About our network
We made the nation's first mobile phone call, we sent the first text message - and now, we've carried out the UK's first holographic call using the 5G network.
We're constantly improving our network so you can live your life how and where you want to - both today and in the future.
And because of that, we've got a history of firsts on our network.
The first mobile call
We make the first - and then the second - mobile phone calls in the UK. Michael Harrison makes history when he calls his father (Vodafone's first chairperson Sir Ernest Harrison) at 12:01am on 1 January 1985.
It's comedian, Ernie Wise, who makes the first 'official' call, though - proving to the public that the technology works.
The first text message
We also carry the first ever text message. It's Vodafone employee, Richard Jarvis, who receives the SMS sent to him by one of his test engineers - 22 year-old Neil Papworth - on Christmas Eve, 1992.
The message? "Merry Christmas."
The first 3G voice call
The first 3G voice call is made in the Thames Valley using our network of 30 radio base stations.
2019
And this year - we're bringing 5G to the UK. Vodafone's 5G will open up a new world of seamless opportunities. Launching this summer.
Choose Vodafone's award winning network
Covering 99% of people in the UK with 4G
We're committed to building our network where you need it.
Investing £1bn a year
We keep improving, to bring you our most reliable network ever.
Constantly innovating
We're rolling out 5G to bring you faster than home Wi-Fi speeds on your mobile.
