Virgin Media O2 has bolstered 4G coverage in Skegness by installing small cells on streetlights, in collaboration with its technology partner Ontix.
Skegness draws approximately two million holiday visitors annually. Virgin Media O2 collaborated with Ontix and Lincolnshire County Council to pilot small cells, aiming for a cost-effective and adaptable approach to enhancing capacity—a tactic commonly employed in densely populated urban areas.
Richard Williams, Director of Acquisition at Ontix, remarked, ‘The trial in Skegness substantiates that small cells effectively facilitate the network densification necessary to propel the next generation of wireless networks.
“We take pride in our close partnership with Virgin Media O2, delivering a comprehensive managed service for this project. The Lincolnshire County Highways team showed tremendous enthusiasm for this initiative, and we’re grateful for their ongoing support.’
Lincolnshire County now assumes a proactive role as a ‘Willing Landlord,’ as outlined by the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology’s Open Access Agreement.
‘Our approach to designing, installing, and connecting small cells utilises both our passive and active infrastructure, offering an end-to-end solution for mobile network operators.'”
