Neutral hosts, Freshwave and Cellnex play key role in Europe’s 5G rollout

Neutral host operators, Freshwave and Cellnex, are becoming more integral to telco service rollout plans across Europe. In the UK, for instance, Freshwave is rolling out London's first-ever shared infrastructural 5G small cells. Moreover, multiple 5G deals in Spain and France have been handed to Cellnex along 'cross-border corridors.'
Neutral hosts - Freshwave and Cellnex play key role in Europe 5G rollout - TeckNexus

In the financial metropolis of London, neutral host infrastructure firm Freshwave has installed the first outdoor 5G small cell – a milestone that demonstrates how crucial telco-independent network operators will be for communications service providers as they expand their high-speed mobile data coverage and introduce their 5G densification strategies.


Freshwave is not the only neutral host organization claiming to be 5G-ready in Europe at the end of this year. Cellnex announced that it has received several contracts from France, Spain, and Portugal for cell tower deployment.

Freshwave has recently introduced a custom centralized RAN small cell system to Queen Victoria Street, London. This 1.1km stretch is now equipped with 10 powerful stations that can facilitate mobile service for any UK-licensed mobile network operator.

EE (a subsidiary of BT Group) is part of the pilot, and consumers can now access 4G and 5G services through its small cells. Virgin Media O2 has officially signed on as well, allowing their customers to connect to the infrastructure beginning in early 2023, while Vodafone UK will join during Q1 2023. Unfortunately, no timeline has been provided for ThreeUK’s involvement yet.

By employing the same foundational infrastructure, carriers don’t need to independently deploy their apparatus in hard-to-access places. This both saves money and resources while furnishing a more lasting urban mobile architecture.

Developed in partnership with the four UK mobile network providers, Freshwave boasts specially crafted wideband antennas, cabinets, and columns accompanied by impressive amounts of dark fiber connected to each cabinet.

A concession granted by the Freshwave partner, Cornerstone – a UK mobile network services company enabled Netomnia (an alternative wholesale access network operator) to provide fiber connectivity while also deploying small cell infrastructure.

According to Freshwave’s CEO, Simon Frumkin, shared digital infrastructure is the natural progression for telecoms as cities become more advanced and interconnected. By utilizing a neutral host model, companies like Freshwave can help speed up connectivity while being cost-efficient, eco-friendly, and less disruptive than traditional methods.

Cellnex, a leading European neutral host provider, has been appointed by the European Commission to construct 5G network infrastructure in four key areas across the English channel. This includes connecting Spain with France (Barcelona-Montpellier/Toulouse and Bilbao-Bordeaux), as well as Spain and Portugal (Salamanca to Porto, and Vigo and Mérida to Évora).

The Commission’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF2) Digital program will deploy 5G network technology to ensure the highest quality, uninterrupted connection for road safety services and connectivity services to passengers traveling along specific corridors.

Cellnex is preparing to set up 34 new telecommunication sites, including distributed antenna systems (DAS) in tunnels and partnering with major mobile operators using its neutral host model. This plan consists of a dynamic V2X communications infrastructure network plus edge computing nodes which will offer 5G connectivity across the four cross-border corridors totaling 1,400 km. The total cost of the project will be around EUR24m, with the European Commission providing half of that amount. To learn additional information, please read this announcement.


Recent Content

5G Advanced and AI are reshaping utility private networks into hyper-intelligent, resilient grids. Learn how edge AI, programmable networks, digital twins, and human-in-the-loop automation will enable predictive maintenance, real-time grid optimization, and new energy services.
Cybersecurity is now a core pillar of utility private networks. Explore how Zero Trust Architecture helps utilities secure SCADA systems, protect distributed energy assets, and comply with NERC CIP standards, keeping critical infrastructure safe in a hybrid IT/OT world.
Utilities are turning private LTE and 5G networks into revenue engines with monetization and shared use models. Learn how Fixed Wireless Access, neutral host strategies, mobile wholesale partnerships, and edge services help utilities bridge the digital divide, support local economies, and generate ROI from advanced network investments.
Private LTE and 5G networks enable utilities to achieve sustainability and ESG goals by supporting clean energy, climate resilience, safer field operations, and transparent ESG reporting. Discover how utilities are using private networks to lower emissions, integrate renewables, and protect communities.
As utilities expand private LTE and 5G networks, strong partner ecosystems and managed services help balance performance, compliance, and cost. Explore how orchestration, governance frameworks, and co-managed models enable utilities to scale smarter and faster.
Whitepaper
Telecom networks are facing unprecedented complexity with 5G, IoT, and cloud services. Traditional service assurance methods are becoming obsolete, making AI-driven, real-time analytics essential for competitive advantage. This independent industry whitepaper explores how DPUs, GPUs, and Generative AI (GenAI) are enabling predictive automation, reducing operational costs, and improving service quality....
Whitepaper
Explore the collaboration between Purdue Research Foundation, Purdue University, Ericsson, and Saab at the Aviation Innovation Hub. Discover how private 5G networks, real-time analytics, and sustainable innovations are shaping the "Airport of the Future" for a smarter, safer, and greener aviation industry....
Article & Insights
This article explores the deployment of 5G NR Transparent Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), detailing the architecture's advantages and challenges. It highlights how this "bent-pipe" NTN approach integrates ground-based gNodeB components with NGSO satellite constellations to expand global connectivity. Key challenges like moving beam management, interference mitigation, and latency are discussed, underscoring...

Download Magazine

With Subscription

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Scroll to Top

Private Network Readiness Assessment

Run your readiness check now — for enterprises, operators, OEMs & SIs planning and delivering Private 5G solutions with confidence.