(Alliance News) - Vodafone Group PLC on Wednesday said it has agreed to share 5G active equipment with O2 Telefonica UK Ltd on joint network sites across the UK.
The FTSE 100-listed telecommunications firm said network sharing reaps the benefits of 5G and at the same time reduces the impact on the environment and lowers roll-out costs allowing more investment in services for customers.
Vodafone said it has also agreed with O2 to greater 5G network autonomy on 2,700 sites in 23 of the UK's larger cities. It gives both parties more flexibility to meet the needs of their customers and deploy future network technologies.
At these sites, Vodafone said each party will install their own radio equipment, fibre connection and power supply, whilst continuing to limit the environmental impact by sharing the physical elements such as the mast.
"We're driving our 5G roll-out forward with this agreement, and taking our customers, our business and the whole of the UK with us," said Vodafone UK Chief Executive Nick Jeffery.
"This agreement will enable us to roll-out 5G faster and more efficiently, benefiting customers while delivering value for our business," added Telefonica UK CEO Mark Evans.
Vodafone shares were trading 0.3% higher on Wednesday in London at 131.24 pence each.
Vodafone (VOD)