Virgin Media O2 and Ontix deploy small cells to bring improved mobile connectivity to Plymouth

• O2 customers in Plymouth are set to benefit from enhanced mobile connectivity as six high-capacity small cells go live across the city
• The mobile small cells, which were deployed in partnership with Ontix, are powered by Virgin Media O2’s existing fibre network
• Small cells play a vital role in improving mobile network capacity in high-demand areas, including in busy city centres

Visitors, residents and businesses throughout Plymouth are now benefitting from an improved mobile experience and faster speeds after Virgin Media O2 has deployed six new small cells across the city.

The innovative technology is already boosting mobile capacity and reducing network traffic in some of the city’s busiest areas.

The small cells have been deployed in areas where customer demand on the network is highest, including at the busy Drake Circus shopping centre, and at the popular Theatre Royal. With over five million tourists visiting Plymouth each year, the small cells will provide a network capacity boost in these high-footfall areas, helping both residents and visitors.

Virgin Media O2 has connected the majority of the newly deployed small cells to its existing fibre network – a move which enabled the operator to get its services live faster than would otherwise be possible.

Small cells continue provide a cost-effective solution to improving network capacity in dense urban environments, commercial centres and visitor hotspots. Virgin Media O2 already boasts the largest deployment of small cells of any operator, with a large number live across the country.

Dr Robert Joyce, Director of Mobile Access Engineering, at O2 said: “At Virgin Media O2, we are investing around £2m per day and constantly innovating to bring reliable mobile coverage to all our customers. These small cells, powered by our existing fibre network, will improve the mobile experience in some of Plymouth’s most popular locations.”

The rollout has been delivered in partnership with small cell provider, Ontix.

Laura Fernandez, Chief Executive Officer, at Ontix said: “This deployment represents a milestone in our partnership with Virgin Media O2. By integrating small cell technology with their established fibre network, we’ve created a blueprint for urban connectivity that can be replicated across other UK cities. We’re focused on creating infrastructure models that deliver immediate connectivity benefits for consumers and long-term flexibility for future emerging technologies.”

These upgrades are part of Virgin Media O2’s Mobile Transformation Plan, which will see the operator invest approximately £700m this year to future-proof its mobile network. The plan 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.