very few people have.
All good in London, inside my house with a iphone 14
https://www.speedtest.net/result/i/5622629671
https://www.speedtest.net/result/i/5580094282
https://www.speedtest.net/result/i/5604186262
Always good speeds afternoon or morning’s.
Where’s that, Jordan?
Had to move away from Vodafone because I could only get 3G (and sometimes weak, slow 4G) inside my flat in Brixton.
I know Vodafone has good areas, but I feel even Three is now a better choice for those with 5G devices. They’re cheaper too.
Anon, i use VOXI so its much cheaper then straight from Vodafone and i am in London, inside a house, not even outside.
Three is really bad in my area as i use to be with them, what makes three so bad is that,
Three has to many people on the network so the speeds n ping is really bad. I tested it many times.
I use an Iphone 14 pro max, so hopefully i get this update to use 5G SA as they is a tower very close to my house, i can see it from my window xD
Given that it works on all plans taken out since Feb ’23, I did wonder if VOXI customers also get the benefit of 5G Standalone on the Vodafone network (or “5G Ultra” as vodafone are calling it). Maybe someone with a Samsung S22 and a VOXI SIM can check for carrier update and check the 5G Standalone switch in Mobile Data settings.
Sounds good for those using 5G for home broadband, assuming there will be modem/routers released to use it of course.
Great news! Will leave Slow2 for Voda or EE when my contract expires, whichever one offers the best deal for the IPhone 15.
Just give me stable 50/20 available all day. Can be on 4G. I don’t need 5G with 120Mbps down early in the morning that drops to 3Mbps during the day and won’t let me open a simple web page.
> At the time of writing, we’re still a little bit unsure of how 5G SA is able to deliver greater coverage than regular 5G
There’s a few ways in which it could to this –
– 5G SA allows greater beamforming capabilities, so signal is steered to devices, helping with coverage
– 5G SA lets you use more carrier aggregation options, such as downlink on the high frequency, and uplink on the low frequency. Allows phones to cling onto signal at the cell edge a bit better.
Those are just thoughts, but would be super interesting if Vodafone clarifies what 5G features they are now turning on to enable better coverage
I have been with Orange in 2001 o2 in 2004 Three in 2015 and Vodafone in 2018 to now. Every network has its problems your never going to make everybody happy your going people complaining about something.
Has anyone tried speedtests on 5g sa is it actually faster? What about aggregation on n78+n78
And most importantly whats the pings like
Currently vodafone 4g band 20 25ms to london from south wales
5G SA produces better uplink coverage because there is no power split between user equipment using 4G and 5G.
Vodarubbish, they can keep their high speed 5G and shove it where the sun don’t shine.
Classy.
I dont quite understand all the techy stuff but wouldnt Threes spectrum/holdings/frequency bands/whatever provide a better 5G standalone offering?
Wouldnt vodafone have to upgrade radio gear after Three merger?
Hmm, I just checked Vodafone coverage map on bidb and the areas where known monopoles/POW are located, now show a greater/ extended coverage area, compared to this time last week.
I would say here in Plymouth, Vodafone have one of the better 5g coverages, between them and 3. Followed by EE and in last obviously 02 whos 5g is rather patchy…imo
Plymouth was also one of the locations in which VF started the 3G shutdown, so it makes sense that they’ve spent money on 5G down there
No network covers themselves in glory in regards to 5G coverage, but I expect VF’s coverage drops very quickly as you head towards west Devon or across the Tamar…
“Vodafone informed us that this was because their 900MHz spectrum band is only activated on the SA network”
Yeah… that isn’t going to be fast…
Do iPhones not support 5G SA?
Hey Matthew.
Have a look on https://m.gsmarena.com/
When you search for your phone, the band numbers are under the NETWORK section and if it says ‘SA’ then it will support it. But the phone also needs to support Band 8 which is 900mhz.
They show band numbers for each model number. Make sure you know your model number, it’ll be in your about phone settings. iphone models typically start A2xxx [for e.g. on the 14 range]
They do. In some markets if you have a local phone and a local SIM they even offer 5G SA only mode (I believe China is one, but my phone is British so I didn’t get this setting option)
it’s currently only usable with Samsung S21 and S22 Smartphones. Don’t tell me that’s because of the bands “Real” 5g uses, and isn’t available with other hardware?
I am very disappointed with 5g I get from I’d mobile. It’s diabolical. They had the nerve to mid contract prize rise too!advice – don’t bother with 5g from I’d mobile, waste of time and money.
If you remember, it was a similar set up when VoLTE was launched in 2015.
It was only on 800mhz band & very few phones
supported that band. LTE data was on the other bands.
This was to be expected.
The phones already support 5G SA so I really don’t understand why they launch it on S21/22. The S23 is out, the two most recent iPhone generations have 5G SA support too. iPhone 13/14 as well as S21/22/23 would have actually been a fairly reasonable launch. Instead they’ve launched to 50 customers and called it a day.
Just a thought perhaps the next time when asking for details on something like this, that we shouldn’t just solely question their range improvement claims but should also question why on earth they’ve rolled it out to an infinitely small number of people? Seems like press speak for “we actually haven’t improved the capacity of the 5G SA network but we’d like to play public opinion on our VF/3 merger”. Definitely should have been scrutinised.
Just a thought perhaps the next time when asking for details on something like this, that we shouldn’t just solely question their range improvement claims but should also question why on earth they’ve rolled it out to an infinitely small number of people? Seems like press speak for “we actually haven’t improved the capacity of the 5G SA network but we’d like to play public opinion on our VF/3 merger”. Definitely should have been scrutinised.
5G !!
Try living in a rural county, Dorset for example, where we actually have total black spots of ANY coverage along major highways.
I would welcome stable 4G coverage.
This hype, around 5G, is ridiculous, when the existing coverage is still patchy outside the major towns and cities; recently visited France and it has far superior coverage in rural areas.
So we are a further month down the line and no more handsets added to the list. Also various reports online of users like myself who has S22, in 5G Ultra coverage ,has upgraded since Feb, has latest software but still waiting for the enablement text with Customer services unable to add onto account.
In fact in all my experience online I have only seen staff members and journalists who claim to have been able to use it.
To me this was just a publicity campaign by Vodafone to claim to be the first but in reality unless you are staff it’s not really available.