Press Release | 18 Feb 2019

Vodafone mini masts make big difference to JCB Staffordshire quarries

Two of JCB’s quarries in rural Staffordshire now have faster data and great voice calls throughout, thanks to mini masts from Vodafone UK.

Around half the height of a standard mast, the mini masts can be painted to fit in with the local surroundings. The masts also require less power and electronic equipment.  This means they are ideally suited to providing a mobile signal in hard-to-reach rural business locations, such as the two JCB sites, near its World Headquarters.

Mark Turner, JCB Chief Operating Officer said: “The new Vodafone masts deliver key benefits on two important fronts. They ensure employees at our quarries are connected at all times for maximum safety and from a business perspective, they give excellent connectivity, internet and data speeds throughout the entirety of these very remote locations.”

Scott Petty, Vodafone UK’s Chief Technology Officer said: “Nearly 25 per cent of all registered businesses in England are located in rural areas*.  These businesses need great connectivity, but often the surroundings can hinder the rollout of broadband and mobile coverage.  This is why we are developing systems like the mini mast. We are delighted to help JCB with this great technology to help them with their business.”

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Notes to 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

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Email: ukmediarelations@vodafone.com

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

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