Vodafone has conducted what it claims is the first live holographic, call using 5G to showcase the technology’s speed and potential for diverse applications.
Vodafone made a phone call from its Manchester office to a stage in front of an audience at Vodafone’s U.K. headquarters in Newbury through 5G technology. One person appeared as a hologram while the other was on regular video chat. The hologram, which was of Manchester City women’s soccer team Captain Steph Houghton, gave pointers on how to become a better soccer player. Vodafone said this shows how 5G technology could bring new features to sports, such as remote coaching and training, or offer new experiences for fans.
Holographic calls may become a common thing with 5G. Source: VodafoneVodafone had already announced it was planning to begin testing 5G this year in seven cities in the U.K., and will expand its deployment to Cornwall and the Lake District in 2019. By 2020, Vodafone plans to have 1,000 5G sites.
While holographic calling is one feature that will be possible with 5G, Vodafone has launched additional initiatives. One of these initiatives will include developing new consumer products and services for 5G such as a pet tracker, luggage tracker and a device that helps keep track of keys, laptops, briefcases and other valuables. The company is also partnering with PayPal to give young customers access to the latest smartphone handsets with a one-click payment method.
Vodafone said it plans to spend an additional $916 million over on its network in the U.K., in addition to the multi-billion dollar investment over the last few years. This will allow home broadband, mobile, internet of things (IoT) and business services over a single, all-fiber, converged network.
