New Research Shows Discrepancy in Vodafone’s 5G Ultra Service Between London and Birmingham
Fresh research conducted by SignalTracker app [1] has revealed that Vodafone customers in London are three times more likely to have access to the latest type of 5G [2] compared to those in Birmingham. However, despite being advertised as a 5G service, Vodafone’s premier offering – 5G Ultra – was found to only provide 4G connectivity for majority of the time in both cities.
SignalTracker, a mobile app developed by PolicyTracker, performed thousands of tests in London and Birmingham and found that Vodafone’s flagship service – “standalone 5G” [3] – was only available in 27% of tests in London and a mere 9% in Birmingham.
In London, the best signal was primarily found in central locations such as Westminster, Lambeth, Soho, and Waterloo. However, outer regions like Barking, Bromley, and Kingston had significantly worse signal quality. In Birmingham, despite being a part of Vodafone’s 5G rollout plan, standalone 5G was only accessible in the city centre and the Bullring shopping centre. A mere six-minute walk into the nearby Digbeth area saw a drop in signal quality to 4G, even for users on a 5G Ultra plan.
Majority of Tests Show 4G Connectivity
The research also highlighted a quirk in smartphone technology, where even though the device shows a 5G symbol, it is actually connected to 4G. This is because the base station has 5G capabilities, but they are not being used by the connected device. In Birmingham, 90% of tests on 5G Ultra were actually on 4G, and even when the 5G icon was displayed, it was actually 4G for 82% of the time. Similarly, in London, 72% of tests on 5G Ultra were on 4G, and 57% of the time when the 5G icon was shown, it was actually on 4G.
“This can lead to confusion for customers,” said Martin Sims, Managing Director of PolicyTracker. “Particularly in Birmingham, many will wonder why a premier service isn’t delivering the promised 5G standalone more frequently. In both cities, the majority of our tests on Vodafone’s ‘ultrafast’ 5G standalone service came back as 4G. It is a disappointing reminder of how far the UK’s 5G rollout has to go.”
SignalTracker app provides users with information about their actual 5G connection, including signal strength, bands used, and download speed. The app also allows users to save their results and compare network performance in different locations. It is available for download on Google Play.
For the full research, visit: https://signal-tracker.net/londoners-three-…to-get-latest-5g/
Contact Details:
Cameron Hill
Journalist
SignalTracker
Cameron@policytracker.com
Work mobile: +44 (0)7553 310368
Office: +44(0)20 7100 2875
Notes for Editors:
[1] About Signal Tracker
The figures quoted in this research are based on over 15,500 tests conducted by PolicyTracker in London and Birmingham over the past three months using the SignalTracker app. The app, available on Google Play, allows consumers to compare the service from different operators based on metrics such as signal strength, speed, and bands used. Users can also save this information for different locations. Visit the website for more information. The SignalTracker app is also available for commercial and regulatory organizations to provide detailed spectrum usage data.
[2] Vodafone 5G Ultra
Vodafone 5G Ultra is the mobile operator’s standalone 5G service, promising greater coverage, ten times faster speeds than 4G, and the ability to connect in busy places such as festivals and stadiums. The company’s benchmark is that on 5G Ultra, a full HD film can be downloaded in “approximately three minutes.” As of June 2025, a sim-only plan for “Unlimited Max” – Vodafone’s fastest service – costs £36 per month.
[3] 5G Technology
Most 5G connections in the UK are currently 5G non-standalone (5G NSA), which connects to the existing 4G network using a 4G band but downloads data using a 5G connection. The next stage of 5G technology, 5G standalone (5G SA), does not use the 4G network but currently has limited deployment.
[4] Publishing Rights
Should you choose to publish information from this press release, you MUST include a hyperlink to https://signal-tracker.net/londoners-three-times-more-likely-than-brummies
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.