Council partners with Ontix to install small cell infrastructure on existing city lampposts, improving coverage with minimal disturbance.
It’s now much easier to get a good mobile signal and broadband connection in Chester city centre, thanks to an intervention by Cheshire West and Chester Council.
Photo by Rachel Hannah / Unsplash
Through an open access agreement with leading neutral host operator Ontix, a network of small cells has been installed on lampposts across the city, with locations chosen to provide maximum capacity while respecting the city’s rich architectural heritage and minimising disruption.
The first phase has covered the city centre, with additional phased coverage planned later this year.
The council previously undertook a survey on issues with digital connectivity in Chester, conducted in partnership with FarrPoint. The results helped in developing an action plan.
Small cell technology was chosen as the best option as it is quicker to deploy and less obtrusive than alternatives.
The project has been supported by the One City Plan Making and Experiencing working groups as part of a wider ‘Smart Chester’ initiative.
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 previously spent time searching for a signal, reconnecting dropped calls, and waiting for mobile data. Chester’s One City Plan Experiencing Group has championed the need for change, and we have worked with Ontix to deliver the new infrastructure and enable better mobile connectivity.
‘The first provider offering increased 4G and 5G mobile coverage in the city centre is Virgin Media O2. I am grateful to them for investing heavily to bring the small cell technology into the city centre, and hope that other network operators will follow their lead in the very near future.’
Bense Burnett, Chair of the Chester One City Plan Experience Group, adds: ‘This initiative marks a significant step towards becoming a smart, digitally connected city and serves as the foundation for future digital advancements. By improving connectivity, we aim to enhance the experience of living, working, learning, and playing in Chester. This vision has been realised through collaboration with the private sector, Chester BID, and the council. Together, we are committed to creating a more digitally connected Chester.’
Richard Williams, Director of Acquisition at Ontix, says: ‘The proactive approach that Cheshire West and Chester Council has taken to address mobile connectivity challenges is incredibly refreshing. Chester presents a unique environment where technological innovation must seamlessly integrate with the world-famous heritage of the city. This small cell technology allows us to lay the foundation for future mobile networks while maintaining the city’s architectural integrity.’
Dr Rob Joyce, Director of Mobile Access Engineering at Virgin Media O2, adds: ‘Our mobile transformation plan will see us invest £700m into our mobile network this year to ensure our customers consistently receive an exceptional network experience wherever they are and even at the busiest times. Small cells are an important part of this investment, as they are an effective way of increasing local network bandwidth and play an important role in allowing us to keep up with rising customer demand. These new sites in Chester will improve the reliability of our network in the area and provide a better experience for customers.’
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