Virgin Media 02 has deployed six new small cells across Plymouth to provide an improved mobile experience and fast speeds for visitors, residents and businesses.
The technology is already enhancing mobile capacity and reducing network traffic in some of the city’s busiest areas.
The small cells have been deployed in areas where customer demand on the network is highest, including at Drake Circus shopping centre and the Theatre Royal. With more than five million tourists visiting Plymouth each year, the small cells will provide greater network capacity in these high-footfall areas, helping both residents and visitors.
Virgin Media O2 has connected the majority of the newly deployed small cells to its existing fibre network.
Small cells continue provide a cost-effective solution to improving network capacity in dense urban environments, commercial centres and visitor hotspots. Virgin Media O2 already has a large number live small cells across the country.
Dr Robert Joyce, director of mobile access engineering at O2, said, “At Virgin Media O2, we are investing around £2 million per day and constantly innovating to bring reliable mobile coverage to all our customers. These small cells, powered by our existing fibre network, will improve the mobile experience in some of Plymouth’s most popular locations.”
The rollout has been delivered in partnership with small cell provider, Ontix.
Laura Fernandez, chief executive officer at Ontix, said, “This deployment represents a milestone in our partnership with Virgin Media O2. By integrating small cell technology with their established fibre network, we’ve created a blueprint for urban connectivity that can be replicated across other UK cities. We’re focused on creating infrastructure models that deliver immediate connectivity benefits for consumers and long-term flexibility for future emerging technologies.”
These upgrades are part of Virgin Media O2’s mobile transformation plan, which will result in the operator investing approximately £700 million in its mobile network. The plan is focused on expanding 4G and 5G coverage, a dedicated small cells rollout to boost capacity in dense urban areas, and innovative solutions to address persistent network pain points, including along railway lines, at airports, on motorways, and in stadiums and arenas.