British Telecom (BT) yesterday announced the next step in its plans to evolve the U.K.’s digital infrastructure with its enhanced ‘Street Hub 2.0’ unit that introduces upgraded features such as sustainable design, environment monitoring for local authorities and the ability to boost 4G/5G mobile coverage. Alongside hardware supplier Trueform Digital, BT will continue to partner with Manchester-based technology, software and support supplier ADXBA, and Global, the Media & Entertainment group, as its advertising partner to support the digital street units.
More than 400 Street Hub units are in the process of being delivered for a wide range of purposes that include connecting local residents, businesses and visitors to free WiFi, and for aiding emergency services.The new units will be installed alongside existing units to new sites across the U.K..
James Browne, Head of Street at BT, said: “Street Hubs form part of BT’s plan to transform the U.K.’s streets with a digital communications service designed for the 21st Century. I’m really excited that we’re now evolving the service even further with a newly designed ‘Street Hub 2.0’ unit which is more sustainable, while delivering free public Wi-Fi services and improved 4G/5G mobile coverage to local communities. The free digital services provided by our Street Hub units can play an important role in helping to revive the U.K.’s high streets following the pandemic. We are working closely with local councils and communities to introduce the new units to more parts of the country, enhancing the U.K.’s future digital infrastructure, and bringing benefits to residents, businesses and tourists alike.”
Street Hubs connect to ultrafast, free public WiFi, with an outdoor WiFi access point connected directly to the fiber broadband network, bringing speeds of up to 1Gbps to users within 150m of the unit. BT said the new Street Hub 2.0 units can also incorporate 4G and 5G small cells to help improve network coverage and capacity for local residents, local businesses and visitors to high streets.
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