Virgin Media O2 switches on 5G SA small cells, claiming a UK first

Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) has installed 5G standalone (SA) small cells in Birmingham, in what it says is a UK first. The cells were deployed to improve network performance in a busy area around the city's Broad Street and Fleet Street.

Unlike conventional mobile towers, a small cell can be placed on existing street furniture, making it a more compact solution for highly frequented areas. The ones in Birmingham were delivered through VMO2's partnership with Ontix and Alpha Wireless, the operator announced on Wednesday.

Onsite performance data collected shortly after the launch suggested 5G SA is delivering a better user experience and smoother connections, according to the telco.

VMO2 – which is a 50/50 joint venture between Liberty Global and Telefónica – also noted the small cells are part of its efforts to respond to growing demand, adding data consumption increased by 26% last year.

The deployment is part of the operator's plans to invest £2 million (US$2.6 million) a year into its mobile networks under its upgrade strategy. 

While it's claiming a UK first with the use of 5G SA, VMO2 isn't alone in leveraging small cells to improve connectivity in busy areas. Three – UK's smallest operator – unveiled in February a plan to improve 5G coverage in Glasgow through small cells placed on street furniture leased from Boldyn Networks.

Meanwhile, EE, which is part of the incumbent BT Group, started trialing 5G small cells in the London borough of Croydon in August. 

A growing crowd of 5G standalone

5G SA is the term applied to a network where 5G RAN connects to a 5G core, rather than a 4G one, which unlocks new capabilities such as advanced network slicing.

In a prepared quote, VMO2 CTO Jeanie York said that the network now extends to 300 towns and cities. 

Last year – even before it announced the 5G SA deployments – VMO2 Business launched a portable 5G SA private network for businesses. The operator then kicked off its 5G SA rollout in February this year, covering 14 UK cities.

Vodafone was the UK's first operator to launch 5G SA – or 5G Ultra as it calls it – last year. As of August, it had extended the network to 23 cities and more than 300 locations. EE, meanwhile, had activated 5G SA in 31 locations as of last week.