Good news for customers as Vodafone confirms major upgrade of its network in Waterford
Existing 3G network will upgrade to a more sustainable, efficient and reliable 4G and 5G network service
Thousands of Vodafone customers across Waterford are set to benefit from a major upgrade programme which will provide enhanced coverage and connectivity.
The telecommunications company says its existing 3G network will upgrade to a more sustainable, efficient, and reliable 4G and 5G network service, with the 3G service no longer being available.
Vodafone customers across the city and county will have a new and improved experience once the upgrade is complete.
"This includes improvements in areas surrounding popular attractions such as Waterford Regional Sports Centre, Kilbarry Nature Park, and Tramore Beach, ensuring customers benefit from improved coverage and connectivity," said a spokesperson.
Vodafone says it has also strengthened its network in towns like Kilmeaden, Ardmore, and Fenor ensuring locals, tourists and businesses stay connected throughout the region.
Commenting on the network infrastructure upgrade, Sheila Kavanagh, Vodafone Ireland’s Network Director said: “Upgrading our 3G network to 4G and 5G will futureproof and enhance the customer experience on our mobile network for our customers throughout Waterford and all across Ireland. 3G provided an initial foundation to build out connectivity, but the network technology on 4G and 5G has now sufficiently developed to give our customers a faster and more sustainable mobile experience that lessens the impact on the environment.”
According to Vodafone, customers in the cities of Limerick, Cork, Galway, and Dublin, have already reported a 20% improvement in downlink speeds, a 15% improvement in uplink speeds, and a 10% increase in time spent in 4G/5G coverage, following the completion of similar upgrades in those counties.
Ahead of switching off of the 3G service, Vodafone is encouraging the small number of customers in Waterford who currently have 3G-only handsets to upgrade to 4G or 5G devices.
After the 3G network is switched off, customers with a 3G handset will continue to have access to phone calls and text messaging on the 2G network. However, they will not have access to any data services.
Customers can visit stores, the Vodafone Ireland website or use Vodafone’s 24/7 online chat assistant, TOBi, to find out more information.
Data dependency on 3G has also significantly reduced in recent years, with less than 1% of data traveling on Vodafone’s 3G network nationwide.
As part of its commitment to providing enhanced connectivity, Vodafone says it will ensure that all sites currently using 3G will have at least 4G, if not 5G, enabled across the city and county before proceeding with the 3G switch-off.
Over the past three years, Vodafone has put €300 million into its network nationwide, with plans to invest half a billion euro over the next four years.
This investment aims to improve call and text reliability, provide fast-acting 4G and 5G services, and expand high-definition voice coverage.