Freshwave
Project Overview
Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) routinely assess their network performance to identify any areas for enhancement. It’s essential for MNOs to monitor their network performance continuously. By doing so, they can address any issues promptly and ensure a seamless experience for users.
Recently, through continuous analysis of its network, Virgin Media O2 identified a need to improve the customer experience in Oxford, which was achieved with the support of the council and Freshwave. Ensuring sufficient capacity in densely populated areas such as Oxford poses a significant challenge. However, outdoor small cells offer a solution by providing additional network capacity while maintaining a compact footprint.
Moreover, it’s easy to have several small cells in one area. Small cells typically cover a range of approximately 150 to 200 meters, whereas macro networks extend their coverage over a much larger area—in most cases around 2 to 5 kilometres. Deploying multiple small cells in a concentrated area allows for efficient capacity provision. This strategic approach is precisely why the operator was keen on the city centre locations and initiated the deployment.
In winter 2021, Oxfordshire County Council signed an Open Access Agreement with Freshwave, a connectivity infrastructure-as-a-service provider that works with the MNOs to deploy small cells on their behalf. Freshwave worked with VMO2 to set up small cells on 16 council lighting columns, which included 14 in Oxford City Centre and two on the outskirts.
The Digital Infrastructure Programme team, the council’s planning team and partners, Freshwave and VMO2, carefully selected 16 strategic locations for deploying 4G small cells. Our primary objective was to leverage existing lighting columns, minimising street clutter and avoiding the need for new installations.
By mostly utilising the existing power supply and infrastructure, we could seamlessly integrate these small cells into the urban landscape. Preserving the visual heritage of Oxford is paramount, which is why minimising any adverse effects on the aesthetics is crucial.
Oxford’s history and architectural beauty make it a unique and cherished location. By carefully considering the visual impact of infrastructure, such as small cell deployments, we can maintain the city’s charm while ensuring seamless connectivity for its residents and visitors.
The operator’s current focus is on expanding the 4G network, with a future shift toward 5G in the coming years. Notably, most of these small cell sites are already 5G-ready from a mobile perspective.
Objectives
The main objective, aside from deploying a solution appropriate for the environment, is to improve the network coverage.
Challenges
Heritage Considerations: Preserving the historical and architectural heritage of the area posed a minor challenge. Balancing the need for modern infrastructure with the visual aesthetics of the surroundings required careful planning and collaboration with heritage experts.
Local Contractors: Collaborating with local contractors was a crucial aspect of the project. Local contractors brought valuable insights and knowledge about the area, contributing to the project’s success.
Supply Shortages and Global Supply Chain Issues: The year 2022 witnessed supply shortages and disruptions in the global supply chain due to various factors. Despite these challenges, the project team adapted by working with longer lead times than usual, ensuring that critical components were available when needed.
Achievements
The project proceeded according to the planned schedule, with no significant delays. The process began by establishing agreements during the summer of 2021. Actual work commenced 9 months later, initially focusing on a small batch of sites. At first, the goal was to install 5 small cells, but this number gradually increased. Operators often start with a limited deployment to establish relationships and gain experience in the local area. In the subsequent year, the project expanded further, resulting in the installation of these 16 small cells by 2022/2023. Additionally, there remains untapped potential for other operators to invest in small cell technology across Oxfordshire.
This project was so successful as a result of Oxfordshire County Council acting as a willing landlord and being supportive and forward thinking about the potential of digital connectivity.
Success Metrics
Since deploying the small cells in Oxford the number of VMO2 users experiencing connectivity rated as excellent has more than doubled. This data was generated using crowdsourced data from mobile phones to track network performance via apps and the data is then processed and displayed on a map, showing the coverage quality.
