ISP BT Launch Next Gen UK WiFi Street Hub Kiosks with 5G Boost

Broadband ISP BT has announced that they’re launching the next generation (v2.0) of their smart Street Hub WiFi kiosks (formerly InLinkUK), which will be installed in various urban areas and can now also be used to boost 4G and 5G mobile signals via the inclusion of small cells. You also get ultrafast WiFi, just as before.

Just to recap. The v1.0 smart kiosks were first launched in summer 2017, partly to help replace some of BT’s old phone booths. Since then, over 400 of them have been rolled out across 23 UK cities. All of those claimed to offer 1Gbps capable public WiFi, as well as USB device charging and a range of other digital services to people in the vicinity. A large HD display on the side was also used to carry advertising, which helped to fund the units.

By comparison, the new Street Hub 2.0 units look similar but will introduce several upgraded features, such as a sustainable design, environmental monitoring for local authorities (e.g. air quality and CO2 sensors) and the ability to boost 4G and 5G mobile coverage using small cells. BT are also using a new hardware supplier for these – Trueform Digital – and will continue to partner with technology and software supplier ADXBA, as well as Global, their advertising partner.

As before, the new Street Hubs will also connect to ultrafast free public Wi-Fi, with an outdoor Wi-Fi access point connected directly to their full fibre broadband network, bringing speeds of “up to” 1Gbps to users within 150 metres of the unit. In reality this is still shared capacity, which when combined with the variable nature of WiFi connectivity means that real-world experiences will be fast or ultrafast, but rarely into gigabit territory.

James Browne, Head of Street at BT, said:

“Street Hubs form part of BT’s plan to transform the UK’s streets with a digital communications service designed for the 21st Century. I’m really excited that we’re now evolving the service even further with a newly designed ‘Street Hub 2.0’ unit which is more sustainable, while delivering free public Wi-fi services and improved 4G/5G mobile coverage to local communities.

The free digital services provided by our Street Hub units can play an important role in helping to revive the UK’s high streets following the pandemic. We are working closely with local councils and communities to introduce the new units to more parts of the country, enhancing the UK’s future digital infrastructure, and bringing benefits to residents, businesses and tourists alike.”

The new kiosks won’t be deployed to replace their existing Street Hubs (unless they break), but will instead find a home in new locations. Subject to local planning processes, BT said their ambition is to roll out more than 200 Street Hub 2.0 units to new sites across the UK over the next year.