O2 and Wireless Infrastructure Group (WIG) have announced a “multi-million-pound” network collaboration.
They aim to enhance mobile connectivity in public places such as stadiums, shopping centres, hotels and conference centres.
New mobile infrastructure operated by WIG has already been installed at sports venues such as Liverpool’s 54,000-capacity Anfield Stadium (pictured0 and Lord’s cricket ground to improve coverage and capacity for customers.
New or upgraded infrastructure has also been deployed at several UK shopping centres, hotels and conference centres, such as the ExCel.
According to 02, analysis of crowd-sourced data three months before and three months after the installation of new mobile infrastructure at Manchester’s Trafford Centre mall in December 2018 has shown a 50% improvement in network performance.
Towards 5G
The new investment with WIG comes as O2 prepares to launch its 5G network later this year.
Brendan O’Reilly, Chief Technology Officer, O2 said, “While we look ahead to 5G we also continue to focus on our existing network capability. We strive to deliver a great network experience to all our customers, including some of the UK’s busiest locations where network demand is at its peak.
“Our multi-million-pound investment with our partners at WIG should provide O2 customers with even better connectivity in the places they love to visit.”
Scott Coates, CEO of Wireless Infrastructure Group, added, “WIG’s neutral-host infrastructure now enables mobile services in offices, shopping malls, hotels, stadiums and other public venues that total over one billion visitors a year.
“Neutral host infrastructure can play a vital role in enabling 5G and WIG looks forward to expanding our successful partnership with O2.”