UK telecommunications provider Virgin Media O2 and Ontix have deployed outdoor small cells across the borough of Reading, enhancing 4G mobile connectivity and speeding up service for residents, businesses, students, and visitors in central Reading. Virgin Media O2 and Ontix partnered to introduce these small cells to Reading, increasing mobile capacity and reducing network congestion at major destinations during peak times, Ontix announced on Monday.
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Strategic Locations for Maximum Impact
The small cells have been installed in some of the busiest areas of the town, including Reading Station, Reading College, Reading Museum, the Abbey Ruins, and the Oracle Shopping Centre. This deployment is expected to improve coverage and speeds for both residents and visitors.
With over 20 million people passing through Reading Station and over a million visiting the Oracle Shopping Centre each year, the small cells will help alleviate network congestion and increase capacity.
Ontix said: "We’re proud to be the first Neutral Host company bringing small cells to Reading. Working closely with Virgin Media O2, we ensured that the delivery of this project was speedy, cost-effective, and power-efficient."
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Previous collaborations
According to the official release, Virgin Media O2 and Ontix have previously collaborated to deploy small cells in high-demand areas including London, Birmingham, the South East of England, and most recently, Skegness. Virgin Media O2 is working with Ontix on a nationwide rollout.
By using small cells, which are quicker and easier to deploy, Virgin Media O2 customers are benefiting from improved coverage sooner than would otherwise be possible, Ontix said.
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Virgin Media O2 added: "Small cells are an effective way to increase local network bandwidth in busy areas and play an important role in helping us meet customer demand. With upgrade programs underway across our network, we're working hard to ensure our customers consistently receive an exceptional network experience wherever they are, even during the busiest times."
