Virgin Media O2 has expanded its small cells rollout in the UK to Tonbridge, Kent.

The latest rollout has been carried out with infrastructure-as-a-service provider Freshwave, which also helped out the telco deploy small cells in Canterbury, Kent, earlier this month.

In total, five small cells have been switched on in Tonbridge to provide additional 4G and 5G capacity in some of Tonbridge's busiest 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 lamp posts, and are seen as a simpler alternative to bulkier telecom infrastructure, which might look out of place or draw criticism from residents. These small cells are designed to blend in with the existing infrastructure discreetly.

Virgin Media O2's deployment of small cells is part of an effort by O2, Freshwave, Kent County Council and local MP Tom Tugendhat to bolster mobile infrastructure in the town.

Tom Tugendhat MP, member of Parliament for Tonbridge, Edenbridge, and North Downs Villages, said: “We are all too familiar with how frustrating not being able to access phone signal and internet can be, and the impact an inefficient and unreliable signal has in Tonbridge town center. People expect their mobile connection to work wherever they are.

“I’m delighted this is changing, starting with the new small cells now live in Tonbridge. This investment will help improve connectivity across our town center and demonstrates what can be achieved when local partners work together to deliver the infrastructure communities need."

"These new small cells will provide additional capacity in some of Tonbridge's busiest locations, helping residents, businesses and visitors stay connected. We are grateful for the support of Tom Tugendhat MP and our local partners in helping make this deployment possible," added Professor Rob Joyce, director of mobile access engineering, O2.

In total, Freshwave has signed more than 40 open access agreements with local authorities across the UK and has deployed more than 800 small cells on behalf of the MNOs.

The company has partnered with Virgin Media O2 on several occasions, supporting small cell deployments for the telco in Guildford, Cornwall, and in Manchester.