EE has taken a proactive approach to enhance mobile coverage in the bustling Scottish capital in preparation for the anticipated surge of tourists during the renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The British mobile operator has installed mobile 'mini-masts,' also known as small cells, on street furniture like lamp-posts and phone boxes strategically positioned in the city's busiest areas, according to the telco.
Also Read: EE Deploys Over 600 Small Cells to Enhance Mobile Coverage Across the UK
Enhanced Mobile Coverage for Edinburgh Festival Fringe
As the second most popular tourist destination in the UK after London, Edinburgh sees its population nearly double during August, attracting over half a million visitors to the celebrated festivals, the telco said.
EE has collaborated with Edinburgh Council and Nokia to deploy small cells in high-demand locations such as the Royal Mile, the University of Edinburgh, Princes Street, Chambers Street, the National Museum, and the West End to accommodate the substantial influx of people and ensure seamless mobile connectivity.
Enhancing Consumer Experience
EE stated that the significance of mobile technology during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe cannot be understated, as visitors increasingly rely on smartphones for electronic ticketing, program listings, ticket booking on the go, and navigation to various venues. Moreover, the desire to share experiences with friends and family on social media platforms throughout the festival further emphasizes the importance of reliable mobile networks.
Also Read: EE to Expand 5G to Rural Areas and Tourist Destinations
Small cells
Small cells offer a unique advantage by utilizing existing street assets, such as the iconic red telephone boxes and lamp-posts, to deliver enhanced 4G capacity where building larger masts may not be feasible, particularly in city centres and transport hubs, said the teleco in its release.
In addition to the phone boxes and lamp-posts, EE has identified BT's innovative new digital Street Hubs as potential sites for small cell installations, as reported by TelecomTalk. By working closely with the council, the company hopes to expand the network's coverage further following the successful deployment of similar Street Hubs in cities like Glasgow and Birmingham.
Also Read: EE Expands 4G Coverage to 1,500 Remote UK Communities
Presently, 14 mini masts are already operational in Edinburgh, and EE plans to activate four more sites by the end of July. EE said its expansion plans extend beyond Edinburgh, with over 600 small cell installations nationwide, collectively carrying 20TB of data traffic every day, equivalent to streaming 8,000 hours of HD video or 280,000 hours of music.
As the Edinburgh Festival Fringe approaches, EE's investment in mobile infrastructure is poised to create a more seamless and connected experience for both locals and visitors.
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EE Celebrates Tenth Consecutive Year as UK's Best Mobile Network
In another development, EE has been named the UK's best mobile network for the tenth consecutive year, according to independent testing by RootMetrics. The company received awards for its reliability, accessibility, speed, data, calls, and texts. EE's median download speed was nearly twice as fast as other operators, and its 5G network delivered top speeds in multiple cities.
