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You can’t be sewerious: Vodafone will use manhole covers to boost 4G, 5G
July 09, 2025
Developing cellular networks is no easy task. Great distances, varying terrain, and numerous obstacles make it a challenging process. The transition to5Gis expected to be even tougher than LTE was, but U.K. carrier Vodafone thinks it has a way to help it go more smoothly (h/t:Ubergizmo).
The cellular network is placing mobile antennae and equipment in manhole covers, enabling expanded coverage in the process. According to aVodafone press release, the equipment can be integrated into the manhole cover without street works or construction. This results in a smaller footprint than a traditional cellular tower, along with a 200m radius for call and data coverage.
“By connecting the manhole covers to this network, we can provide great 4G coverage now, and easily upgrade them to 5G in the future,” the carrier explained.
Vodafone has only installed these covers at its Newbury office and technology center thus far, but said it was looking to roll out 4G-enabled manhole covers across the U.K. These would be available both via its own covers and those of utility providers. A company representative toldAndroid Authoritythat it’s already identified several possible test sites in central London, but it had no launch window to share for them.
Vodafone’s solution could also prove to be a big boost for its 5G ambitions, as it’s tipped to be a more complex endeavor than previous upgrades. More specifically,mmWave 5Gis more prone to disruptions than LTE, necessitating the use of more antennae in future smartphones, as well as beam-forming technology. Meanwhile,sub-6Ghz5G will offer slower speeds but should be more resilient than its mmWave counterpart.
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