Press Release | 12 Feb 2018

Vodafone introduces first UK 4G mini mobile mast

Surfer on the phone at Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall

Vodafone UK has achieved an industry first with the successful trial of a new 4G mini mobile mast in the small village of Porthcurno on the southern Cornish coast.

A surfer going past the UK's first successfully tested 4G mini mobile mast, installed at Porthcurno, Cornwall
A surfer going past the UK’s first successfully tested 4G mini mobile mast, installed at Porthcurno, Cornwall

Vodafone UK has achieved an industry first with the successful trial of a new 4G mini mobile mast in the small village of Porthcurno on the southern Cornish coast.

The mini mast is now providing customers with 4G mobile data speeds of more than 200 megabits per second (Mbps) – as well as a strong voice signal – for the first time across this historic part of the country, including Porthcurno beach.

The telescopic mini mast is only eight metres high when extended to its tallest point and is around half the height of the shortest standard mast. It can be painted to blend in with its environment in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and unlike other mobile masts, it does not require a large technology cabinet to house the power supply and electronics.

Developed in partnership with infrastructure technology company, CommScope, the mini mast can be placed at rural hotels, leisure and retail parks, and tourist attractions. They are also much quicker to install, taking around six months to become fully operational –  approximately a third of the time it takes to install a standard mast.

Vodafone UK’s Chief Technology Officer Scott Petty said: “We’re working hard to connect customers across the UK and our new mini mast will help provide 4G in places where other networks struggle to reach, while minimising the visual and environmental impact. It forms part of our major investment in our network and services to provide our customers reliable coverage where they live, work and travel.”

Derek Thomas, MP for West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (St Ives), added: “The quality of mobile phone signal in West Cornwall is a subject that is regularly raised with me, as is the need to protect and preserve our countryside. This new mast offers the opportunity to reduce the visual impact of phone masts, whilst addressing people’s desire for improved connectivity. I’m pleased that the Vodafone mini mast is now in place and welcome any additional innovations that enable us to stay connected.”

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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.

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