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Wellington Airport provides travellers sneak preview of 5G

Wellington Airport provides travellers sneak preview of 5G

Teams up with Vodafone to offer travellers a chance to try 5G speeds for free - but only for five minutes at a time

Credit: Dreamstime

Fixed wireless access is a key use case of 5G, so we’re pleased to show Kiwis the potential that exists

Tony Baird, Vodafone NZ

Travellers passing through Wellington Airport can try out 5G speeds for themselves by connecting to a Nokia FastMile 5G Gateway device. 

“We wanted to give travellers the chance to try out our live 5G network before we officially switch it on across parts of the country,” says Tony Baird, Vodafone New Zealand technology director. 

This free trial to test 5G over Wi-Fi will enable passengers to download their favourite content at super-fast speeds. 

“We are proud to be the first provider to open up 5G for anyone to test, and are looking forward to turning on our commercial 5G network very soon,” says Baird. 

The free trial will last for one week (until December 9) and allows up to five users to connect to the 5G-wireless device for five minutes at a time. 

Vodafone explains users need to have a Wi-Fi enabled device and be near the 5G stand located in the centre of the main terminal opposite gate 18. 

Credit: Vodafone NZ

They can connect to ‘Free 5G WLG’ with the password ‘Vodafone5G’ – and will be logged off after five minutes so another traveller can give it a go before their flight. 

“We expect people will be able to download a TV show potentially up to 10 times faster than they could over a 4G connection, or load a web page almost instantly over 5G without buffering or lag,” says Baird. 

“This means they’ll have plenty of time to download an episode of their favourite TV series to watch on their flight. 

“Fixed wireless access is a key use case of 5G, so we’re pleased to show Kiwis the potential that exists.” 

Due to its faster speeds, low latency and increased capacity, 5G is able to support smart airports as well as better connected cars, businesses, schools and homes. 

Greg Thomas, spokesperson at Wellington Airport spokesperson, says providing access to a fast and reliable mobile connection is becoming ever more important, especially for business travellers looking to stay in touch with colleagues, customers and suppliers. 

“We’re pleased to partner with Vodafone to offer Wellington Airport visitors the chance to try 5G before the network is officially switched on.”

Tony BairdCredit: Vodafone
Tony Baird

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