Press Release | 29 Jun 2023

Frankie goes to volley-wood: Connected car ferries young fan to All-England Lawn Tennis Club

To show the power of connectivity, Vodafone gave a young tennis player, Frankie, a VIP trip to Wimbledon in the All-Electric Jaguar I-PACE.

Vodafone, Wimbledon’s Official Connectivity Partner  and Jaguar, the Official Car of The Championships, are using Vodafone Smart Hubs in the event’s vehicle fleet to provide a superior in-car connectivity experience.

The fleet, which includes the All-Electric Jaguar I-PACE, is used for transporting dignitaries and players around Wimbledon and will be connected to WiFi via a Smart Hub powered by Vodafone’s reliable award-winning network*. This will give VIPs fast, reliable enterprise-grade WiFi connectivity on the move regardless of what network they are with.  

180 Vodafone Smart Hubs have been installed in the Official Cars of The Championships, so tennis pros will be able to make the most of staying connected . 

To show the power of connectivity, Vodafone gave a young tennis player, Frankie, a VIP trip to Wimbledon in the All-Electric Jaguar I-PACE. During the car journey, the young tennis player received a surprise video call from Tim Henman, Vodafone’s Wimbledon Ambassador, using the Smart Hub technology. Frankie then arrived at the All England Club and was given a VIP tour around Wimbledon by Tim Henman in person.   

Tim Henman standing next to Jaguar's from Wimbledon's fleet.

Credits: Vodafone

The Vodafone Smart Hub turns a vehicle into a WiFi hotspot, powered from the ignition or optional battery unit, and a roof-mounted antenna boosts the WiFi signal up to a 100-metre radius.

Customers can gain real-time GPS location and analytics, while passengers can send, receive, and access critical information on the go with data allowances of up to 1 terabyte – enough to browse the web for more than 20,000 hours or watch 300 hours of high-definition video.

Smart Hubs are typically used in construction, maintenance and utilities where employees are often in remote locations where they need to stream or download large files. 

Vodafone's new Wimbledon campaign showcases the power of connection

Vodafone, Wimbledon’s Official Connectivity Partner, has today launched its new multi-channel #FeelTheConnection summer campaign. The campaign features all its ambassadors – Alfie Hewett, Gordon Reid, Emma Raducanu, Jack Draper and Jodie Burrage – and focuses on how connection can fuel sporting champions.  The two 30” TV ads, created by Vodafone, tell the story of two … Continued

Nick Gliddon, Business Director, Vodafone UK, said: “We’re using our Smart Hub technology to help showcase the power of connection at this year’s Wimbledon.

“Working with Jaguar, we are able to provide fast, reliable enterprise-grade WiFi connectivity on the move that will make a real difference to the tennis pros and VIPs that use their fleet.” 

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Notes to Editors

Vodafone is the Official Connectivity Partner of The Championships, Wimbledon.  

*Reliable, award-winning network. The UK relies on Vodafone as a network provider as it: 1) powers critical national infrastructure and 77% of emergency services; 2) has coverage in 99% of UK homes; 3) covers 96% of the UK; 4) has won numerous awards. 

See full details and awards on our Network page. 

About Vodafone UK

Vodafone UK is a technology communications company that connects people, businesses and devices to help our customers benefit from digital innovation. Our services span mobile, fixed-line connections, home and office broadband, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

We have a strong track record as a tech pioneer, making the UK’s first mobile phone call, sending the first text message, and making the UK’s first live holographic call using 5G in 2018. We were the first to start carrying live 5G traffic from a site in Salford, Greater Manchester and now have 5G in locations across Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain as well as the UK. Meanwhile, our 4G network coverage currently reaches over 99% of the UK population.

Today, Vodafone serves more than 18 million mobile and fixed-line customers in the UK. Vodafone is the largest provider of full fibre in the UK – our superfast broadband services are now available to nearly 12 million homes across the UK.

Sustainability is also at the heart of what we do: as of 1 July 2021, 100% of the grid electricity we use in the UK is certified to be from renewable sources.

For more information about Vodafone UK, please visit: www.vodafone.co.uk.

Vodafone UK Media Relations

Telephone: +44 (0) 1635 693 693

Email: ukmediarelations@vodafone.com

Twitter: @VodafoneUKNews

Website: https://vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/

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