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In early 2024, Vodafone reaffirmed its intentions to extend 5G Standalone coverage in Scotland to approximately 90% by 20234.
This commitment came during a reception held at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, where several Members of the Scottish Parliament, trade associations and media representatives attended.
Many Industries Will Benefit
5G boasts faster speeds and load times necessary in today’s fast-paced world. As technology continues to shape different sectors, innovations that require quicker speeds for optimal performance continue to emerge. Take, for example, an industry like the online casino. Game providers are evolving to include game categories like bingo, which have high-tech visuals and graphics. With speeds of up to 10 times faster than 4G, 5G ensures that such games load faster, enhancing gameplay.
More sectors are set to benefit from the network, including agriculture. Farmers will be able to integrate innovations like soil sensors, improve productivity and stir rural economic growth. In a previous study, Vodafone established that using 5G-enabled sensors could lower chemical usage by up to 30% and enhance efficiency by 15%. The study added that farmers could optimise water consumption by about 30% by applying tools like 5G-connected weather stations. In energy, implementing the technology in wind farms could help light up to an extra 2.4 million homes.
From the reception, it was clear that Scotland would gain up to £9 billion in productivity from the spread of the technology by 2030. Surprisingly, Vodafone UK found that about 46% of rural deprived communities had not received the 5G network. The most available 5G networks in the UK rely on a non-standalone architecture, which partly depends on 4G. With 5G Standalone, however, users can enjoy the full potential of a pure end-to-end 5G network, such as network slicing, enhanced security, etc.
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Other Telecoms are Also in the Game
In just 2023, Vodafone was named as UK’s first operator to establish the 5GSA with the 5G Ultra package. Some cities that first benefited from the launch included Manchester, Glasgow and London. Later, in February 2024, Virgin Media O2 switched on its 5GSA technology across 14 cities, including Glasgow. The upgrades came amidst the company’s target to reach over 3,000 rural homes in Scotland.
According to Cebr’s economic modelling, the UK economy could gain up to £16.3bn from this investment while creating jobs for about 108,000 people. Previously, in 2023, Virgin Media O2 rolled out a 5G network across 1427 homes and upgraded its 4G network for about 2,158 postcodes in Scotland alone. As many stakeholders believe that rural small businesses hold a great place in the UK’s economy, Jeanie York, chief technology officer at Virgin Media O2, encouraged more collaborations with industry partners that could foster further spread of 5G.
As Scotland marches towards a digital future, the widespread deployment of 5G networks is a pivotal enabler of business growth and innovation. From enhanced connectivity to driving economic growth, 5G will continue to foster the establishment of a more competitive and connected business landscape in the country.
