Vodafone UK Trials 5G at Manchester Airport using ‘Gigacube’ Portable Router

Vodafone UK has switched on 5G at Manchester Airport, with other travel locations set to follow suit within weeks.

In a UK first, holidaymakers and travellers getting ready for the half-term getaway tested the new, super-fast network by downloading a film or TV box set using 5G. The testers downloaded content up to four times quicker than over 4G – providing them with more than enough entertainment for their flight.

Manchester Airport is the first of several travel hot spots where Vodafone is trialling 5G. Vodafone 5G masts are now in place at the airport, forming part of the 5G trials taking place across the city. Further trials over the coming weeks will include Snow Hill railway station in Birmingham.

Passengers at Manchester’s Terminal One visited Vodafone’s special 5G ‘blast pod’ and were given a free Entertainment Pass on streaming service NOW TV. Airport users could download an episode of the new series of Tin Star in 45 seconds and the whole series in six minutes and seven seconds, claims Vodafone UK. At these speeds, Vodafone’s 5G network will allow a home Wi-Fi like experience, on the go.

5G will enable holiday makers and business travellers to load a web page or a video instantly and, thanks to super low latency, people will be able to seamlessly stream a movie over 5G without buffering or lag.

As 5G handsets are not yet available for consumers, Vodafone completed the trial using its ‘Gigacube’ device – a portable router that is 5G enabled. Consumers connected to 5G via the Gigacube and used their Now TV Entertainment Pass to download and stream content.