"The initiatives weve launched today are designed to ensure that everyone can benefit from the digital technologies transforming how we live and work"
Vodafone UK Chief Executive Nick Jeffery
Vodafone today conducted the UK’s first live holographic call using 5G technology. This is a significant milestone in UK communications. The speed of 5G will enable applications as diverse as remote robotic surgery and 4K gaming on the move.
The call today from Vodafone’s Manchester office featured England and Manchester City Women’s Football Captain, Steph Houghton MBE. Using 5G technology, Steph appeared as a live 3D hologram on stage in front of an audience at Vodafone’s UK headquarters in Newbury.
Steph’s hologram gave footballing tips to 11-year-old Manchester City and Lionesses fan, Iris, in Newbury. The exchange demonstrated the exciting possibilities that new technology can bring to sport, including remote coaching and training, as well as the opportunity to bring sports fans closer to their idols.
The call follows the announcement in June this year that seven cities will become Vodafone 5G trial areas from next month. We are also announcing today that Cornwall and the Lake District will receive 5G during 2019, and that we will have 1,000 5G sites by 2020.
With its track-record as a British communications and technology pioneer, Vodafone is committed to helping the UK advance as a digital leader. We are already driving the UK’s transition to a full-fibre future through our partnership with CityFibre. In addition to today’s holographic call, Vodafone is announcing a package of initiatives to drive innovation and growth across the UK.
Vodafone UK Chief Executive Nick Jeffery said:“Vodafone has a history of firsts in UK telecoms – we made the nation’s first mobile phone call, sent the first text and now we’ve conducted the UK’s first holographic call using 5G. We also lead the industry in Internet of Things (IoT) technology, with the world’s largest dedicated global IoT network.
“The initiatives we’ve launched today are designed to ensure that everyone can benefit from the digital technologies transforming how we live and work. From our customers and employees, to university students, digital entrepreneurs and businesses, we want to help people across the UK get ready for a digital future.”
The package of new initiatives includes:
− Vodafone is boosting digital entrepreneurship with a new technology centre and digital incubator in Manchester, in collaboration with the Mayor of Greater Manchester and MediaCityUK.
− Frontline employees in Vodafone retail stores and contact centres who would like to make the transition to a digital career can learn to code with Code Ready, a new digital skills programme. It will begin in pilot phase in Manchester with a planned intake of 20-30 people in September 2019.
