Perth takes step forward in digital connectivity with six new outdoor small cells in partnership with O2 and Freshwave
Residents, businesses, and visitors to Perth city centre will benefit from enhanced mobile coverage from O2 with the deployment of six new 4G outdoor small cells.
Small cells are technology about the size of a shoe box and used to enhance mobile phone signal in busy areas. Because of their size, they can be attached to existing infrastructure like lamp posts. They relieve demand on the outdoor network, allowing more people to use their phones to call, text or go online at the same time.
Delivered under an open access agreement between Perth and Kinross Council and connectivity infrastructure-as-a-service provider Freshwave, the small cells will boost outdoor mobile signal for O2’s customers in key public spaces such as outside Perth Railway Station and on the high street.
The new 5G-ready outdoor small cells will contribute to Perth’s drive to ensure it remains a modern, connected city.
From boosting day-to-day mobile coverage to supporting digital services for local businesses and public services, the deployment reflects the city’s long-term ambition to invest in future-ready digital infrastructure.
In busy city centres, the large number of people accessing voice and data services on their mobiles can place high demand on the outdoor network. Outdoor small cells installed at street level process some of this demand themselves, enhancing the customer experience.
Neil Barnes, Mobile Network Operator Account Director at Freshwave, said: “We’re proud to be working with Perth and Kinross Council and O2 to enhance connectivity in the city centre. The open access approach helps bring robust mobile coverage to the public, visitors and local businesses, without unnecessarily increasing street clutter. Strong mobile connectivity underpins everything from local commerce to supporting smart city initiatives, and we’re pleased to play a part in Perth’s journey.”
Councillor Eric Drysdale, Convenor of Perth and Kinross Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said: “We are dedicated to making Perth an exceptional place to live, work, visit, and invest. We value O2’s investment in our community and are excited to partner with Freshwave to deliver enhanced mobile services to the area, all while expertly managing our city’s public spaces.
“This will help deliver enhanced connectivity that will benefit businesses and residents alike, using technology that people will hardly notice is there. We stage a lot of large-scale events in Perth – such as the Christmas lights switch on – and deploying technology like this will make it easier for people to stay connected during busy times.”
Dr Robert Joyce, Director of Mobile Access Engineering at O2, said: “We’re proud to be boosting connectivity in Perth as part of our £700m Mobile Transformation Plan. Customers want fast, reliable coverage wherever they go, and by teaming up with local authorities and partners like Freshwave, we’re making that happen.”
Open access agreements allow local authorities to retain control of their street assets, such as lamp posts, while working with different mobile network operators (MNOs) and neutral hosts such as Freshwave.
Freshwave deploy outdoor small cells on behalf of the MNOs who want to boost community connectivity for their customers. The open access model allows for shared use of street furniture while helping MNOs enhance coverage.
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