Ontix & Virgin Media O2 light up 5G small cells in Bath

Ontix and Virgin Media O2 have switched on 5G small cells in Bath, boosting mobile capacity in the city centre and busy retail areas under a project agreed with Bath & North East Somerset Council.

The sites are now live in parts of the historic centre and shopping districts where demand rises during peak visitor periods. Bath is the UK's 11th most visited destination for inbound visitors, with attractions such as the Roman Baths and the Victoria Art Museum drawing crowds throughout the year.

City Centre Focus

Small cells are compact radio units that add coverage and capacity where networks face high demand. Operators often install them on existing street furniture, such as lamp posts and other roadside assets, reducing the need for new masts in dense urban areas.

In Bath, the rollout targets high-footfall locations where people rely on mobile data for navigation, payments, messaging and streaming. The first installations are already carrying live traffic, with further deployments planned through to early 2026.

The council signed an Open Access Agreement covering the street assets used for the rollout. Open access models can allow infrastructure to host more than one operator over time. Ontix acts as a shared infrastructure provider, installing small cells and licensing access to mobile operators.

Investment Context

The Bath project forms part of Virgin Media O2's wider mobile investment programme. The operator plans to invest approximately GBP £700 million in its mobile network this year as part of its Mobile Transformation Plan.

The plan includes expansion of 4G and 5G coverage and a broader small-cell programme in dense urban locations. It also covers work in areas where users often report poor performance, including along railway lines, at airports, on motorways, and in stadiums and arenas.

Small cells have become a more visible part of operator strategies as data volumes rise and customers expect consistent city-centre performance. The approach also aligns with the shift to higher-frequency 5G spectrum, which can deliver high capacity but typically requires more localised coverage.

Bath presents specific constraints because of its historic environment and the volume of visitors moving through a relatively compact centre. Discreet installations on existing street furniture offer a way to add capacity while limiting changes to the streetscape.

Local Benefits

Bath & North East Somerset Council said improved connectivity matters for residents as well as visitors, and highlighted a skills element tied to the programme.

"Digital connectivity is important for economic growth, innovation and ensuring our residents feel connected, safe and able to access services on a day-to-day basis. Any developments that improve digital connectivity for residents and visitors to the City Centre are to be welcomed and I am pleased to report that this initiative has secured a commitment to digital inclusion through funded apprenticeships," said Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Ontix said it worked with the council's Digital Office and the West of England Combined Authority during delivery, describing the project as part of a wider need for ongoing wireless upgrades in urban areas with seasonal and event-driven demand.

"Having forged strong and collaborative relationships with the Digital Office at Bath & North East Somerset Council and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), we were able to deploy at pace, enabling us to rapidly improve mobile capacity in Bath. The city draws visitors year round from across the country and internationally. By enhancing mobile connectivity in the city's bustling areas, Ontix and O2 are ensuring that residents and visitors alike can stay connected, whilst supporting the city's ongoing wireless infrastructure needs," said Richard Williams, Director of Acquisition, Ontix.

Virgin Media O2 said small cells are central to its strategy for targeted upgrades where traffic is most concentrated, linking the investment to customer experience during busy periods in high-footfall locations.

"We're investing another £700m into our mobile network this year as part of our Mobile Transformation Plan, ensuring our customers receive an exceptional experience wherever they are, even during the busiest periods. Small cells play a vital role in this investment, delivering targeted network improvements where demand is highest. Bath attracts millions of visitors each year, and our customers can now enjoy enhanced connectivity when they're exploring the city's historic sites," said Steven Verigotta.

More small cell sites are scheduled to go live across Bath into early 2026, with additional areas coming online as new street locations are brought into service.