O2 UK Boost Mobile Speed and Cover in Westminster via 24 New Small Cells

Mobile operator O2 (Virgin Media) have this morning reported that they’ve successfully deployed a total of 24 new 4G and 5G capable Small Cells across the Westminster area (borough) of London, which will boost local data capacity (mobile broadband) and customer experience of their network.

Small cells are mini shoebox sized mobile (radio) base stations, which are designed to deliver limited coverage (usually up to around 100 metres) and thus tend to be more focused on busy urban areas and specific sites or events – it’s not uncommon to find these sitting on top of lamp posts, CCTV poles or old payphone cubicles (i.e. they can be more cost-effective than building new street assets or trying to secure wayleaves on buildings etc.).

The Westminster deployment reflects the ongoing expansion of O2’s wider small cells programme, with the operator now claiming to have the “largest number of small cells of any UK mobile network operator“, with more than 2,500 sites live nationwide, including in Bath, Plymouth, Bristol, Swansea and Guildford.

Professor Robert Joyce, Director of Mobile Access Engineering at O2, said:

“Westminster is one of the busiest places in the country, so it is no surprise that mobile demand is extremely high. These small cells are a simple but effective way to add extra capacity exactly where people need it, helping customers stay connected on some of the capital’s busiest streets.

This is about making sure the network keeps pace with how people use their phones every day and is exactly the kind of targeted upgrade our £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan is designed to deliver.”

Unusually O2’s announcement doesn’t mention who makes the Small Cells they’re using for this deployment, which makes it difficult for us to assess their capabilities. But in the past, they’ve deployed similar kit from Freshwave, Ontix, IONX Networks, Cellnex UK and others. The operator also didn’t provide a picture of their deployment, so we’ve used one from Cellnex UK’s deployment with O2 in Bristol.