10 February 2026
North Wales has taken a major leap forward in mobile connectivity with the activation of the region’s first O2 4G and 5G small cell sites in Flintshire. 
Delivered by Ontix on behalf of O2, these new small cells are set to significantly enhance mobile coverage and data speeds for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
The deployment, a collaboration between O2 and Ontix, spans key locations across Flintshire, including Deeside Industrial Park—one of the largest industrial hubs in the UK. This initiative underlines a shared commitment to supporting UK industry by providing the infrastructure needed for increased productivity and economic growth. With the additional capacity offered by these small cells, O2 customers will experience more reliable connections for daily calls and internet access, while local businesses can benefit from steadier, more resilient connectivity to better serve their customers and operate smoothly during peak times.
Richard Williams, Director of Acquisition at Ontix, highlighted the importance of the project: “Deeside is one of Europe’s largest industrial parks and 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, emphasized the broader vision: “Our Mobile Transformation plan is focused on delivering a reliable network experience, especially in areas where it matters most. These new small cells will enhance capacity within Deeside Industrial Park, providing a boost to local businesses and the regional economy.”
The deployment was made possible through support from Flintshire County Council, which facilitated access to streetlighting columns for hosting the new equipment. This initiative forms part of a broader regional effort led by Ambition North Wales, which has introduced ‘Open Access Agreements’ to allow telecommunications companies to utilize existing infrastructure across the region, accelerating the rollout of advanced mobile networks.
Councillor Richard Jones, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transformation, Growth and Place at Flintshire County Council, welcomed the development: “The Council is pleased to support this investment by O2 and Ontix, and to have collaborated with them and Ambition North Wales to make public assets available for improving mobile connectivity—an achievement that marks a first for North Wales.”
The rollout of these small cell sites is a key element of O2’s wider Mobile Transformation Plan, which aims to expand 4G and 5G coverage, increase network capacity through targeted small cell deployments, and address persistent connectivity issues along railways, airports, motorways, and major venues.
Last year, O2 announced a strategic move to acquire 78.8 MHz of spectrum from Vodafone UK, increasing its spectrum holdings to approximately 30% of the UK’s mobile spectrum. This significant spectrum boost is being deployed nationwide to enhance network performance and deliver a superior experience for customers.
O2’s efforts have not gone unnoticed; the company was recently recognized as the most improved mobile network across Europe in Umlaut Connect’s independent Mobile Network Test, underscoring its commitment to providing leading-edge connectivity.
