Vodafone Business launches 5G+ network slicing for enterprises

Vodafone Business has launched SuperMobile for Business, introducing the UK’s first national 5G+ network slicing for enterprises. The dedicated slice isolates enterprise mobile traffic from consumer demand on the VodafoneThree network, providing businesses with dedicated 5G+ capacity, up to 4x faster speeds than standard plans, and a committed minimum download speed of 15mbps.

The deployment works directly with standard compatible business handsets, requiring no specialised user equipment, though access requires 5G+ eligible devices. Dedicated uplink and downlink capacity is configured to support real-time reporting, video collaboration, field operations, and data-intensive applications.

Dedicated capacity for enterprise operations

Nick Gliddon, Business Director at VodafoneThree, said: “We’re giving businesses performance built around how they work, on a National Business Slice that delivers dedicated capacity, assured performance, and committed performance targets.”

Vodafone Business has paired the national slice with Network Boost. When a subscriber moves outside 5G+ coverage zones, data traffic is prioritised on VodafoneThree’s public network rather than the dedicated business slice.

The portfolio also incorporates 5G+ Local Slicing, an architecture introduced earlier this year to provide contracted performance levels at bounded physical sites. That local deployment targets high-density environments, including entertainment venues, travel hubs, and logistics facilities.

Commercial network slicing tiers and public service rollout

Vodafone Business is offering the portfolio across enterprise tiers, forming part of VodafoneThree’s £11bn ten-year network investment programme. Small businesses with one to nine employees can access Vodafone SuperMobile on the national consumer slice from an additional £3 per month including VAT, while larger organisations can contract directly for the National Business Slice.

To support device management, the company is expanding its Device-as-a-Service model launched in July. The combined agreement bundles smartphone and tablet leasing with hardware lifecycle management alongside Vodafone SuperMobile for Business tariffs into a single monthly fee.

Organisations evaluating the connectivity portfolio include British Airways, Cadent Gas, Centrica, Co-op Live, Manchester Airports Group, Loganair, TATA Steel, and UK Power Networks.

Rich King, Head of IT at Loganair, commented: “Reliable connectivity is essential to keeping our operation running efficiently across some of the UK’s most remote locations.

“Working with Vodafone Business to explore advanced 5G capabilities will help us enhance operational resilience, support our colleagues on the ground, and continue improving the experience we deliver to our customers.”

Airfield trials and emergency service deployment

Manchester Airports Group is running a pilot of the 5G+ network slicing technology to evaluate ground team communications across airfield operations. UK Power Networks is also scheduling trials across its engineering teams to support field maintenance and incident response across its distribution network.

Andrew Quail, CIO at UK Power Networks, said: “Our engineers work across a wide and complex network, often in locations where they need immediate access to information, systems, and colleagues to keep work progressing.

“Vodafone SuperMobile has the potential to give our engineers greater confidence that they can remain connected when it matters, helping us support reliable operations and continue delivering an essential service to the millions of homes and businesses that rely on our network. We look forward to trialling it over the coming months.”

Vodafone Business will introduce a dedicated slice for blue light organisations and emergency responders next year. Built on VodafoneThree’s 5G Standalone network, that deployment will deliver priority connectivity and low-latency performance targets for first responders and public services.

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