O2 has signed an agreement with the Wireless Infrastructure Group (WIG) to develop a fibre-connected small cell network in support of self-driving vehicle trials in the West Midlands.

As part of the Midlands Future Mobility project, O2 will provide connectivity along a 50-mile route running through Birmingham and Coventry to test new technologies. It is due to be launched in 2020.

The next phase of the programme will see O2 develop advanced communication services to support the UK’s real-world testbed in the West Midlands. Furthermore, O2 will provide engineering support around the design of small cells on the route.

“Following our successful deployment of the UK’s first centralised radio network (C-RAN) in Aberdeen, in partnership with WIG, we will be using this same cutting-edge technology across what we expect to be Europe’s largest fibre connected small cell network,” said Brendan O’Reilly, CTO at O2. “Mobile powers our modern world and 5G has even more potential to move Britain forward which is why we’re excited to be working together with WIG to continue to build this technology into the fabric of our cities and communities.”