The Small Cells World Summit 2025 brought together leaders from across the digital infrastructure landscape to discuss the future of connectivity. Among them was Craig Bower, Digital Infrastructure Programme Director at Oxfordshire County Council, who joined a high-profile panel alongside:
- Moderator: Ian Newbury, Head of Product – Business, Government, Mobile, CityFibre
- Vidhu Mayer, Senior Propositions Manager, Cornerstone
- Anthony Magee, Senior Director, Global Business Development & Mobile Solution Strategy, Adtran
- Paddy Paddison, Chief Executive Officer, INCA (Independent Networks Cooperative Association)
The session, titled ‘Emerging Business Models: Delivering Future Networks’, sparked a dynamic discussion. Our key takeaways were the strategic role of small cells in scaling network capacity, and how collaboration between local authorities and infrastructure providers is essential for delivering the next generation of digital services.
In Oxfordshire, we have worked on several Small Cells projects, and are currently supporting Cornerstone with their technology rollout in the city centre.
Digital Infrastructure Programme team Project Manager, Anna Miles, was also interviewed and featured in the SCWS highlights video:
Meeting connectivity expectations
As smart devices, IoT applications, and data-intense services become increasingly integral to everyday life, urban connectivity needs are rising rapidly. Traditional macro cells alone can’t keep up with this surge in demand—particularly in densely populated areas.
Small cells are emerging as a key solution. They help networks keep pace by:
- Enhancing network capacity and coverage in areas of high demand
- Improving data speeds and reducing latency through traffic offload
- Integrating seamlessly with existing urban infrastructure with minimal disruption
- Supporting smart cities through IoT enablement and real-time data flow
“It’s time to talk seriously about small cells—not just as a bolt-on to existing strategy, but as a foundational layer for capacity, resilience, and reach, especially in dense urban areas where macro coverage alone can’t keep up with demand.”
— Pat Coxen, Chief Executive Officer, Cornerstone
Collaboration is key
Delivering future-ready digital infrastructure isn’t just a technical challenge—it’s a strategic one that depends on strong collaboration. The Oxfordshire Digital Infrastructure Programme has long championed partnership between public and private sectors to unlock faster, fairer, and more coordinated rollouts.
Rather than acting as a blocker, local government can be a vital enabler. In Oxfordshire, our team:
- Identifies suitable street-level assets with the necessary power, structure, and fibre access
- Advises on planning permissions and routes to minimise streetworks and visual clutter
- Brings local knowledge to support smoother deployment across multiple sites
Vidhu Mayer, Senior Propositions Manager at Cornerstone, shared how a mature, proactive engagement model can make a real difference:
“By using digital tools like drone surveys and 3D visualisations, we make community consultation more transparent and efficient helping – address concerns around design, aesthetics, and disruption.”
— Vidhu Mayer, Senior Propositions Manager, Cornerstone
Trusted partnership for better connectivity
By working together as trusted partners, we can simplify deployment and reduce complexity for everyone involved. At Oxfordshire County Council, our Digital Infrastructure Programme is committed to improving connectivity for residents and businesses across the county.
We see digital infrastructure as essential infrastructure—and our role is to make its delivery as smooth and efficient as possible.