Press Release | 12 Jun 2018

Vodafone turns on advanced network in Bath

Vodafone UK is rolling out an ultra-fast network across the historic city of Bath. With upgrades currently taking place and further improvements planned over the next few months, the investment will bring much faster data speed and high-quality voice calls to residents, businesses and visitors across the city and wider area.

Photograph of Bath Spa University
Bath Spa University with Vodafone’s 4G mini mobile mast in the background

Vodafone UK is rolling out an ultra-fast network across the historic city of Bath. With upgrades currently taking place and further improvements planned over the next few months, the investment will bring much faster data speed and high-quality voice calls to residents, businesses and visitors across the city and wider area.

At the same time, Bath Spa University at Newton Park, which houses a number of the university’s 7,500 students, has also received a high-speed mobile data boost. It has become the second location in the UK to receive Vodafone’s new and unique 4G mini mobile mast*. At half the height of a standard mast, the telescopic mini mast is painted to blend in with its environment and unlike other mobile masts, it does not require a large technology cabinet to house the power supply and electronics. This means we can now provide Bath Spa University students with the fastest data network on campus. Students on VOXI – Vodafone’s new mobile network for under 30s – will receive unlimited data for social media apps.

The University’s Chief Operating Officer, Neil Latham, said: “Being based in a rural setting, ensuring good mobile coverage is vital for our students and staff. This additional mast is in line with local planning rules, and is improving coverage both on campus and for our local neighbours.”

As part of our largest ever network investment programme, we’ve also already upgraded 15 sites across the city and linked them together with our ultra-fast, fibre-optic network to meet the growing demand for mobile data services and get the Bath network ready for the arrival of 5G in the UK in the next few years. As a result, we are already carrying 90% more mobile data from users in the area than a year ago.

At the heart of our advanced 4G network throughout the city is a technology called carrier aggregation, which combines different bands of spectrum – radio frequencies used to transmit mobile signals – to increase capacity and improve data speeds. Over 93% of the city has got this super-charged 4G service, meaning customers can use their mobile devices to stream HD videos and access the Internet in seconds.

Vodafone UK’s Chief Technology Officer Scott Petty added: “Installing a future-proof digital communications network in a world heritage site is not without its challenges. I’m delighted that by working closely with Bath Spa University, local authorities and residents, we will be able to build a network that Bath can be proud of, while minimising the aesthetic impact on the ancient city. Our new mini mobile mast is just one of many new ways we are ensuring that Bath gets first rate mobile connectivity without impacting its historic splendour.”

-ends- 

Notes for Editors

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

Registered in England No: 1471587