Virgin Media O2 mentioned it has already deployed greater than 2,000 small cells throughout the U.Ok. territory
In sum – what to know:
New small cells deployed in Cornwall – O2 and Freshwave have put in new small cells in St Ives and Newquay, aimed toward enhancing protection in high-traffic areas forward of peak vacationer season.
Quick deployment helps native demand – The compact small cells will be put in extra rapidly than conventional towers, enabling sooner upgrades in areas with rising cellular visitors.
A part of O2’s wider £700M plan – The rollout is aligned with O2’s nationwide community funding technique, which incorporates expanded small cell use and spectrum acquisitions to spice up capability.
U.Ok. provider Virgin Media O2, in partnership with infrastructure supplier Freshwave, has deployed new small cell websites within the cities of St Ives and Newquay, in Cornwall, with the principle intention of enhancing cellular connectivity throughout the upcoming summer time season, the previous mentioned in a launch.
O2 mentioned that the initiative features a whole of 13 small cells, with 5 already operational in St Ives and three in Newquay. The remaining 5 are anticipated to go stay shortly. These deployments goal high-traffic areas, together with Porthminster and Porthmeor seashores in St Ives and Tolcarne seashore and the practice station in Newquay, mentioned O2.
Based on the U.Ok. operator, the usage of small cells has helped ship improved protection extra quickly. The provider now has greater than 2,000 small cells deployed throughout the U.Ok.
The telco emphasised that the installations intention to assist each residents and vacationers, notably throughout the peak summer time season when coastal cities expertise elevated demand for cellular knowledge providers.
Rob Joyce, director of cellular entry engineering at O2, mentioned: “These new small cells serve a few of the busiest areas in Cornwall and can be certain that the provider’s clients have a dependable cellular expertise.”
The small cell deployment varieties a part of the telco’s broader £700 million Cell Transformation Plan, which incorporates upgrades to 4G and 5G networks, focused small cell deployments in densely populated areas, and options for identified protection points in transit hubs and public venues.
In November 2024, Virgin Media O2 claimed to be the primary operator within the U.Ok. to change on 5G SA small cells. At launch, these had been put in in central Birmingham, enhancing connectivity in a few of the metropolis’s busiest areas.
Virgin Media O2 formally launched its 5G SA community in 2024, with preliminary protection throughout London, Manchester, Liverpool, Lincoln, Birmingham, Sheffield, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, York, Belfast, Cardiff, Nottingham, and Slough.
In Could, Virgin Media O2 introduced a spectrum switch settlement with rival operator Vodafone UK that may see Virgin Media O2 purchase 78.8 megahertz of spectrum for an funding of £343 million.
The U.Ok. provider mentioned that this new spectrum will materially improve its community place and assist to enhance the connectivity expertise of customers and companies throughout the nation.
Particularly, Virgin Media O2 will purchase 20 megahertz within the 1400 MHz band, 18.8 megahertz within the 2.1 GHz band, 20 megahertz within the 2.6 GHz band, and 20 megahertz within the 3.4 GHz band.
The deal, which follows the completion of the merger between Vodafone UK and Three UK and is topic to the approval of native regulator Ofcom, will convey Virgin Media O2’s whole cellular spectrum share to roughly 30%.
Virgin Media O2 additionally mentioned that the brand new spectrum will profit MVNOs who make use of the telco’s cellular community through wholesale partnerships to ship their very own cellular providers to hundreds of thousands of individuals throughout the nation.
The switch of spectrum reduces the earlier imbalances in spectrum between cellular community operators within the UK, enhancing competitors, the telco mentioned.
