BRITAIN’S biggest mobile network has launched a new 5G service that’s up to four times faster than normal – but customers will be charged more to use it.
The new high-speed plan by VodafoneThree will offer guaranteed minimum speeds of 15 megabits per second for the first time – fast enough to stream high-definition video.
The telecoms giant has also promised customers they can leave their contract early without being charged if the service falls short.
The move, which comes after the £15billion merger of Vodafone and Three last year, is aimed at tackling shoddy mobile internet service across the UK.
Britain currently ranks bottom among G7 nations for both speed and coverage.
Vodafone contract customers will have to pay an extra £3 per month more than Vodafone full-speed Xtra plans to access the improved service, £8 more on SIM-only 100Mbps plans, £4 more on handset 100Mbps plans, or £12 as a rolling monthly add-on.
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VodafoneThree chief executive Max Taylor said: “Vodafone SuperMobile is tangible evidence of what the Vodafone and Three merger makes possible: better connectivity and real choice for customers.
“The UK needs to go faster, and with the country’s largest, best spectrum holding, and our £11 billion investment we will build a faster, higher-quality network than anyone else.
“SuperMobile is super-fast, super-reliable and super-secure. Ideal for consumers watching content on-the-go, AI applications or businesses looking to benefit from digital transformation.”
VodafoneThree’s improved mobile offering, called SuperMobile, will be provided through technology known as “slicing”, which allows different parts of a mobile network to be used for different purposes.
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VodafoneThree said users who pay extra will be given access to a dedicated 5G+ FastTrack, meaning they are more likely to have signal in busy areas such as city centres and at events such as concerts and sports fixtures.
It said that non-SuperMobile customers would continue to access the network as normal and would not be deprioritised as a result of the new offering.
VodafoneThree said the move was possible thanks to its expanded holdings of mobile spectrum following last year’s merger.
At the time of the merger, Vodafone said its 5G upgrades would come at no extra cost, while the company made a number of commitments over tariffs to assuage the regulator’s concerns about higher prices.
VodafoneThree also announced plans for a new TV entertainment hub on Thursday, which launches next month and brings together access to HBO Max and Netflix, as well as the streaming platforms of broadcasters such as the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 via Freely.