O2 UK to Upgrade 4G and 5G Mobile Signals for 22 Haven Holiday Parks
Mobile network operator O2 (Virgin Media) and partner Freshwave have today revealed that they’re in the process of upgrading their 4G and 5G mobile (mobile broadband) network for visitors to 22 Haven holiday parks across the UK “ahead of a summer of staycations“. We’ll overlook that it’s already the latter half of summer and the deployment won’t finish until 2026.
Freshwave typically deploys small cell style solutions, which are akin to small shoebox sized mobile (radio) base stations that are designed to deliver limited coverage (usually up to around 100 metres) and thus tend to be more focused on busy areas and specific sites – it’s not uncommon to find these sitting on top of lampposts, CCTV poles or old payphone cubicles (more cost-effective than building new street assets).
Four sites have already gone live with improved 5G, with more expected to follow this summer and during early 2026. The first upgraded sites include Thornwick Bay Holiday Park in Yorkshire and Skegness Holiday Park in Lincolnshire, but a full list wasn’t available.
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James Bromley, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Haven, said:
“We’re delighted to be working with O2 and Freshwave to bring enhanced mobile connectivity to our parks. Our guests and owners expect to stay connected, whether it’s sharing memories, streaming entertainment, or working remotely. I’m delighted that our investment in our parks has attracted O2 to ensure we’re delivering the best possible experience for families choosing to holiday or own at our parks.”
The upgrades form part of O2’s wider Mobile Transformation Plan, which is investing around £700m this year into their national mobile network – “ensuring it is fit for the future and can keep up with increasing customer demand“. Naturally, we’d hope that EE are also working to deliver strong signals and performance across the same parks, while Vodafone did something similar last year (here).
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.
VF& Freshwave upgraded Haven parks last year
https://www.vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/press-release/haven-vodafone-and-connectivity-partner-freshwave-deal-delivers-enhanced-connectivity-to-holiday-parks-and-coastal-communities/
https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2024/10/vodafone-upgrade-4g-and-5g-mobile-at-uk-holiday-parks-and-nearby-communities.html
Good spot. I’ll update.
Does Haven have paid in-park WiFi? If so, I wonder if they’ll limit the amount of bandwidth available over 4G…
No WiFi free but u get around the swimming pools and pubs
There is owners WiFi across their parks, but obviously that is owners only. Public can only get WiFi in “public” areas as mentioned, like the pubs and pool area.
Their WiFi is abysmal, even when you pay premium. Filey Yorkshire the 4G is there but unusable due to demand, 5G is non-existent. I am guessing they finally noticed it affecting their bottom line and decided to do something. I will never stay in one of their parks again.
Was fine for us in Kent and Essex. Used EE and 3.
It’s dirt cheap to stay there, the wifi was adequate when we used it. I wouldn’t expect more for the pittance we paid to stay there.
100%, at Primrose Valley now and it is non-existent for my brother in law on O2(despite the mast on site currently being shown as O2 and Vodafone) thankfully I am on Mozillion (which is okay but hardly any signal in a caravan) and lebara which is achieving 250-300mbps. Thankfully Voxi offer an eSIM that’s emailed and live within 10 mins which my in-law has promptly signed up to.