Adventurer Simon Reeve helps Vodafone bring fast, reliable 5G broadband to millions more UK households

Millions of UK homes without access to full fibre are still struggling with slow, unreliable broadband, with 20.4 million people saying they would even consider moving house to get a better connection. Now, Vodafone is helping to tackle the issue with the launch of Vodafone 5G Broadband, bringing fast, flexible connectivity to homes across the UK via its 5G network.

Vodafone’s new 5G Broadband offers full-fibre-like speeds and unlimited connectivity instantly[i], providing an alternative broadband solution for homes experiencing slow speeds, or anyone who wants more flexibility and ease – including movers, renters and students. By combining 5G Broadband with its existing full fibre footprint, Vodafone can now bring powerful, reliable broadband to over 26 million homes – more than any other UK provider[ii].

The launch comes as new research reveals the majority of Brits (87%) say a fast Wi-Fi connection at home is ‘essential’ in their day-to-day lives. Going the extra mile to deliver powerful broadband, Vodafone recruited adventurer Simon Reeve to traverse land and sea to get 5G routers to residents in picturesque Cornwall. And while they may enjoy an idyllic setting, with no reliable broadband available, their Wi-Fi is less than picture perfect. And it’s not just in the depths of the countryside, many Brits in towns and cities still can’t access reliable broadband at home. In fact, more than 60% of the 3.7 million UK homes currently without access to full fibre are located in cities.

The impact is clear. One in five (20%) have cut a visit to their parent’s house short due to poor connectivity, while 19% have ruled out a romantic partner without fast Wi-Fi. 20.4 million* Brits would even consider moving house if it meant they could connect to fast and reliable broadband – with over half (54%) willing to forgo a bigger house or garden for seamless connectivity.

And people are going to extraordinary lengths to stay connected, as poor home Wi-Fi disrupts the working week. New research reveals 87% say reliable connectivity is essential for their job, with 42% now working from home at least once a week. But when the signal drops, Brits are getting creative. Over half (55%) say they’ve taken work calls in unusual spots – from the garden (18%) and the car (14%), to even the bathroom (11%). The struggle has also sparked workplace embarrassment with “freeze face”, the awkward half-blink, open-mouth expression caught when video calls glitch – experienced by 53%.

For many, losing internet access brings work to a complete halt. Almost one in five (18%) admit they’ve logged off for the rest of the day, calling it a ‘technical write-off’.

And as nearly half of the population (49%) rely on their phone network to hotspot other devices – with 24% doing so daily due to slow and unreliable Wi-Fi – the impact is adding up. Nearly one in five (17%) say they burn through their monthly data to supplement their home broadband.

Simon Reeve said: “I’ve travelled to some of the most remote places on earth, and I know just how important it is to stay connected. Even at home in Devon, I’ve had to resort to wandering around a field, sitting on scaffolding and even banning my son from streaming to combat slow Wi-Fi. So, it’s significant that Vodafone is bringing powerful broadband to millions more homes across the UK that up to now have had to make do with slow connectivity. Vodafone 5G Broadband can be connected in an instant, and although my quest to get it to the Cornish countryside wasn’t straightforward, getting the locals connected to powerful broadband couldn’t have been simpler.”

Launching alongside Vodafone 5G Broadband is a new integrated availability checker on Vodafone.co.uk, designed to make choosing the right connection effortless. Customers simply enter their postcode to find out if full-fibre or 5G Broadband will give them the fastest speeds in their area. For homes where the outdoor 5G signal is stronger than indoors, Vodafone has introduced an outdoor hub to provide an extra boost.

A VodafoneThree spokesperson said: “Slow or unreliable broadband is still a daily frustration for millions of people across the nation, whether they live in a remote hamlet or the middle of a busy city. And our research shows just how much it impacts people’s lives. This launch means we’re giving customers real choice: full‑fibre broadband where it’s available, and powerful 5G Broadband where it’s not – plus, better options for anyone just wanting speed with ease and flexibility.

Together, our broadband offerings allow us to bring fast, reliable connectivity to more than 26 million homes across the UK, helping people stay connected in the way that works best for them.”