Superstar Sophie Ellis-Bextor helps put Vodafone's new Pro II Broadband to the test - the UK’s fastest WiFi technology throughout the home.
60% of UK households have up to 20 connected devices around the home, with a further fifth (19%) owning up to 40.
This Christmas, smart tech tops the wish lists for 67% of Brits, making connected devices around the house set to grow even more.
But over a third of the country (34%) is worried about the additional strain on WiFi connections over the festive season and almost a third admit to not using whole areas in their home due to slow WiFi.
In October 2022, Vodafone launched Pro II Broadband – the UK’s fastest WiFi technology throughout the home which helps address these customer pain points.
Vodafone has the largest full fibre footprint in the UK and has partnered with superstar Sophie Ellis-Bextor to put its new VodafonePro II Broadband to the test with the latest in smart home tech.
New research reveals that 60% of UK households already own up to 20 connected devices and a further fifth of us (19%) own up to 40. With smart tech topping the wish lists of six-in-10 (67%) Brits this Christmas, that number looks set to grow.
But despite the nation’s enthusiasm for all things tech, the study, conducted by Vodafone, reveals 36% of Brits are worried about the additional strain on their WiFi over the festive season and almost a third admit they don’t use certain rooms around the house due to slow WiFi.
Credits: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Vodafone
Credits: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Vodafone
Former Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown demonstrates a connected kitchen powered by Vodafone Pro II Broadband – the UK’s fastest WiFi technology throughout the home
The research also identified a number of risks to seasonal serenity, with WiFi woes like losing signal in different areas of the home (46%), entertaining the kids (45%), and streaming debates (22%), topping the list of reasons for festive family feuds. This was closely followed by having too many people using WiFi at the same time (19%), cooking Christmas dinner (16%) a,nd cleaning up after the seasonal feast (16%).
Despite 46% planning to have the whole family under one roof this Christmas, nearly half (48%) the country say having friends and family over significantly slows their internet speed, with six-in-10 (58%) believing a strong internet connection is ‘imperative’ to a successful Christmas Day.
Credits: Matt Wall
Credits: Matt Wall
Wireless nail printing demonstration at Vodafone’s Ultra Connected Christmas House powered by Pro II Broadband – the UK’s fastest WiFi technology throughout the home
Over a quarter (28%) worry their WiFi won’t be able to cope with festive demand, while 37% admit to experiencing frustration when they have trouble connecting in all areas of their home.
To help Brits put an end to their broadband battles, Vodafone offers Pro II Broadband, bringing the UK’s fastest WiFi technology throughout the home supported by unbreakable 4G back up. More than 150 devices can be connected to the Vodafone Ultra Hub and Super WiFi 6E Booster, making it easier to keep everyone content and connected in every room this Christmas.
What is WiFi 6E? WiFi router differences explained
There are various versions of WiFi – which one your router and devices have will determine the speed and range of your wireless internet connection. We explain what they are and how to find out which ones you have.
On the evening of 15 December 2022, Vodafone opened the Ultra Connected Christmas House, a connected festive home packed full of smart technology designed to put Vodafone’s Pro II Broadband to the test.
From using connected kitchen appliances to serve up Quickmas cocktails, to managing multi-player gaming battles and learning how to wrap presents as fast as Pro II’s broadband speeds, the house offers fast, reliable top tips to help keep Christmas running smoothly across all corners of the home – all powered by Pro II Broadband.
Singing sensation Sophie Ellis-Bextor opened Vodafone’s festive home with a one-off Christmas kitchen party, complete with smart lighting, disco balls and WiFi-powered projections.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor said: “Whether I’m listening to my favourite Christmas playlists, streaming festive films or purchasing last-minute gifts, the family and I rely on having super-speedy WiFi in all corners of the home.
“Thanks to Vodafone’s Pro II Broadband that offers the UK’s fastest WiFi technology throughout the home, I am safe in the knowledge that connectivity won’t be an issue for us this Christmas.”
The Ultra Connected Christmas House will only be open on 16 December 2022. Members of the public can book a place to put Pro II Broadband to the test and sign up to sessions led by influencers, including Scot Can Eats (Quickmas Cocktails), Tomi Adebayo (Gaming), and Adam Ali (Fast Festive Make Up), who will share their most reliable tips for a smooth, stress-free Christmas.
Vodafone launches Pro II - the UK’s fastest WiFi technology throughout the home
The new Ultra Hub and Super WiFi booster use the latest WiFi 6E technology - the first from any major broadband provider in the UK - which can deliver WiFi to more than 150 devices.
Max Taylor, Vodafone’s UK Chief Commercial Officer, comments: “As the UK’s largest full fibre provider, families that choose Vodafone Pro II will have superfast and reliable internet to see them through the festive season.
“Our Ultra Hub router is the fastest in the UK, making sure all corners of the home are connected, all for a great price.”
The top 10 tech gifts this Christmas are:
Mobile phone
Tablets
Games console
Smart watch
Wireless headphones
Educational toys
Wireless speakers
Smart lighting
Voice assistant devices e.g. Echo/Alexa
Children’s music players e.g. Tonie Box
Stay up-to-date with the latest news and features from Vodafone by following us on Twitter and signing up for News Centre website notifications.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
Independent market research agency One Poll conducted the survey among 2,000 UK parents with children aged two to 18. The research took place 7-12 December 2022. One Poll is a member organisation of the Market Research Society and abides by all codes of practice.
Vodafone Pro II plans come with the Vodafone Ultra Hub router and Super WiFi Booster that deliver the UK’s fastest WiFi signal throughout the home, as well as our 4G broadband back up module delivering unbreakable broadband. These devices use the latest WiFi 6E technology, the first of any major broadband provider and can connect to more than 150 devices simultaneously, providing fast speeds across the full range of the home.
Customers can save over £900 vs BT Halo 3+ with Pro II packages. Comparison table:
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.
