5G+ is Vodafone's name for 5G Standalone services in the UK - the fastest and most reliable form of 5G. Here's what it can do for you and how you can get it.
Vodafone’s 5G+ network is the fastest in the UK.
What is 5G+?
5G+ bundles together the existing 5G service that customers have already been enjoying, with Vodafone’s 5G Standalone (5G SA) network.
How is 5G Standalone different from existing 5G?
The 5G network, as it currently exists in most of the UK, only uses upgraded technology in the masts. This is known as 5G Non-standalone (5G NSA). With 5G Standalone, the servers in the core network, as well as the RedStream fibre optic backbone connecting those servers to the masts and to the wider internet, will have been upgraded, too. As a result, 5G SA is a more powerful and reliable form of 5G. Vodafone 5G SA also uses radio waves that have a higher frequency (more on this in a bit).
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What does 5G+ do for me compared to 5G or 4G?
On 5G+ you get faster download and upload speeds – up to 10 times faster than 4G. But there’s more to 5G+ than just speed. It has far greater capacity than either 4G or 5G Non-standalone, so far more smartphones and other devices in any given busy area – such as a train station, hospital or stadium – can be connected simultaneously.
A 5G+ connection is easier on your phone’s battery too, prolonging a phone’s battery runtime by as much as three hours.
So how does Vodafone’s 5G+ compare to others?
Vodafone’s 5G+ is the UK’s fastest 5G+, with superior speeds and capacity compared to other major network providers, but you don’t have to take our word for it. CrowdSource testing between January 2026 and June 2026, which compared 5G+ speeds on major network providers, found that Vodafone’s speeds were twice as fast as other major mobile network operators.
This is because Vodafone’s 5G SA uses higher-frequency radio waves and has more of them. This gives greater capacity and faster speeds than other major networks who rely on lower-frequency radio waves, don’t have as many radio waves at higher frequencies, or both.
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Why is it called ‘5G+’ instead of 5G SA?
5G Standalone is a technical term mainly used by speccy boffins. 5G+ is a simpler, easier to remember name for this new technology.
Are there any other benefits to Vodafone 5G+ apart from increased speeds and capacity?
5G+ is also more reliable and responsive than both 4G and 5G NSA. Calls can connect more quickly, thanks to a feature of 5G+ called Voice over New Radio (VoNR). It also has lower latency for anything that depends on real-time reactions, such as multiplayer online gaming and cloud gaming. It also supports on-demand prioritisation options, such as Speed Boost.
5G+ is all about using the right technology to give as many people as possible the best service and experience for their specific needs, not just using advanced technology for its own sake.
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How can I get Vodafone 5G+?
5G+ is available on selected Vodafone Pay Monthly plans, and on eligible devices. Most modern 5G smartphones support 5G+. This includes, for example, the Apple iPhone 15 series or newer, the Samsung Galaxy S21 series and newer, among others. You can check if your device is eligible by using the Vodafone UK website.
Where is Vodafone 5G+ available?
As of summer 2026, Vodafone’s 5G+ coverage is mostly in key cities, exceeding half of the UK’s population. Thanks to the merger between Vodafone UK and Three UK to create VodafoneThree, this coverage will reach 99% of the country’s population by 2030.
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How is 5G+ related to network slicing?
Network slicing is a feature of 5G Standalone networks – you can’t have one without the other. Network slicing has already proven its usefulness to ITN, one of Vodafone’s business customers, during the Coronation of King Charles III – without impacting the mobile data experience for everyone else. Since then, it has been used during sporting events at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium and at Glastonbury Festival to deliver meaningful benefits for both businesses and ordinary punters.
5G+ Local Slicing is now available to businesses and the public sector.
Is mmWave the same thing as 5G+ or 5G SA?
mmWave refers to the frequency of the radio waves used by 5G masts in some other countries, such as the US. mmWave is not currently used in the UK, outside of trials. For 5G+, VodafoneThree currently uses 700MHz, 900MHz, 2.1GHz and 3.4-3.6GHz frequencies for its radio waves, many of which it has been using for years. This selection of radio wave frequencies is a key reason why 5G SA is able to deliver greater speeds and capacity.
What happened to 5G Ultra?
5G+ is the new name for 5G Ultra.
Is 5G dangerous to my health?
No, it is . 5G is safe.
This article was originally published in June 2023 and was last updated in July 2026.
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