EE UK Boost 5G Mobile Broadband in Central London with 80 Small Cells
Mobile network operator EE (BT) has today announced that they’ve “significantly” boosted the coverage and network capacity (mobile broadband performance) of their 5G network across Westminster (Central London), which has been achieved through the deployment of 80 new small cells via Ontix.
Small cells are akin to mini shoebox sized mobile (radio) base stations, which have been 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 – it’s not uncommon to find these sitting on top of lampposts, 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).
In this case, the latest deployment across Westminster – supported by the city council – appears to be utilising local lampposts. The small cell equipment has also been painted to blend with the local street furniture, thus “minimising visual impact while maximising functionality“.
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James Hope, Director of Mobile Radio Access Networks at EE, said:
“This innovative small cell deployment with Ontix enhances 4G and 5G mobile connectivity for EE customers across the City of Westminster, one of London’s busiest areas serving not only as the centre of UK government but also a focal point for tourism and business. This project is the latest milestone in our network densification efforts as we continue to boost mobile capacity where it’s needed most across the UK.”
Similar small cells are also widely used by some of the network operator’s rivals, such as O2 (they also work with Ontix), for the same purpose. EE has recently been deploying several hundred new small cells each year, so the Westminster roll-out makes for a significant chunk of that.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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Mark Ontix are not an equipment vendor, they are an MSP like Cellnex.
These small cells are Ericsson
True, corrected the language.
I’ve seen these identical ones also in other areas of London on lampposts, like at Lewisham Market, the pole in front of the betting shop, near the bus stops. And I am pretty sure I saw one around Streatham as well but I was driving.
How does it work in practice? Ontix owns the small cells or they just deployed them for EE? Can other networks also use them?
Hoping the London Bridge area gets a similar boost soon