Freshwave has launched 5G on its Omni Network.
The new capability delivers 4G/5G connectivity indoors from all the MNOs (EE, O2, and VodafoneThree) through Ericsson’s Radio Dot System.
Omni Network is a 4G indoor small cell solution with more than six million square feet of real estate live or in-build since it launched in June 2024.
5G on Omni is built on the Ericsson Radio Dot System and extends 5G carrier-grade mobile coverage to more spaces than ever before. As building materials can block mobile signal from reaching indoors, a dedicated multi-operator in-building mobile system ensures indoor mobile connectivity, no matter which network they’re on. According to Freshwave, 5G on Omni uses up to 50 per cent less energy than a distributed antenna system.
Connecting securely to the MNOs’ networks, 5G on Omni is configured and controlled by Freshwave’s engineers via the company’s data centre as a fully managed service. 5G on Omni provides a simple software upgrade path to 5G when required.
Simon Frumkin, Freshwave’s CEO, said, “After a world-first with Omni Network, I’m delighted we’re now able to offer our customers another first with 5G on Omni. It’s the next stage of assured indoor mobile connectivity, bringing all the operators indoors on 5G via small cells. Indoor connectivity is an essential productivity driver, as evidenced by our Mobile Connectivity ROI Index which found that the UK could gain £70 billion of added value by eliminating mobile signal not-spots indoors.
“5G on Omni represents an important step forward for indoor connectivity in the UK. We’re grateful to all the UK mobile operators and to our technology partner Ericsson for their collaboration in making this possible.”
Luca Orsini, head of Ericsson North Europe, said, "We're thrilled to have collaborated with neutral host provider Freshwave to deliver 5G from all UK mobile operators on the Ericsson Radio Dot for the very first time. It highlights how shared indoor infrastructure can accelerate high-quality 5G coverage and capacity at a lower total cost of ownership than legacy solutions, ensuring organisations and users benefit from seamless connectivity regardless of their mobile provider."
5G on Omni is already live at flexible office provider Workspace’s Record Hall site in central London, bringing 4G/5G mobile signal from all the MNOs to the offices and workshops there.
Chris Boultwood, head of technology at Workspace, said, “Good connectivity should be something our SME customers don’t have to think about. With 5G on Omni from Freshwave now live at Record Hall, our customers can rely on seamless mobile coverage throughout the building, whichever network they use.”
James Hope, director of mobile radio access networks at EE, said, “As the UK’s best and most reliable network, it’s important to us that EE delivers for customers whenever and wherever they need us – including in the indoor places people rely on every day, from offices and shopping centres to transport hubs, hospitality and entertainment venues. Working with Freshwave helps extend the performance of our 4G and 5G network indoors, bringing more consistent, high quality mobile experiences to the spaces where people live, work and spend time.”
Professor Robert Joyce, director of mobile access engineering at O2, said, “As part of our £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan, we are focused on delivering reliable coverage wherever our customers need it and that includes when they are indoors. Partnering with Freshwave on their new solution will bring 5G inside more buildings, delivering strong, reliable connectivity where it matters most.”
Iain Milligan, network development and infrastructure director at VodafoneThree, said: “We’re on a mission to build the UK’s best network and are continuously looking at innovative ways to deliver the very best connectivity to our customers. We look forward to seeing the results that 5G on Omni can deliver indoors for those working at the Record Hall.”
5G on Omni is already seeing strong demand, with Freshwave in the process of deploying it at several other customer sites this year across sectors including financial services, luxury goods brands and a global consumer goods company. It’s also available via Freshwave’s innovative pay-as-you-occupy model, which allows landlords to pay to cover shared areas in a building, while giving tenants the ability to contract directly with Freshwave to join the in-building system as and when they move in. It can be deployed in environments ranging from single floors to multi-million-square-foot sites.
Source: https://www.commsbusiness.co.uk/content/news/freshwave-launches-5g-on-its-omni-network
