Iberia Small Cell Networks – transforming delivery of indoor and outdoor wireless connectivity

Axión and Wireless Infrastructure Group (WIG), two of the largest independent wireless infrastructure operators in Spain and UK respectively, have joined forces to transform the way wireless connectivity is delivered in busy venues and city streets in Spain and Portugal.

With growth in mobile traffic placing unprecedented demand on existing networks and end user expectations on quality of service continuing to increase, there is an acute need to find an efficient and effective way of delivering coverage and capacity to key indoor venues and high footfall outdoor locations.

Iberia Small Cell Networks (ISCN), a joint venture between Axión and WIG, has been created to address this need and will partner with venues and municipalities to deliver high capacity, high speed networks using infrastructure which will be made available to mobile operators on an open and shared basis.

Owners of large venues such as skyscrapers, shopping centres, stadiums and hotels understand the value of providing a superior mobile experience to their customers. While mobile operators have a similar objective for their end users, they need to do so efficiently and cost effectively. The same is true in urban outdoor locations where municipalities and mobile operators are keen to ensure that good service is maintained in high footfall areas.

In partnering with venue owners and municipalities, ISCN will become a neutral host operator working collaboratively with mobile operators to design, install, maintain and fund wireless network infrastructure in key locations across the region. Venues and municipalities will benefit from infrastructure that maximises the choice of mobile networks for end users. The benefit to mobile operators will be in having access to state of the art technology infrastructure at the lowest cost.

Axión’s position as a leading operator of wireless telecommunications infrastructure in Spain coupled with WIG’s extensive experience in deploying Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) for large venues and outdoor small cells provides a solid foundation on which ISCN can build a leadership position in Iberia.

WIG is the market leader for DAS and small cells in the UK having rolled out its fibre-connected networks to some of the UK’s most iconic buildings which include stadiums, offices, shopping centres and hotels. WIG has also launched the UK’s first 5G ready small cell network in the city of Aberdeen and is the main investor in the UK’s largest connected and autonomous vehicle test project.

Jorge Alberto Jiménez, CEO of Axión said:

“We are delighted to be in partnership with WIG with whom we have been working to develop and bring this opportunity to market.  By combining Axion’s strong local presence with WIG’s track record in DAS and small cells delivery, we can provide a transformational approach for the market to improve connectivity both indoors and outdoors.”

Scott Coates, CEO of Wireless Infrastructure Group said:

“We are excited about the opportunity to work with Axion to address mobile connectivity challenges in buildings and busy streets across Spain and Portugal.  Our neutral infrastructure is key to unlocking this problem, but it is our focus on the needs of our venue and municipal partners as well as mobile operators that will make this venture successful.”