5G rollout continues at pace with Vodafone in UK; Samsung, US
Despite the fact that the phones in most people’s pockets don’t have 5G capabilities, the next generation wireless communications technology is big business.
With 2020 expected to be the year 5G phones go mainstream, companies across the world are working to expand coverage and ensure customers can actually make the most of their shiny new phones.
In the UK, for instance, British telecommunications conglomerate Vodafone has brought 5G to Edinburgh, Leeds and towns in and around Greater Manchester. Including roaming locations, Vodafone says its users now have access to 5G in over 100 locations in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Republic of Ireland.
Vodafone UK Chief Executive Officer Nick Jeffery said: “We have started the new year as we mean to go on. We now offer 5G in double the number of places than our nearest rival and we have significantly boosted the capacity of our network. It is ready for the arrival in 2020 of some great new 5G handsets and the next big software release bringing ultra-low latency. Together, these will push 5G to the next level.”
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In the same vein, in the United States Samsung Electronics has announced the acquisition of a Virginian telecommunications company and its 5G solutions.
The acquisition of TeleWorld Solutions was said by Samsung to address “the need for end-to-end support” as 5G increases demand for the design and deployment of networks.
“The acquisition of TWS will enable us to meet mobile carriers’ growing needs for improving their 4G and 5G networks, and eventually create new opportunities to enhance our service capabilities to our customers,” said Paul Kyungwhoon Cheun, Executive Vice President and Head of Networks Business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung will continue to drive innovation in communications technology while providing optimization services for network deployments that accelerate U.S. 5G network expansion.”
