Compare Deals and save hundreds of pounds Sim Only Deals Phone Deals Vodafone actually offers multiple different kinds of home broadband, but here when we refer to Vodafone home broadband we’re referring to home broadband powered by Vodafone’s mobile network – in other words 4G or 5G.
What this means is you’d get a router that can connect to mobile signals, just like a smartphone, but then would use those signals to create a Wi-Fi network in your home.
There are no wires between the router and the source of the signals (a nearby mast) and that’s the main difference between this and fibre home broadband, which uses cables to bring a signal to your router – though fibre also isn’t using 4G or 5G signals.
The Vodafone home broadband that we’re referring to here is also different to Vodafone mobile broadband, the latter of which being a similar idea, but with a battery-powered router, so you can get your gadgets online wherever you go.
There are lots of advantages to 4G and 5G home broadband, including how quick and simple it is to set it up. With fibre broadband, you usually need to arrange an engineer to come out and install it for you, and the wait for this can sometimes be weeks. But with 4G and 5G home broadband, it’s plug-and-play, so even the tech averse can get up and running in no time. The only waiting is for the router to arrive, meaning you could have your broadband live a day or two after placing your order.
Vodafone home broadband is also good as a temporary Wi-Fi solution, because not only is it quick to get set up, but it’s also available on 30 day plans, so you don’t have to commit to a lengthy contract. That makes it a viable choice while you wait for fibre broadband to be installed, or if you’re just staying somewhere short term.
4G or 5G home broadband could also prove faster than your fibre broadband options, particularly if you’re somewhere that doesn’t have good fibre service – though note that the fastest full fibre plans are still faster than even 5G home broadband.
But they’re also often more expensive, and with 5G and 4G home broadband there’s no need for a landline, so you can save money there too if you don’t use yours.
Plus, you can take your Vodafone home broadband with you when you move house or even if you’re simply staying somewhere temporarily (such as a hotel or a holiday home). You can simply plug it in elsewhere, and as long as there’s a Vodafone signal you’ll be set.
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Max Download Speeds |
Up to 1.6Gbps |
Up to 3.8Gbps |
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Max Upload Speeds |
Up to 50Mbps |
Up to 280Mbps |
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Maximum Connected devices |
64 |
64 |
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Wi-Fi |
Dual Band 802.11b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz and 5GHz) |
Dual-band 802.11a/b/n/ac/ax 4 x 4 MIMO (2.4GHz and 5GHz) |
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Ethernet Ports |
2 |
2 |
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External Antenna |
Yes x2 (sold separately) |
No |
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There are two different Vodafone home broadband devices available, namely the Vodafone GigaCube 5G and the Vodafone GigaCube 4G.
The GigaCube 5G is a rebranded ZTE MC888 Ultra, meaning it has a theoretical maximum download speed of 3.8Gbps (though Vodafone and all UK networks are slower than that). Still, being 5G this is the fastest option on Vodafone, and it’s still very speedy. Realistically you can expect average speeds of somewhere between 100-250Mbps in most places, but certain homes will be capable of far higher if coverage is strong enough.
It can also get up to 64 devices connected to the internet, and it has two Ethernet ports for if you want a wired connection to anything.
The Vodafone GigaCube 4G is much slower as it’s a 4G device, but the hardware can theoretically support download speeds of up to 1.6Gbps (which again is far higher than you’ll get on a UK mobile network).
This can also get up to 64 devices online at the same time, and it also has two Ethernet ports for wired connections.
Vodafone has 99% population coverage with 4G, as well as having 5G coverage in an ever increasing number of locations. So the upshot is you’ll probably be able to get Vodafone 4G home broadband and may well be able to get Vodafone 5G home broadband – and if you can’t it’s likely only a matter of time until your home does have the relevant coverage.
Vodafone isn’t alone in offering 4G and 5G home broadband. You can also get this from Three and EE, and well as from National Broadband, which is partnered with the UK’s mobile networks so it can provide broadband using whichever network has the best coverage at your home.
