Four new 4G and 5G small cells have gone live across Canterbury, targeting areas where foot traffic and connectivity demand peak. Freshwave, a connectivity infrastructure provider, executed the rollout in coordination with Kent County Council (KCC).

Installation sites span Clocktower Square and the Whitefriars retail quarter, both recognised as high-demand zones for mobile services. The deployment operates under an open access framework negotiated between Freshwave and KCC, enabling local authorities to partner with multiple network operators through access to council-owned street infrastructure.

David Wimble, KCC's Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Special Projects, stated: "Reliable mobile connectivity is an essential part of modern life, and we welcome the investment from O2 and collaboration with Freshwave. Improving this vital infrastructure in Canterbury will help residents, businesses and visitors stay connected. By working with our partners to make suitable council assets available, we're helping to bring better mobile coverage and faster, more reliable connections to the places where people need them most."

Neil Barnes, Mobile Network Operator Account Director at Freshwave, emphasised the collaborative approach: "We're pleased to have collaborated with Kent County Council and O2 to enhance connectivity for O2 customers in some of Canterbury's busiest destinations. Working in partnership is key to delivering mobile connectivity, and these new small cells demonstrate how local authorities and industry can work together to improve coverage where people need it most."

Professor Rob Joyce, O2's Director of Mobile Access Engineering, added: "Kent is home to some of the UK's most historic and popular destinations, with Canterbury welcoming visitors throughout the year. These new small cells will help support residents, businesses and visitors in some of the busiest areas, providing O2 customers with a reliable mobile experience whether they're exploring landmarks, enjoying local attractions, or staying connected on the go."

The Canterbury deployment reflects O2's broader infrastructure strategy. The operator has now signed more than 40 open access agreements with local authorities and deployed more than 800 small cells on behalf of mobile network operators.

Source: Mobile Europe