Manchester Airport announced plans to become first UK airport to offer 5G-enable services to passengers. Credit: The Manchester Airports Group plc.

British telecom major Vodafone has partnered with Manchester Airport to test 5G mobile technology services to enable passengers to download their favourite content in super quick time.

Manchester Airport has become the UK’s first 5G connected airport through the collaboration.

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The trial will see holidaymakers and business travellers at Terminal One invited to participate in a test and download content.

A lack of 5G-enabled handsets meant Vodafone had to carry out the trial using its ‘Gigacube’ device, a 5G enabled portable router.

Users connected to 5G through the Gigacube and used their Now TV Entertainment Pass to download and stream content.

“We are proud to be the first provider to bring 5G to an airport and will be adding more major travel hotspots to our 5G network throughout the year.”

Vodafone claims that the time taken to download an entire box set is four times faster than 4G.

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5G will allow travellers to load a web page or a video instantly and they can seamlessly stream a movie over 5G without buffering or lag.

Vodafone UK CEO Nick Jeffery said: “5G, with its fast speeds and quick response times, will make that quick and easy, even in busy locations. We are proud to be the first provider to bring 5G to an airport and will be adding more major travel hotspots to our 5G network throughout the year.”

Manchester Airport chief operating officer Brad Miller said: “As a business with a strong presence in our surrounding community, Vodafone was a natural partner for a trial project like this and we look forward to collaborating with them again in the future.”

The latest 5G trial comes after Vodafone’s successful test of 5G spectrum across a live network in April 2018 and the UK’s first 5G holographic call in September last year.

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