This article was 1st published on our sister Site, The Internet Of All Things.
Vodafone yesterday conducted the UK’s first ‘live’ holographic call using 5G technology.
Vodafone said the call from Vodafone’s Manchester office featured England and Manchester City Women’s Football Captain, Steph Houghton MBE. Using 5G technology, Steph appeared as a ‘live’ 3D hologram on stage in front of an audience at Vodafone’s UK headquarters in Newbury.
Steph’s hologram gave footballing tips to 11-year-old Manchester City and Lionesses fan, Iris, in Newbury. The exchange demonstrated the exciting possibilities that new technology can bring to sport, including remote coaching and training, as well as the opportunity to bring sports fans closer to their idols.
The call follows the announcement in June this year that seven cities will become Vodafone 5G trial areas from next month. Vodafone said that Cornwall and the Lake District will receive 5G during 2019, and that it will have 1,000 5G sites by 2020.
Vodafone UK Chief Executive Nick Jeffery said, “Vodafone has a history of firsts in UK telecoms – we made the nation’s first mobile phone call, sent the first text and now we’ve conducted the UK’s first holographic call using 5G. We also lead the industry in Internet of Things (IoT) technology, with the world’s largest dedicated global IoT network.
“The initiatives we’ve launched today are designed to ensure that everyone can benefit from the digital technologies transforming how we live and work. From our customers and employees, to university students, digital entrepreneurs and businesses, we want to help people across the UK get ready for a digital future.”
The package of new initiatives includes:
• Boosting digital entrepreneurship:
– A new technology centre and digital incubator in Manchester, in collaboration with the Mayor of Greater Manchester and MediaCityUK.
– Vodafone Techstarter, an award for innovative technology with social purpose. Techstarter offers a £300,000 fund through a partnership with the Vodafone Foundation and Social Tech Trust, the UK’s leading supporter of socially-motivated tech ventures.
– Bright Sparks, a mentorship programme for digital start-ups in partnership with Oxford University Innovation.
• Offering new business solutions:
− The UK’s first self-optimising tariff which automatically moves business customers to the most cost-effective tariff for them.
− The Gigacube, a mobile WiFi device delivering instant, superfast connectivity for up to 20 users, ideal for anyone wanting to set up a satellite office, pop-up shop or restaurant.
− Software Defined Networking, giving customers control over their network.
− Dedicated Ethernet, offering the fastest optical fibre links on the market.
− Narrowband IoT to connect thousands of smart devices in hard to reach areas.
Image Credit: Vodafone UK
