Infrastructure as a service provider Freshwave has deployed a 4G distributed antenna system (DAS) at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, UK.

The DAS will enable connectivity to each of the country's three major mobile carriers; EE, Virgin Media O2, and VodafoneThree.

Freshwave's deployment is supporting the government's 10 Year Health Plan to support the National Health Service's (NHS) shift from analog services to digital.

Mobile connectivity in hospitals is often poor due to thick walls and complex layouts that block mobile signals, notes Freshwave, while other technologies such as WiFi are often overburdened.

Freshwave states that a DAS is able to provide dedicated indoor multi-operator mobile connectivity, allowing for teams to communicate within the hospital.

A DAS is a network of spatially separated antennas that are connected to a common signal source.

The system is able to distribute wireless and cellular coverage evenly throughout large structures or areas, such as hospitals, instead of relying on a single rooftop antenna or cell tower.

"By bringing mobile coverage indoors, we’re ensuring that staff can access critical digital tools without interruption, patients can stay connected with their families, and hospital operations run more smoothly. Projects like this demonstrate how tailored connectivity solutions can make a real difference in healthcare, supporting better experiences for everyone on site," said Simon Frumkin, CEO, Freshwave.

Founded in 2018, Freshwave specializes in developing indoor and outdoor connectivity, spanning small cells, DAS, WiFi, plus rooftop site deployments. The company is backed by DigitalBridge.

Freshwave has notably with Virgin Media O2 and EE in the past to support the deployment of small cells.