Vodafone’s 4G roll-out gathers pace
Vodafone’s 4G services are now available in more than 230 towns and cities across the UK, including Huddersfield and Gateshead.
The most recent switch-on was in Swindon on 22nd May. The roll-out of these services has been quite stealthy but has grown a great deal since the initial ten major cities joined the network when the company’s LTE network was launched last year. More than half a million people are now subscribed to Vodafone’s 4G service.
Also connected to 4G services are Greater Manchester, the counties of Kent and Surrey, and Brighton, Sunderland and Inner London.
Vodafone has not included many specific locations in its list of 4G-ready places, however, and there is some speculation that it has made the list seem much more comprehensive by including multiple places that are within a larger conurbation. One example is that the company has separated Brighton and Hove on its list, with Brighton & Hove generally considered to be one location.
In comparison to the Vodafone service, EE has stated that it now covers more than 200 towns and cities with its 4G network; however, EE does seem to have stricter guidelines about the definition of a 4G settlement. A location can only be added to EE’s list if 80% of the location is covered by the 4G network, for example. O2 is claiming that 191 towns and cities are covered, but it is also thought that this figure has been bulked up a little. Vodafone is making a £1 billion investment in its UK infrastructure, with 4G a major part of this.