Boldyn Networks announced a major milestone, having deployed over 200 small cells across various locations in London, with the number continuing to grow.
This achievement marks a significant step forward in the city’s strategy to densify its 5G network, supporting London’s broader ambitions for a smarter, more connected urban environment. The deployments are part of an extensive initiative to enhance mobile connectivity in high-footfall areas by leveraging scalable, shared infrastructure, aligning with the Mayor’s manifesto to boost digital connectivity and promote innovation, productivity, and economic growth.
The company’s small cell installations in key locations such as King’s Cross, Waterloo, London Bridge, Old Street, The Shard, and Hyde Park Corner are delivering faster, scalable, and more sustainable connectivity solutions that support the network strategies of mobile operators across the city. Boldyn has set a new standard for urban connectivity by aiming to achieve a rapid three-month timeline from order to activation — significantly faster than traditional small cell deployment processes — demonstrating its commitment to a swift, efficient rollout in one of the world’s most complex urban landscapes.
A core component of Boldyn’s strategy involves reusing Transport for London’s existing infrastructure. The company has built a high-capacity fibre network by repurposing TfL’s ducts and street assets, including lighting columns, underground ducts, and fibre optic cables. Thanks to a 20-year exclusive concession agreement with TfL, Boldyn can access more than 80,000 fibre-connected street assets without the need for new planning permissions, dramatically reducing deployment timelines, costs, and disruptions. This approach not only minimizes environmental impact and preserves the city’s streetscape but also creates a foundation for future smart city applications, such as IoT devices, smart lighting, and environmental monitoring, making London safer, greener, and more digitally integrated.
The deployment also supports social and community benefits by extending gigabit fibre availability to local community centres and borough buildings, enhancing CCTV coverage, and improving access to education, employment, and public services. The initiative, supported by the Greater London Authority, aims to bridge the digital divide and bolster urban safety and connectivity, benefiting residents and emergency services alike.
As the market for small cells continues to grow, neutral host models are increasingly recognized as vital to future infrastructure development. According to the Small Cell Forum’s forecast, deployments managed by neutral hosts are expected to double between 2023 and 2030, representing the fastest growth among business models, and by 2030, they will account for around 30% of new small cell rollouts. This trend underscores the importance of collaboration among operators, technology providers, and urban planners to deliver faster, more cost-effective, and sustainable connectivity solutions.
Brendan O’Reilly, CEO of UK & Ireland at Boldyn Networks, emphasized that overcoming traditional barriers such as planning delays and high costs has enabled a new model of rapid, sustainable urban connectivity. He highlighted that partnerships with TfL allow for high-performance deployment while maintaining the city’s aesthetics and minimizing disruption. Danny Kelly, Boldyn’s Commercial Director, noted that small cells complement macro cells within a network, offering rapid deployment, lower costs, and increased agility — further accelerating London’s 5G rollout and delivering social and economic benefits.
James Hope from EE underscored small cells’ role in enhancing network capacity and performance, particularly in busy locations, while Theo Blackwell, the GLA’s Chief Digital Officer, praised the milestone as a testament to collaborative efforts that improve digital connectivity across London. As the small cell market continues to expand, Boldyn remains at the forefront, demonstrating how infrastructure innovation can drive both commercial success and societal progress.
