Vodafone Launch UK’s First Commercial 5G Network Slicing Service

Mobile and broadband operator Vodafone Business (VodafoneThree) has today launched the “UK’s first commercial 5G network slicing” service (5G+ Local Slicing), which aims to offer guaranteed mobile network performance across a defined site or local area up to 5km2 – from stadiums and logistics hubs to university campuses and construction sites etc.

Network slicing is a feature of the latest end-to-end 5G Standalone (aka – 5G+ / 5G Advanced) based mobile broadband networks. The feature essentially allows for multiple virtual network slices across the same physical network. Each slice is isolated from other network traffic to give dedicated performance, with the features of the slice typically being tailored to specific use case requirements (online gaming, enhanced mobile broadband, payment processing at big events etc.).

The 5G+ Local Slicing feature is said to have been designed for enterprise organisations that need mission-critical connectivity – including manufacturers, logistics operators, healthcare providers, retailers, universities, transport hubs, stadiums and campus environments.

Slices for this can be provisioned on a temporary or permanent basis, and additional slices can be provisioned to meet evolving customer needs. Previous trials, such as at the 2024 Glastonbury Festival (here), have already shown how it could be used to keep payment processing going on a busy mobile network.

Nick Gliddon, Business Director at VodafoneThree, said:

“Vodafone Business is first in the UK to make network slicing real for enterprise, and that matters because businesses need more from their mobile connectivity. They are processing thousands of transactions, deploying AI, running real-time complex logistics, and managing staff communications on mobile networks that were built to be shared, not dedicated.”

Local Slicing changes that, with connectivity that is engineered around the needs of a business. Enterprise customers can now own their network performance, not just hope for it.”

At the same time Vodafone Business has also launched a second and similar sounding feature called Network Boost, which is designed to deliver enhanced and dependable mobile connectivity for smaller (SME) business customers in the UK’s busiest areas. By giving priority to data traffic on the Vodafone network, Network Boost helps organisations and their teams stay connected, even when demand on the network is at its highest. But this premium add-on will work on both their 4G and 5G networks.