Improvements to the mobile phone network and 5G coverage along the coast
New cellular base stations, small cell and antenna distribution systems have been installed in 14 different locations along the beaches in Barceloneta, Vila Olímpica and Poblenou to boost the capacity of the network.
Barcelona, through the different electronic communications operators, has carried out a series of actions to improve the capacity of the mobile phone network within the framework of the America’s Cup 2024, which is being held between August and October.
The development of new electronic communications infrastructures of a high or very high capacity must allow for the provision of appropriate quality service at the beaches in the neighbourhoods of Barceloneta, Vila Olímpica and Poblenou. The infrastructures developed will be maintained once the sports event concludes, representing an improvement for local residents along the city coast and for those who use the beaches and the seafront regularly.
Given the expected high demand in the capacity of the mobile phone network, Barcelona City Council, through the Municipal Institute of Information Technology (IMI), has been working with operating companies to improve the capacity of the network in all three neighbourhoods. This work has mainly consisted of support, as the General Law on Telecommunication explicitly prohibits the use of tendering mechanisms for improving the mobile phone network, but does promote public-private collaboration when it comes to sharing infrastructures and sites.
As a result, from the economic perspective, the cost of all the steps taken has been borne by the mobile phone companies in question, with no associated costs for Barcelona City Council.
“This is an infrastructure that will remain in the city after the America’s Cup”, noted the Deputy Mayor for Economy, Tax, Economic Promotion and Tourism, Jordi Valls, in the press conference in August, also underlining this is a “substantial improvement” for local residents in one of the most widely used public spaces, the 3.5 kilometres of the seafront. Valls also explained the City Council’s intention is the “citywide rollout” of similar instruments, which is why this first stage is a way of testing what type of rollout and/or solution will be the best possible option for the rest of the city.
Four different actions have been carried out; the first three headed by Totem and Cellnex with the participation of Telefónica and Orange, and the last one headed by Telefónica:
- Cellular base stations on the rooftop of the territorial delegation of the Spanish Meteorology Agency.
- Small cells (innovative mobile phone masts) in street light structures on the seafront in the Barceloneta neighbourhood.
- Distribution systems for antennas in the street lighting structures on the seafront in Barceloneta and at the Bogatell beach.
- Cellular base station on the façade of the Club Natació Atlètic Barceloneta.
In addition, end-user providers (Telefónica, Orange and Vodafone) have been working to reinforce other private sites with new cellular base stations and/or upgrading current installations to provide 5G coverage along the city coast. Not just along the seafront either, but in the rest of the city as although the America’s Cup is being held by the beaches, the city is hosting various events in other places in Barcelona.
All these efforts to bolster these sites with 5G technology not only benefits end users, but also helps position Barcelona as a leading city in technology and innovation. With a modern and efficient telecommunications network, the city is better equipped to face the challenges of the future and offer quality services to citizens and visitors alike.