Vodafone has switched on a trial of 5G at MediaCity UK in Salford, Manchester.
The company is encouraging media companies and digital startups to try out the technology ahead of a full launch in 2019.
Manchester is one of seven cities due to host 5G trials before the end of the year and MediaCity UK is host to the Vodafone’s first innovation hub, which includes 5G wireless routers, gigabit-capable optical-fibre links and Internet of Things (IoT) services.
“We are leading the roll out of 5G across the UK, starting with Greater Manchester,” said Vodafone UK CEO Nick Jeffery. “A further six cities – Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool and London – will shortly receive full 5G too. Next year, we will bring 5G to the Scottish Highlands, Cornwall and the Lake District, among other locations.”
Vodafone says its network engineers are already achieving high-speed Internet connectivity and low latency from the Salford site using Active Antenna (Massive MIMO) technology.
This effectively provides multiple-data ‘channels’ from a single antenna, coupled with our 3.4GHz 5G spectrum. Vodafone secured the largest block of this 5G spectrum at this year’s auction.
