Press Release | 14 May 2014

VODAFONE UK BRINGS STRONGER NETWORK TO SWINDON AND WILTSHIRE

  • Vodafone UK’s ultrafast 4G arrives in Swindon
  • Wiltshire communities to see further improvements in mobile coverage by end of 2015 as part of £1 billion being spent on network and services
  • More people and businesses across Wiltshire will be able to benefit from strongest network with ultrafast mobile internet services

Vodafone UK has announced plans to strengthen mobile phone coverage in Wiltshire, bringing ultrafast mobile internet services to more communities and local businesses. The news comes as Vodafone goes live with its ultrafast 4G in Swindon on 22 May.

Ultrafast 4G services will help businesses in Wiltshire by helping people work where they want to, when they want to. Almost nine out of ten business leaders (86%) believe 4G will increase their productivity by providing a genuine ‘in-office’ experience wherever they are, according to research by Vodafone.* In total the arrival of ultrafast 4G services could boost Swindon’s economy up to by £100m over 5 years, according to further independent research.**

As part of £1 billion that Vodafone is spending on its UK network and services this year, Vodafone will also increase 3G outdoor coverage across both the North and South Swindon areas to reach 99% of the population over the next few years.

Mobile internet coverage plays an increasingly important role in today’s society which is why Vodafone has committed to provide coverage using 2G, 3G and 4G services to 98% of the UK population by the end of 2015. Better coverage lets people stay in touch with friends and family as well as giving access to local services. It also enables businesses to react faster to the needs of customers and introduce remote working practices for staff which can help reduce costs and increase productivity.

Justin Tomlinson, MP for North Swindon commented: “It’s great news that Vodafone is improving mobile internet coverage in Swindon with the launch of its 4G network. It means that the local community and businesses in Swindon and the wider Wiltshire area will be able to benefit from faster access to the mobile internet. For some areas, it will mean fast access to the mobile internet for the very first time.

Fergal Kelly, CTO, Vodafone UK added: “Mobile connectivity plays a vital role in keeping communities in touch and helping to support the local economy. Our network improvements will ensure more people and businesses in Wiltshire will have the opportunity to take part in the growing smartphone revolution.

Ultrafast 4G
Vodafone UK’s ultrafast 4G brings a choice of fantastic sports or music entertainment to local people and boosts local businesses with faster speeds, bigger data allowances and the ability to share that data at no extra cost.

Vodafone ultrafast 4G brings entertainment content to life whether at home or on the go, offering music and sports lovers a choice of access to either Spotify Premium or Sky Sports Mobile TV. That’s more than 20 million tracks from the world’s best known streaming music provider; or the best in live action football as well as tennis, cricket, golf and rugby.

The choice of great entertainment comes on top of Vodafone Data Test Drive*** for the first three months, double Vodafone’s standard data allowances and an additional 1GB of data each month for the length of the contract, plus unlimited calls and texts. Business customers meanwhile can enjoy the flexibility of Vodafone’s free data sharing SIM included in their 4G Red plans. Their 4G plans have also been boosted with an extra 1GB of data for the length of the customer’s contract.

New store in Canal Walk, Swindon
Vodafone has also relocated and refitted its Swindon store, which opened earlier this year in Canal Walk, Swindon. The Canal Walk store opened with a brand new look, bringing consumer and small business customers closer than ever to the best in mobile and innovative in-store customer training, meaning the in-store team will then be able to help set up phones or tablets and troubleshoot, as well as transferring over contacts and photos, so customers can leave the store, ready to go. Customers will also be able to click and collect, using the store as the place to pick up online purchases.

Notes to editors:

* Vodafone research showing that 86% of businesses believe that 4G will increase their productivity was conducted with 554 organizational leaders across UK PLC and is available at http://www.yourbetterbusiness.co.uk/perspective_4g_in_the_workplace.

** Estimates of economic benefit to the capital based on independent research by Capital Economics which found that 4G, when deployed to the population, could increase GDP by 0.5% across the UK. Research was based upon investment “made by the mobile telephone network operators” and deployment “by the mobile network operators”. The Swindon specific figure is based on applying this to the Gross Value Added per head (GVA+ taxes – subsidies = GDP) of the population.

*** Vodafone Data Test Drive – use as much UK data as you want for three months when you choose a Pay monthly or 12-month SIM only plan. For more information visit www.vodafone.co.uk/testdrive

  • Coverage predictions are based on an assumption that Vodafone can obtain planning permission to build sites, access to land or buildings to place equipment and backhaul to connect sites.
  • Customers can check Vodafone’s current and planned coverage at http://www.vodafone.co.uk/our-network-and-coverage/uk-coverage-map/index.htm
  • Vodafone 4G is typically 6 times faster than our 3G. Speeds vary and depend on coverage and demand. For more information visit www.vodafone.co.uk/4g
  • If you would like 4G devices for review, please contact Eve Lacey at Ideas Network on 020 7351 4719 or email vodafone@ideasnetwork.co.uk
  • Vodafone is committed to closing the digital divide and alongside coverage improvements it is the only UK operator to supply consumers with an in-home coverage solution. Vodafone Sure Signal provides indoor Vodafone 3G coverage to anyone with a basic fixed broadband connection. For more information visit www.vodafone.co.uk/suresignal. Vodafone is also working with 12 rural communities to improve 3G coverage through Vodafone Open Sure Signal. For more information visit https://newscentre.vodafone.co.uk/

About Vodafone UK

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.

Vodafone UK Media Relations

Telephone: +44 (0) 1635 693 693

Email: ukmediarelations@vodafone.com

Twitter: @VodafoneUKNews

Website: https://vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/

Vodafone Limited

Registered Office: Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN

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