Boosting mobile connectivity in Chester 

Ontix to install network of small cells in historic city centre from early 2025, boosting capacity and coverage 

Cheshire West and Cheshire Council has secured an agreement in principle to improve mobile capacity and coverage in Chester, with work beginning in the new year. Connectivity experts Ontix will install a network of small cells across the city centre. 

Photo by Rachel Hannah Photo

Virgin Media O2 is the first provider to offer increased mobile coverage in Chester using the new network. The council is engaged in ongoing talks with Vodaphone to join the improved coverage. 

The first installations are expected to be complete by March 2025. Small cell networks are less intrusive than larger-scale efforts to expand the communications network; Ontix will fit the small-cell infrastructure to existing lampposts. The plans have already identified locations to provide maximum capacity. The work involves lifting small sections of pavement but plans have been made to minimise disruption. 

The work sits alongside the Smart Chester initiative, part of the wider One City Plan priority. The aim is to use information and communications technology to enhance city functions, promote economic growth, improve seamless mobility and improve quality of life – for residents as well as visitors. The action plan for the new network follows a survey into issues with digital connectivity, carried out by the council in partnership with Farr Point.   

Cllr Nathan Pardoe, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation at Cheshire West and Chester Council, says: ‘Residents, businesses and visitors to Chester have to spend time searching for a signal, reconnecting dropped calls, and waiting for mobile data – it’s clear that all network operators need to improve their network capacity in Chester. This is why Chester’s One City Plan includes actions to improve connectivity. 

‘We all rely on good mobile signal and through the actions of the One City Plan, new infrastructure will be rolled out from early 2025 onwards to connect the City to faster and more reliable services. Thank you to the network operators for investing in Chester, and to the One City Plan Making Groups’ Digital working stream for championing this issue and working closely with the council to make this happen. 

‘Small cell technology is quicker to deploy and unobtrusive compared to alternatives. It is a good fit for cities and can be used in towns and villages too, which is why I hope that the experience gained by network operators through the Chester rollout helps them to tackle mobile connectivity issues across Cheshire West.’ 

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