Vodafone Germany is set to use additional 3.5GHz frequencies for its 5G network, after receiving approval from the Federal Network Agency (FNA). The operator launched its 5G service in July last year using 3.5GHz spectrum acquired from Telefonica Deutschland in 2018, but has now been given the go-ahead to utilise the frequencies it acquired at auction last year. Vodafone says the move will allow it to increase the speed of its existing 5G network – currently available in 50 cities and municipalities – from around 500Mbps up to a maximum of 1Gbps, while all new antennas will support those higher rates from the start.
Vodafone aims to reach around ten million people with its 5G network by the end of this year, with coverage doubling to 20 million by the end of 2021.