How are O2 & Ontix boosting 4G & 5G coverage in North Wales?

Mobile connectivity in North Wales is set to improve with the launch of the region’s first O2 4G and 5G small cell sites in Flintshire. 

Delivered by connectivity infrastructure provider Ontix on behalf of O2, the new sites will increase data speeds and enhance coverage for residents, businesses and visitors.

O2 and Ontix's partnership will see deployment of 4G and 5G small cells across Flintshire, including at Deeside Industrial Park, one of the largest industrial clusters in the UK. As a result, the deployment supports local industry and improves business productivity.

Richard Williams, Director of Acquisition at Ontix, says: “Deeside is one of Europe’s largest industrial parks and it is a thriving hub of industry and innovation. 

“By boosting vital network connectivity today, O2 and Ontix are supporting the growth of UK industries tomorrow.”

Steven Verigotta, Director of Mobile Delivery at O2, adds: “Our Mobile Transformation plan is all about ensuring our customers receive a reliable network experience in the moments that matter most. 

“These new small cells will provide extra capacity to the growing Deeside Industrial Park, providing a boost to the businesses based there and to the local economy.”

Small cells expand local coverage

The small cells provide extra network capacity, allowing O2 customers to experience more reliable mobile connectivity for calls and online access. 

Local businesses benefit from steadier connectivity, helping them maintain operations during busy periods.

Small cells are low-powered mobile network base stations that complement existing macro sites. They improve coverage in high-demand areas where congestion can reduce speeds and reliability.

Deployment is supported by Flintshire County Council, which allows Ontix to use street lighting columns to host the equipment, reducing the need for new structures and speeding up rollout.

Councillor Richard Jones, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transformation Growth and Place at Flintshire County Council, says: “The Council welcomes this investment by O2 and Ontix and is pleased to have worked with them and with Ambition North Wales to make public assets available to improve mobile connectivity, a first for North Wales.”

Partnerships drive regional connectivity

The project builds on work led by Ambition North Wales through its 4G+ digital initiative, which encourages councils to introduce ‘Open Access Agreements’. 

These agreements make public infrastructure available to telecoms companies to host equipment.

The upgrades are part of O2’s Mobile Transformation Plan, which focuses on expanding 4G and 5G coverage, deploying small cells to boost capacity and addressing network challenges along railway lines, at airports, on motorways and in stadiums and arenas.

O2 strengthened its network last year after agreeing with Vodafone UK to acquire 78.8MHz of spectrum, increasing its total holding to roughly 30% of UK mobile spectrum. This spectrum is being deployed nationwide to improve network performance.

The operator’s progress has been recognised independently. 

O2 is named the most improved mobile network in Europe in Umlaut Connect’s Mobile Network Test, a benchmarking report assessing coverage, reliability, data speeds and customer experience.

The new small cells in North Wales highlight O2’s focus on improving mobile coverage in urban and industrial areas. 

By working with infrastructure providers and councils, O2 delivers faster, more reliable connections for businesses and communities while supporting the local economy.