Vodafone Serves Up a 5G+ Challenge at Wimbledon
We've spotted a fun way Vodafone is showing off its 5G+ network this summer. As Official Connectivity Partner of The Championships, the company has set up a robotic arm at Wimbledon Park that lets fans try returning live serves from players like Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka.
The 5G+ Serve pulls data straight from the broadcast feed and fires the ball back at the exact speed and angle using a dedicated network slice. It's all powered by Vodafone's next-gen 5G Standalone tech, which independent tests have shown delivering the fastest 5G+ speeds in the UK.
Former rugby player Joe Marler gave it a go on day one and shared his thoughts:
“I was up for the challenge – I’m not a professional tennis player, but I’ve got decent reactions and some padel experience, so I backed myself going in. Safe to say, I was humbled. It’s a lot harder than it looks!
“It was amazing though. Vodafone’s 5G+ Serve really shows you just how fast and powerful the shots are. The atmosphere of live sport is incredible, and it’s great that Vodafone can use its network to give people a whole new way to experience the excitement and adrenaline of the game.”
New research from Vodafone found 34% of Brits reckon they could return a pro serve with training, though most of us massively underestimate just how quick those serves really are. The experience runs on 30 June at Wimbledon Park courts and slots are free to book.
It's a neat demo of low-latency 5G+ in action, the kind of performance that also matters for gaming and live sports streaming on the go. If you're shopping around for a new phone or SIM, compare the latest 5G deals on our site to see who's offering the best coverage where you are.
