Ontix and Global Reach Technology Deliver Hybrid Cellular and Wi-Fi Service For Exceptional Connectivity Across Popular Tourist Area
London, United Kingdom, January 22nd 2020 – A new public Wi-Fi service is now available in Trafalgar Square, offering consumers enhanced connectivity in one of London’s busiest areas. Delivered by innovative wireless infrastructure provider Ontix, the outdoor Wi-Fi service runs alongside its existing small cell wireless network and is now available to the public, and for all mobile network operators to trial. Following the pilot phase, the Wi-Fi service will be extended to other notspots across the wider Westminster borough.
New public Wi-Fi service is now available in Trafalgar Square
Initially covering lampposts with high-speed backhaul in the bustling tourist area of Trafalgar Square, the outdoor Wi-Fi service will comprise 17 Ruckus Wi-Fi access points. This will be the first central London service to include Passpoint™ Hotspot 2.0 connectivity provided by Global Reach Technology, which has also deployed similar services in New York City, San Francisco, San Jose and elsewhere. The Wi-Fi service is available now to mobile operators looking to increase their coverage estate in central London. It is being trialled now by a major international operator and more global and UK operators are expected to take advantage of the network to provide their mobile subscribers with Wi-Fi roaming and the benefit of free VOIP calls. The Hotspot 2.0 networking standard will allow their overseas subscribers to auto-attach to the Ontix network using the mobile operator’s profile. A Wi-Fi roaming service is also provided by Global Reach to enable international and UK cellular operators to connect to this network.
Commenting on the service launch, Ontix CEO Antony Tomlinson said: “This is the first of a number of exciting projects we are now delivering in central London and beyond, and is a flagship demonstration of the quality and performance of our Metrohaul architecture for both Wi-Fi and small cell backhaul. This architecture and the infrastructure-as-a-service approach that Ontix is innovating in these roll-outs is going to be crucially important for next-generation wireless, and we will be expanding our deployments throughout this year – enabling operators to offer exceptional connectivity and service to mobile users across the UK.”
Chris Bruce, managing director of Global Reach said: “In busy areas like central London, that are popular with tourists, commuters and residents, high quality, secure connectivity is delivered when robust Wi-Fi and cellular mobile networks work together. To satisfy demand from commuters, shoppers and international visitors, hybrid networks like Ontix working with Global Reach deliver the coverage and capacity needed in dense urban areas.”
