5G. Some are calling it an exponential leap forward in speed, reliability and connectivity – the biggest innovation in communication for over a decade. But what does this actually mean for you?
It means things are going to change. Life is about to become smarter, safer, more efficient, more reliable than ever; in ways most of us can’t even imagine.
Vodafone Group has already launched 5G in the UK, Germany, Spain and Italy. Since then, people have already begun to experience world-changing innovations in healthcare, manufacturing, automobiles, transport, agriculture, gaming, media and entertainment.
So if you want to be the first to try life to the power of 5G, come with us. Together, let’s see what 5G can do.
What makes 5G better?
5G is a network that’s faster, smarter and more reliable in every way.
Increased network capacity
5G will keep more people online, more often, using beamforming technology. This means staying connected, at higher speeds, even in a crowd.
Even faster speed
With increased channels, mobile network speeds will be faster than ever, allowing higher streaming, faster gaming and more real-time connectivity.
Lower network latency
5G will have under 20 milliseconds of latency, making it lightning-fast for gaming & streaming plus exceptionally responsive for business applications.
Where will 5G be available?
5G will be rolling out in December 2019 to select locations across Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown
5G around the world
Being part of a global network, Vodafone has been helping customers explore the life-changing potential of 5G in the UK and multiple countries across Europe.
UK's first live 5G holographic call
Watch England women’s football captain Steph Houghton appear as a live 3D hologram via 5G to share some football tips with a fan.
See a blind skier conquer the slopes
Watch a blind skier make her first ever slope descent aided only by real-time instructions from her instructor over 5G.
Frequently asked questions
When will 5G start to roll out around New Zealand?
5G is not available anywhere in New Zealand yet, but it's coming. Vodafone will roll out 5G in the coming months, ready to switch 5G on, in December 2019.
Which areas will get 5G first?
Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown are the first places in New Zealand where 5G will be available, with more to follow.
How fast is 5G?
Peak speeds with 5G could be up to 10x the speed of 4G. Better still, 5G could reduce latency to under 20ms, or even lower.
What does latency mean, and why does 5G reduce latency?
We experience latency as responsiveness. For example, after entering a web address, does the page load straight away or are you left drumming your fingers? A slow network, bandwidth at capacity or a large chunk of data being sent are the things that typically causes lag time. New technologies and network infrastructure behind 5G will significantly reduce the lag and cut down response time to a few milliseconds, compared to 4G’s many tens of milliseconds. This means you can expect lightning fast responses, which opens up lots of exciting opportunities when you think of 5G, robots and self-driving cars.
What about 4G?
It’s important to remember that 4G and 5G networks will co-exist in the future, so we’re continuing to invest significantly in our 4G network to ensure our customers have a consistently awesome experience and to ensure that, wherever you are, you can get access to the best available network experience.
Is this really 5G – or more like 4.5G or 4.9G?
We will be launching a 5G network that is based on 3GPP Release 15 standards. This standard defines the 5G New Radio interface, operating in a non-standalone mode i.e. using 4G as the anchor network. It is GSMA R15 5G compliant and as rolled out in other world leading markets.
We’re launching 5G in the most popular global spectrum band (3.5GHz). This technology will form the foundation upon which we will build our 5G network through 2020 and beyond – and has been tested in live international networks including Vodafone Italy (which launched 5G in June).
Due to mobility management and 4G/5G carrier aggregation features, customers will seamlessly move between networks.
Will 5G work on my current phone?
To get the benefits, you’ll need a 5G capable device in one of these locations, on an eligible plan.
Most phones coming out in 2020 will be designed to support 5G. Some phones coming out later this year may also be 5G ready. However, if you have an older phone, chances are your current phone may not support 5G. We will be announcing 5G phones and 5G enabled plans soon.
Is 5G safe to use?
Yes, 5G is safe. Like other wireless technologies that have been around for many decades such as microwaves, radios, and televisions, 5G technology uses non-ionising radio frequency that, just like 2G, 3G, 4G, and your home WiFi isn’t harmful. 5G operates well within the safety limits set out by existing international EMF exposure guidelines, which incorporate substantial safety margins, to deliver protection for everyone against health risks.
Learn more about 5G and health.