EE has officially activated 25 new small cells in collaboration with Freshwave in the City of London. This initiative enhances the 4G and 5G network experience for users in this prominent financial district.
The first-of-its-kind outdoor small cell project began as a trial but has now expanded due to its success. These new sites, built on Freshwave’s infrastructure, contribute to increased connectivity across EE’s network. The pilot phase revealed substantial data usage, with EE customers downloading up to 7.5TB of data weekly.
Freshwave’s unique solution supports all four major UK network operators on both 4G and 5G networks without requiring any infrastructure adjustments. The system employs specifically designed wideband antennas, cabinets, columns, and extensive dark fibre connections.
As a neutral host, Freshwave facilitates a shareable infrastructure, which reduces equipment redundancy and lowers costs. This also minimizes street clutter and disruptions during installations. Shareable infrastructure mitigates environmental impact, ensuring robust mobile connectivity.
The 25 new sites are strategically placed, covering key landmarks such as St Paul’s Cathedral and the Bank of England. Outdoor small cells, positioned at street level, are ideal for enhancing capacity in areas with high foot traffic. They help manage the load on the macro network, providing a seamless experience for users.
“We believe that multi-operator, shareable digital infrastructure is the future of mobile connectivity,” said Simon Frumkin, Freshwave’s CEO. “Our approach allows operators to enhance their networks with minimal disruption to communities.”
James Hope, EE’s Director of Mobile Radio Access Networks, emphasized the increasing data consumption by customers. “With our customers using more data than ever, we’re committed to ensuring they enjoy the same great experience with EE in more places. Outdoor small cells are an important part of our mobile network, and we’re happy to be extending our work with Freshwave.”
Shravan Joshi, Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee at the City of London Corporation, appreciated the effort. “The Square Mile is a world-leading business and leisure location. People expect to have world-class connectivity. We’re thrilled to see the network being extended in this way.”
