Virgin Media O2 and its technology partner Ontix have installed small cell cells on lampotsts across Bristol’s Clifton area to boost coverage and capacity in high-traffic locations.
The rollout targets busy spots including the University of Bristol’s main buildings, the Clifton Suspension Bridge visitor centre, and popular retail and dining districts, serving residents, students, tourists, and local businesses.
The deployment forms part of O2 and Ontix’s broader UK strategy to install small cells in urban centres such as London, Birmingham, Reading, Cambridge, Plymouth, and Chester. Small cells are recognised as a cost-effective solution for improving network performance in dense environments where traditional macro sites face capacity constraints.
Virgin Media O2’s Director of Mobile Access Engineering, Dr Rob Joyce, said the small cell rollout in Clifton is part of O2’s £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan for 2025. The plan focuses on expanding 4G and 5G coverage, targeted capacity upgrades in urban hotspots, and solutions to improve connectivity in challenging locations such as transport corridors and event venues.
Separately, O2 has strengthened its spectrum portfolio through a recent acquisition of 78.8 MHz of spectrum from Vodafone UK. This deal increases O2’s total spectrum holding to approximately 30 per cent of the UK mobile spectrum, further supporting network expansion and service quality improvements.
