UK telco O2 has bolstered its mobile network coverage in London's Westminster after deploying 24 small cells.

The small cells have been deployed in some of the most high-demand locations in the borough, providing a boost in capacity in one of London's most congested areas.

Small cells are designed to enhance mobile capacity and reduce network congestion in densely populated areas.

They are typically fixed to existing street furniture, such as lampposts, and seen as a simpler alternative to bulkier telecom infrastructure, which might look out of place or draw criticism from residents.

O2 (officially Virgin Media O2) said it's utilizing existing street furniture in Westminster to deliver the coverage boost.

The company has been active in deploying small cells across the UK in recent years. In total, the operator's small cell network has extended to more than 2,500 sites across Bath, Plymouth, Bristol, Swansea, and Guildford.

The company has worked with a number of companies to build out its small cell coverage, including Freshwave, Mavenir, and Ontix.

"Westminster is one of the busiest places in the country, so it is no surprise that mobile demand is extremely high. These small cells are a simple but effective way to add extra capacity exactly where people need it, helping customers stay connected on some of the capital’s busiest streets," said Professor Robert Joyce, director of mobile access engineering at O2.

The upgrades in Westminster are part of O2's wider £700 million ($954m) network investment announced back in March.