VodafoneThree introduced SuperMobile, a new consumer offer built around 5G network slicing, with a minimum connectivity guarantee of 15 Mbit/s. The operator said the service could be up to four times faster than its standard plans.
BT-owned EE had already launched its own 5G Fast Lane before VodafoneThree announced SuperMobile.
How VodafoneThree is packaging the slice
VodafoneThree said SuperMobile runs on its standalone 5G network, marketed as 5G+, and that slicing lets it reserve capacity for a subset of users. Andrea Dona, VodafoneThree’s chief technology officer, said the company can dedicate part of the network to specific groups and allocate resources when demand is highest.
The operator also said it will stop selling SuperMobile in an area if it can no longer guarantee 15 Mbit/s for every customer there. That is the operational constraint that matters here: the offer is not open-ended.
More than one slice is planned
VodafoneThree plans to split its network into multiple slices, including a consumer SuperMobile slice, a national business slice, and a critical infrastructure slice next year. The last of those is aimed at emergency services and similar users.
The company also said the service will not solve coverage problems. VodafoneThree’s 5G coverage stands at 70%, and the operator and EE are targeting 99% coverage by 2030.
What the spectrum and site numbers say
VodafoneThree said it will operate between 26,000 and 28,000 sites across the UK after decommissioning unwanted sites. It said that would leave it with roughly 7,000 more sites than EE.
The operator also said it holds 210MHz of spectrum in the 3.4GHz to 3.8GHz band, ahead of EE’s 80MHz and Virgin Media O2’s 100MHz. Dona said VodafoneThree has the strongest spectrum portfolio in the market.
What this means for wholesale and enterprise buyers
For enterprise customers, the relevant detail is that VodafoneThree says it will add a national business slice, and it has tied the consumer offer to a 15 Mbit/s minimum. That creates a benchmark for any buyer evaluating whether network slicing is being sold as a premium capacity product or just a marketing label.
For mobile competitors, the combination of a guaranteed floor, a cutoff if the guarantee cannot be met, and a later critical infrastructure slice sets out the terms VodafoneThree is willing to disclose publicly.
Capital spend and revenue pressure
VodafoneThree pledged to invest £11 billion, or US$14.9 billion, in capital expenditure over the next few years. It also reported a 0.7% year-over-year decline in mobile service revenue for the June-ending quarter.
The network build-out is being backed by an Ericsson-built core for slicing. That is the infrastructure layer underneath the offer, and it is part of the reason the company can sell the service as a separable slice rather than a generic network upgrade.