Vodafone UK Brings 5G Standalone Mobile Network to Manchester Airport

Mobile operator Vodafone (VodafoneThree) has announced that they’ve deployed their fastest 5G Standalone (5GSA) based mobile broadband network (indoors) across Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 Departures at Manchester Airport, while also improving existing 4G and general 5G network coverage. The move should help to cope with busy periods and deliver better performance.

The new 5GSA technology typically offers a pure end-to-end 5G network that can deliver ultra-low latency times, greater energy efficiency, better speeds (particularly uploads), network slicing, improved support for IoT devices, increased reliability and security etc. By comparison, early 5G networks used a Non-Standalone (NSA) approach, which was hobbled by being partly reliant upon older and slower 4G infrastructure.

The latest deployment also supports VodafoneThree’s post-merger plan to invest £11bn into upgrading the UK’s 5G mobile infrastructure and coverage over the next decade (here, here and here). The combined business has previously stated that it aspires to reach more than 99% of the UK population with their 5G Standalone (5GSA) network by 2030, then 99.96% by 2034, while also pushing fixed wireless access (mobile home broadband) to 82% of households by 2030, among other things.

Andrea Donà, Chief Network Officer at VodafoneThree, said:

“Manchester Airport is the third busiest airport in the UK and a major contributor to both the North of England and the wider UK economy. Having Vodafone 5G Standalone in the airport means customer are getting the best network experience out there.

“Meanwhile, the airport will have world-class digital infrastructure, supporting growth and contributing to both the local and wider UK economy. Manchester Airport is a great example of how we’re moving at pace to deliver a new era of connectivity.”

Naturally you’ll need a 5GSA supporting Smartphone or device in order to benefit from the upgraded mobile network.