EE and Nokia have upgraded mobile connectivity around Wimbledon to better serve residents and the many visitors to this London district, home to one of the world’s most renowned tennis championships.
Using 17 existing 4G and 5G sites alongside a newly installed small cell network, EE aims to deliver high-capacity, high-speed mobile service to the roughly half a million spectators who attend Wimbledon each year.
In an era when being online is essential—especially at major sporting events where people capture and share moments—mobile networks frequently experience capacity strain. Large crowds can overwhelm infrastructure, causing slow speeds and dropped connections when demand spikes.
To address this, EE has rolled out small cells—compact, street-level masts—to boost capacity in busy locations where building larger base stations would be impractical. By placing these small cells strategically across the area, EE is working to maintain reliable, year-round coverage and reduce congestion so visitors to SW19 enjoy a smooth mobile experience.
Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer at BT Group, EE’s parent company, said:
“We’re delighted to be working with Nokia to bring enhanced 4G mobile capacity to Wimbledon. With over half a million visitors expected over the course of two weeks in July, our new small cell deployments will alleviate congestion and ensure that EE customers continue to benefit from the speed, reliability and accessibility of London’s best mobile network.”
EE is using its licensed 1800MHz and 2600MHz spectrum to increase capacity and deliver speeds up to 300Mbps where demand requires it.
This Wimbledon upgrade is part of EE’s wider programme to expand capacity and speed across the UK. To date, EE has deployed more than 600 small cells in major towns, cities and popular tourist areas nationwide.
EE says it relies on advanced network analytics to pinpoint locations that need extra capacity. The operator also expedites deployments by utilising existing street furniture—such as BT’s traditional red telephone boxes—to host small cell equipment where appropriate.
Trials are ongoing to ensure these sites can be upgraded in future to support EE’s evolving 5G network as requirements grow.
By strengthening 4G coverage around Wimbledon, EE aims to meet the rising demand for dependable mobile connectivity during large events. Improved coverage and reduced congestion should help fans stay connected, share moments in real time, and enjoy a better overall experience.
(Image Credit: EE)
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