The network technology optimisations come in the wake of changing customer usage habits, with uploads of user-generated content - such as livestreaming - soaring in popularity.
Vodafone and Google have enhanced upload speeds using Vodafone UK’s 5G Ultra network, making it easier for customers to share 4K content with friends and family, and on social media platforms, allowing live-streaming of movie-quality video content.
In June 2024, MIMO technology was introduced for the Google Pixel 8 Pro resulting in faster uploads and enhanced Uplink Carrier Aggregation (ULCA) for increased download speeds.
Additional ULCA combinations have also been introduced for the Google Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Fold.
Vodafone and Google are now able to offer owners of the Google Pixel 8 Pro and new Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Fold phones enhanced upload performance after introducing new network capabilities for users on the Vodafone UK 5G Ultra network.
Over recent years, the amount of data consumers are uploading has rapidly expanded thanks to the growth of user-generated content shared with friends and family, as well as over social media platforms. This trend is set to continue, with smartphone applications becoming more immersive and interactive, as well as the introduction of new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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In recognition of the growing importance of user-generated content to customers, Vodafone and Google have partnered to improve upload speeds using a technology known as MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output).
In doing so, Vodafone has doubled the number of antennas communicating with Google Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Fold phones, improving upload speeds and the reliability of the connection. The technology enables customers to quickly share captured 4K content, allowing live-streaming of movie-quality video content.
Vodafone also activated a technique known as Uplink Carrier Aggregation (ULCA) as an alternative feature to Uplink MIMO to allow faster uploads with the Google Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Fold phones. In order to simultaneously improve download performances for Google Pixel 8 Pro and Google Pixel 9 series users, Vodafone also enhanced the ULCA combinations available on the 5G Ultra network, allowing the simultaneous aggregation of four bands. Both capabilities will be made available on other devices in the future.
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Andrea Dona, Chief Network Officer, Vodafone UK, said: “By looking at the data, we can clearly see customer behaviour changing as more of our lives become digital. In previous years, the digital highway was a one-way street, with consumers downloading significantly more data than uploading, but it is starting to balance out now. We must recognise this customer trend and adapt our network as a result.”
Michiel van Eldik, VP, Devices & Services Partnerships, Google EMEA, said: “We want our customers to have the freedom to share their experiences seamlessly and in the highest quality possible. That’s why we’re thrilled to partner with Vodafone on network advancements that make this a reality. Whether it’s live-streaming a concert or sharing a 4K video with loved ones, we’re committed to providing the best possible mobile experience.”
Sharing and streaming
Over the course of the summer, Vodafone supported several major events from Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, through to the Badminton Horse Trials in Gloucestershire. With hundreds of thousands of people in attendance, the network must be fine-tuned to reflect evolving customer trends.
As the table below shows, the way customers are using connectivity is changing. In particular, the sharing of user-generated content is becoming increasingly important, especially at events. Generally speaking, upload data across the network for day-to-day purposes is between 10-15% of the total data traffic.
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Notes to Editor
What is the difference between upload and download?
Downloading means receiving data or a file from the internet on your device, while uploading means sending data or a file from your device to somewhere on the internet.
Traditionally, download connectivity has been more important to customers due to the way we used the internet. However, with the growth of user-generated content, upload connectivity is becoming increasingly important.
What is MIMO?
MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) is an antenna technology for mobile telecommunications networks in which multiple antennas are used at both the source (on the mobile mast itself) and the destination (the user device, such as a smartphone).
This technology allows data to travel over many signal paths at the same time which helps to minimize errors, optimise data speed and improve the capacity of connectivity.
What is Carrier Aggregation?
Carrier aggregation is a technique used to increase the data rate of mobile connectivity, whereby multiple spectrum frequency blocks (the airwaves that connect devices to the network) are assigned to the same task. The more airwaves that are assigned to the same task, the higher the data rates.
How did Vodafone enhance its Carrier Aggregation capabilities?
By connecting additional spectrum frequencies to Google Pixel Pro 8 devices, Vodafone was able to increase download speed and capacity performance. Prior to this enhancement, three separate spectrum frequency blocks were able to connect to the device (dependent on what mast the device was connected to). Now, Google Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Fold users are able to connect to four separate spectrum frequency blocks.
About Google
Google’s mission is to organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Google Cloud, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.
Vodafone UK is a technology communications company that connects people, businesses and devices to help our customers benefit from digital innovation. Our services span mobile, fixed-line connections, home and office broadband, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
We have a strong track record as a tech pioneer, making the UK’s first mobile phone call, sending the first text message, and making the UK’s first live holographic call using 5G in 2018. We were the first to start carrying live 5G traffic from a site in Salford, Greater Manchester and now have 5G in locations across Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain as well as the UK. Meanwhile, our 4G network coverage currently reaches over 99% of the UK population.
Today, Vodafone serves more than 18 million mobile and fixed-line customers in the UK. Vodafone is the largest provider of full fibre in the UK – our superfast broadband services are now available to nearly 12 million homes across the UK.
Sustainability is also at the heart of what we do: as of 1 July 2021, 100% of the grid electricity we use in the UK is certified to be from renewable sources.
For more information about Vodafone UK, please visit: www.vodafone.co.uk.
