Vodafone has become the second mobile network provider in the UK to launch 5G, following EE's debut last month. The service went live today in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool and London.
An additional 12 towns and cities are scheduled to receive 5G later this year, including Birkenhead, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Guildford, Newbury, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Reading, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent, Warrington and Wolverhampton.
Customers need a 5G-compatible SIM and handset to access the network. Devices from Samsung, Oppo, Xiaomi, OnePlus and LG are already available or will be released soon.
Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton officially switched on the network at a launch event in London. In a world-first demonstration, Vodafone used haptic feedback technology to transmit a rugby tackle over 5G, with Wasps players Juan De Jongh and Will Rowlands taking part from different locations.
Vodafone is also offering 5G roaming in Germany, Italy and Spain this summer. EE launched its 5G network in six cities last month, while O2 has yet to announce a specific launch date.
