{"id":45497,"date":"2026-04-16T14:17:44","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T13:17:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ispreview.co.uk\/?p=45497"},"modified":"2026-04-16T14:17:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T13:17:44","slug":"vodafone-launch-uks-first-commercial-5g-network-slicing-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ispreview.co.uk\/index.php\/2026\/04\/vodafone-launch-uks-first-commercial-5g-network-slicing-service.html","title":{"rendered":"Vodafone Launch UK’s First Commercial 5G Network Slicing Service"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mobile and broadband operator Vodafone Business<\/a> (VodafoneThree) has today launched the “UK\u2019s first commercial 5G<\/a> network slicing<\/em>” service (5G<\/a>+ 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.<\/p>\n

Network slicing is a feature of the latest end-to-end 5G<\/a> Standalone (aka \u2013 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.).<\/p>\n

NOTE:<\/strong> The move supports VodafoneThree\u2019s post-merger plan to invest \u00a311bn<\/strong> into upgrading the UK\u2019s 5G mobile infrastructure and coverage over the next decade (here<\/a>, here<\/a> and here<\/a>). 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.<\/div>\n

The 5G+ Local Slicing<\/strong> feature is said to have been designed for enterprise organisations that need mission-critical connectivity \u2013 including manufacturers, logistics operators, healthcare providers, retailers, universities, transport hubs, stadiums and campus environments.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>), have already shown how it could be used to keep payment processing going on a busy mobile network.<\/p>\n

Nick Gliddon, Business Director at VodafoneThree, said:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cVodafone<\/a> 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

At the same time Vodafone<\/a> Business has also launched a second and similar sounding feature called Network Boost<\/strong>, which is designed to deliver enhanced and dependable mobile connectivity for smaller (SME) business customers in the UK\u2019s busiest areas. By giving priority to data traffic on the Vodafone<\/a> 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<\/a> and 5G networks.<\/p>\n