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Vodafone UK to trial high speed 3G Broadband

09 March 2006
Vodafone UK press releases 2006

  • Customer trials starting in early April ahead of mid 2006 launch
  • Vodafone UK HSDPA network roll out on track 
  • All major UK towns and cities to have high speed Vodafone 3G broadband by end 2006  

Following successful testing in Newbury, Vodafone UK will start customer trials on its live  HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) network from April. 

With 100 business users testing Vodafone UK’s HSDPA-enabled Mobile Connect Cards across central and greater London, the trials represent an important milestone in the evolution of the company’s 3G network.

Tim Miles, CEO Vodafone UK said: 'The start of our high speed 3G broadband trial marks our relentless commitment to offering the best possible experience to our customers.  We have seen high demand for 3G since its launch two years ago and our customers are hungry for the improvements that HSDPA will deliver. These important trials are part of a continuing drive to lead the UK through superior network performance and a customer experience that is second to none.'

HSDPA will deliver a faster mobile broadband experience to Vodafone customers in the UK from mid-2006, initially offering the mobile transfer of data from the internet and intranet at roughly four times faster than current 3G speeds. It will also deliver greater capacity (three times that of current 3G levels) meaning that more people in the same location at the same time can benefit from a superior experience. In addition, HSDPA offers improved latency, giving faster access to web-based content. As a result, customers will be able to work faster and download larger documents, such as PowerPoint presentations and email attachments, more quickly.

"HSDPA offers a win-win opportunity for both customers and Vodafone - it delivers on the promise of 3G to provide broadband-like services whilst on the move,” comments Michael Ransom, Research Director for Wireless at Current Analysis. 

He continues: "With higher HSDPA-driven wireless performance, Vodafone will enable business customers to move beyond mobile email and become mobile enterprises."

From mid-2006, Vodafone will phase in the introduction of a high-speed mobile broadband service.  Customers within the M25 will be the first to benefit with coverage rolling out across all major UK towns and cities by the end of 2006.

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For further information please contact:
Lucy Rich/Samantha Botting
Vodafone UK Public Relations
Tel: 0845 4444466

email: press.office@vodafone.com

Notes to Editors
About Vodafone UK
Vodafone UK has 16.3 million customers and is part of the world’s largest mobile community offering a wide range of voice and data communications. The company is committed to providing mobile solutions that allow both consumer and business customers to make the most of now. In addition, Vodafone connects customers across the globe with roaming agreements worldwide. It provides 3G roaming in 18 countries and offers great roaming value with Vodafone Passport. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.co.uk.

Vodafone UK was the first mobile operator to offer a 3G data card in the UK with the introduction of its 3G/GPRS Mobile Connect Card in April 2004. Vodafone UK has sold over 150,000 3G Mobile Connect cards in the UK and leads the UK market with the largest share of 3G data cards*. 

About HSDPA

HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) is an evolution of Vodafone’s 3G network that will enable customers to download data at significantly improved rates initially offering the mobile transfer of data from the internet and intranet at roughly four times faster than current 3G speeds - initially designed around the 1.8Mbps standard, customers will experience peak downlink speeds of around 1.4Mbps (with an average of 400 - 700Kbps across all coverage areas) and up to 384kbps uplink. It will deliver a high speed 3G broadband experience to customers. 

HSDPA will also deliver greater capacity (three times that of current 3G levels) meaning that more people in the same location at the same time can benefit from a superior experience. In addition, HSDPA offers reduced network latency, giving faster access to web-based content. As a result, customers will be able to work faster and download larger documents, such as PowerPoint presentations and email attachments, more quickly. 

*Source:  Vodafone Company Data.  Figures as at end of February 2006.