Birmingham deploys small cells through Open Access Agreement

Birmingham City Council has facilitated new 4G small cell deployments that will boost mobile capacity in the local area and reduce network traffic at busy times.

The initiative, executed in collaboration with Virgin Media O2 and Ontix, has introduced five new small cells to the Soho Road and Handsworth districts. The deployment of small cells is part of ongoing efforts to improve mobile connectivity and support economic activity.

The street-level mini masts, or small cells, take advantage of existing street infrastructure to boost mobile capacity in high-demand areas.

“This deployment represents a significant step toward a more inclusive and connected community, empowering residents to access vital online services, educational resources, and employment opportunities,” said Councillor Samia Suleman, Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet Member for Digital, Culture, Heritage & Tourism.

Enhancing mobile connectivity

The improved coverage in Soho Road and Handsworth is expected to provide benefits for both residents and businesses. The upgrades aim to support local enterprises and ensure more reliable access to online services.

“This deployment will unlock tremendous potential for our local businesses, enabling them to harness the power of the internet to expand their reach and drive economic growth,” commented Rakesh Soni, BID Manager at Soho Road Business Improvement District. “It is a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and innovation.”

Open Access Agreement: streamlining infrastructure deployment

A key factor in the project has been Birmingham’s Open Access Agreement, signed in 2022. The framework allows telecom operators and infrastructure providers to use council-owned assets—such as lamp posts and other street furniture—to deploy mobile connectivity solutions more efficiently. The agreement is intended to simplify infrastructure deployment and reduce costs for network improvements.

By enabling shared access to city assets, the agreement provides a structured approach to expanding mobile networks. Previous small cell deployments in the city centre have benefited from this framework, and its continued use supports further improvements in high-demand areas.

At the time of the signing, Rhys Enfield, Director of Infrastructure Acceleration at WM5G (West Midlands 5G), highlighted its significance.

“If we’re to realise the full benefits of the digital age, small cells – which can be hosted on publicly-owned assets such as street lamps, buildings and street furniture – have a key role to play providing secure, reliable mobile networks,” he said. “The administrative process involved in identifying suitable locations and getting the right legal agreements and contracts in place typically takes more than 12 months to complete. We have been able to work more closely to reduce this timescale to less than two months.”

Birmingham’s approach to digital infrastructure is part of broader efforts to keep pace with growing connectivity needs. With additional projects anticipated under the Open Access Agreement, further enhancements to mobile coverage are expected in the coming years.

Image: Clare Jackson | Dreamstime.com