Arqiva secures rights to deploy small cell telecoms infrastructure across the London Borough of Waltham Forest 

UK, London, 14 November 2017: Arqiva, the leading UK communications infrastructure company, has today announced it has secured the exclusive access rights to street furniture across the London Borough of Waltham Forest for the future deployment of telecommunications infrastructure. 

The up to 10 year contract grants Arqiva access to around 16,000 lampposts across the borough. 

Says Nicolas Ott, Managing Director of Telecoms & M2M at Arqiva says:

We can see the arrival of 5G connectivity on the horizon and density of infrastructure is crucial to its delivery. This is particularly true for the future delivery of 5G Fixed Wireless Access broadband to homes.

Local authorities are recognising how important connectivity is for their residents and business and we are excited to be working with Waltham Forest as our 14th London Borough partner.”

Lamppost and other street furniture will become part of the UK's next-generation 5G networks, hosting small cell telecommunications infrastructure to enable better, faster coverage by mobile network operators.

Cllr Liaquat Ali MBE, Cabinet Member for Transformation and Commercial Services at Waltham Forest Council, said:

Installing cell units into street furniture is an innovative and forward-thinking idea that shows we in Waltham Forest are committed to improving our digital offer for all to enjoy. 

The deal represents Arqiva’s 14^th concession of this kind in London, following similar contract wins in Barnet, Brent, Camden,  Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Hounslow, Islington, Kingston-Upon-Thames, Lambeth, Merton, Richmond upon Thames and Wandsworth. Arqiva also has similar deals in Manchester, Southampton, Colchester, Eastbourne and Medway.

As the project commences, Arqiva will also deploy Wifi access points – mounted on lampposts – in town centres across the borough to provide free public access to Wi-Fi services.

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