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Vodafone uses phone boxes to meliorate 4G coverage

(Image credit: Vodafone)

Vodafone has found a novel method of improving mobile coverage in decorated parts of Brighton – equipping phone boxes with 4G equipment.

The operator has kitted out v phone boxes with compact 4G technology minor enough to fit on superlative of the roof of the phone box and capable of delivering service to a radius of 200 metres.

5 phone boxes have been modified and then far, located in Bartholomew Street, Castle Square, Duke Street, Queens Square and on the seafront by Palace Pier.

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Telephone box small cells

While most elements of mobile networks are powered by macroinfrastructure such equally phone masts or antennas located on top of buildings, microinfrastructure such equally small-scale cells is increasingly valued for its ability to boost coverage in densely populated areas.

Whilst small cells are desirable for 4G, they will be essential to fulfil the speed, capacity, and low-latency promises of 5G when paired with high-chapters spectrum.

Vodafone has previously used manhole covers to enhance its 4G network, while laying a foundation for 5G, and telephone boxes are platonic for the aforementioned purpose cheers to prominent locations, admission to wider phone networks and readily available power supplies.

There are tens of thousands of phone boxes in the U.k. only these have fallen into disuse to the mass adoption of mobile phones. Although BT has replaced some units with modern 'kiosks' that offering Wi-Fi and digital advertising, it has encouraged communities to 'adopt' a phone box for £1. Those that accept taken up the offering have transformed neglected boxes into art galleries, libraries and data centres.

"Our network has never been busier as more people rely on their smartphones and await a fast, reliable connection – for shopping, social media, entertainment, maps, and and then much more," said Scott Petty, Vodafone UK CEO.

"Across the Great britain, we run into former phone boxes being used as libraries, shops and fifty-fifty aquariums. Only with our technology they are returning to their roots, ensuring residents and visitors to the city can stay connected. At Vodafone, nosotros continue to innovate then that our customers can go along connecting."

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Steve McCaskill is TechRadar Pro's resident mobile industry skillful, covering all aspects of the UK and global news, from operators to service providers and everything in between. He is a former editor of Silicon UK and journalist with over a decade's experience in the technology industry, writing near technology, in item, telecoms, mobile and sports tech, sports, video games and media.