Matchday ready: O2 boosts mobile connectivity in and around Stamford Bridge

• O2 has upgraded its mobile network in and around Stamford Bridge to deliver enhanced connectivity for fans attending matches and events at the home of Chelsea FC
• The operator has boosted mobile signal at the stadium rooftop mast improving capacity and performance for fans on matchdays
• Beyond the stadium, new and upgraded small cells have been installed to improve mobile coverage in the area, ensuring fans stay connected before kick-off and after the final whistle

O2 has upgraded its mobile network in and around Stamford Bridge, strengthening connectivity for customers attending fixtures and events at one of London’s most historic football venues.

With more than 40,000 fans attending the stadium each weekend during the football season, the capacity boost offers a more reliable experience at peak times. This makes it easier for fans to share matchday moments, stay connected with friends and family and use digital services such as mobile ticketing and contactless payments.

Inside the stadium, O2 has optimised the rooftop site within Stamford Bridge, boosting capacity and improving mobile performance across the stands, concourses and hospitality areas. This ensures customers can continue to stream, share and stay connected, even when the ground is at full capacity.

Beyond the stadium footprint, new and upgraded small cells have been installed to improve coverage and reliability for local residents, businesses and visiting fans, helping to keep people connected as they travel to and from matches.

The upgrades are already delivering positive results on match days, with customers using more than twice as much data and enjoying a fourfold increase in speeds.

Steven Verigotta, Director of Mobile Delivery at Virgin Media O2, said:  “Stamford Bridge is an iconic stadium with extremely high demand on matchdays. By optimising our network inside the ground and in the surrounding areas, we are giving O2 customers a more reliable mobile experience so they can enjoy every moment, from kick-off to the final whistle.”

The upgrades are part of Virgin Media O2’s Mobile Transformation Plan, which is focused on expanding 4G and 5G coverage, a dedicated small cells rollout to boost capacity in dense urban areas, and innovative solutions to address persistent network pain points including along railway lines, at airports, on motorways, and in stadiums and arenas.

Last year, Virgin Media O2 announced that it had agreed a deal with Vodafone UK to acquire 78.8 MHz of spectrum, bringing the operator’s total spectrum holding to approximately 30% of UK mobile spectrum and materially enhancing the company’s network position. The operator is deploying this newly acquired spectrum across the country, which will drive a better network experience for its customers.

O2 was recently recognised as the most improved mobile network across Europe in Umlaut Connect’s Mobile Network Test, an independent and comprehensive benchmarking report.