What FreshWave does

FreshWave is a UK-based connectivity infrastructure-as-a-service provider and a subsidiary of Digital Bridge, operating a neutral host model trusted by all four UK mobile network operators (EE, O2, VodafoneThree). Founded in 2008 and headquartered in London, the company designs, deploys, and manages wireless coverage solutions for indoor and outdoor environments where building materials, density, or geography block macro signals. Its product portfolio centres on Omni Network — a world-first all-operator indoor 4G small cell system launched in June 2024 that consolidates multi-operator coverage into a single unit using up to 60% less energy than distributed antenna systems (DAS) — and 5G on Omni, launched in April 2026 using Ericsson's Radio Dot System to deliver carrier-grade 4G/5G from all UK MNOs. Supporting solutions include DAS for large complex venues, outdoor small cells mounted on street furniture, macro mobile masts, and mobile private networks (MPN) for factories, rail, hospitals and holiday parks, all delivered as managed services with 24/7 monitoring.

FreshWave monetises primarily through recurring monthly managed-service fees for in-building and outdoor connectivity, supplemented by upfront professional services fees for design and deployment on new sites, and by hosting MNO equipment on its owned site portfolio of more than 6,000 sites. The commercial model includes a flexible "pay-as-you-occupy" structure for landlords and procurement via Crown Commercial Service Network Services 3 and G-Cloud 14 frameworks for public sector clients. The customer base spans property developers and landlords, large enterprises, transport operators (airports, rail, ports), NHS trusts, universities, local authorities, stadiums and hospitality venues, and the four UK MNOs themselves, with 2,000+ UK buildings connected and 25+ open access agreements with local authorities. Distribution is direct enterprise field sales supplemented by MNO partnerships and council open access agreements, with no self-serve or PLG channel given the bespoke, site-by-site deployment nature of the business.

Name

FreshWave

Legal name

Freshwave Communications Ltd.

Website

https://freshwavegroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

FreshWave is a UK-based neutral host connectivity infrastructure-as-a-service provider delivering 4G/5G mobile coverage via its proprietary Omni Network small cell system, DAS, outdoor small cells, and mobile private networks to enterprises, property developers, NHS, transport operators, and all four UK mobile network operators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Telecommunications Infrastructure / Mobile Connectivity Infrastructure-as-a-Service

NAICS

Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (5171), All Other Telecommunications (517810), Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (517112)

SIC

Communications Services, Nec (4899), Radiotelephone Communications (4812)

akta.pro primary industry

Neutral Host & In‑Building Connectivity (DAS/Small Cells) (HDAIAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) (HDAIAKAB), Neutral-Host Wireless Network Operators (DAS/Small Cells/Indoor) (HDAIAAAF), Industrial/OT Private Connectivity (Factory, Mining, Ports) (HDAIAGAD), Small Cell & DAS Deployment (Pole/Street Furniture, In-Building DAS) (IMAFAIAE), Real Estate, Leasing & Colocation Management (Landlords/REITs) (HDAIAKAJ)

Keywords

• Neutral host connectivity
• Mobile network infrastructure
• Indoor wireless coverage
• Distributed antenna systems
• Mobile private networks

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Connectivity Infrastructure-as-a-Service (monthly managed service): Freshwave designs, deploys, and provides ongoing managed services for in-building and outdoor mobile connectivity. Customers pay a recurring monthly service fee for the connectivity infrastructure. Includes design, delivery, monitoring and service management. The company also uses an innovative 'pay-as-you-occupy' model for landlords.
2. Site/Property Services for MNOs: Freshwave hosts mobile network operator (MNO) equipment on its owned and managed site portfolio (6,000+ sites including macro masts and rooftop locations). MNOs pay for site access and infrastructure services to deploy and operate their networks.
3. Professional Services (design and deployment): One-time fees for design and deployment of connectivity solutions on new buildings or sites, with recurring managed service commencing after go-live. Commercial model mirrors customer approach: monthly service fee for existing estate, upfront fee on new buildings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Freshwave designs, deploys, and manages neutral host mobile connectivity infrastructure for indoor and outdoor environments across the UK. Its core offerings include the Omni Network small cell system, 5G on Omni (via Ericsson Radio Dot System), distributed antenna systems (DAS), outdoor small cells, mobile private networks (MPN), and mobile masts, delivered as a managed service to property owners, enterprises, transport operators, healthcare providers, MNOs, and local authorities.

Product overview

Freshwave is a connectivity infrastructure-as-a-service provider offering a portfolio of wireless solutions spanning indoor and outdoor mobile connectivity, mobile private networks, and managed site services. Its core indoor product is Omni Network, a world-first all-operator small cell solution launched in June 2024 that provides 4G/5G connectivity from all UK mobile network operators (EE, O2, Vodafone, Three) through a single combined unit, using up to 60% less energy than traditional DAS. Omni Network was evolved in April 2026 with the launch of 5G on Omni, extending 5G carrier-grade indoor coverage via Ericsson's Radio Dot System. Supporting indoor solutions include Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) for large complex venues. Outdoor connectivity is delivered through Outdoor Small Cells (compact 4G/5G units installed on street furniture) and Mobile Masts (macro tower infrastructure). Mobile Private Networks provide dedicated secure 4G/5G connectivity for enterprise, industrial, and public sector organisations. The Sited platform provides a web-based site discovery and permit management tool for outdoor infrastructure. All solutions are delivered as managed services covering design, deployment, monitoring, and ongoing optimisation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Omni Network: A world-first 4G indoor small cell solution providing all-operator mobile connectivity from all UK mobile network operators. Uses up to 60% less energy than DAS and is faster to deploy.
• 5G on Omni
• Sited

Products and services

• Omni Network All-operator indoor 4G/5G small cell system providing assured mobile connectivity from all UK mobile network operators (EE, O2, Vodafone, Three/VodafoneThree) in buildings, delivered as a managed service. Uses up to 60% less energy than DAS, with faster deployment and a software upgrade path to 5G.
• 5G on Omni Next evolution of Omni Network delivering indoor 4G/5G carrier-grade connectivity from all UK mobile network operators via Ericsson's Radio Dot System. Uses up to 50% less energy than DAS and provides a software upgrade path to 5G for existing 4G Omni customers.
• Outdoor Small Cells Compact 4G/5G mobile coverage units (approximately shoebox-sized) deployed on existing street assets such as lamp posts to enhance connectivity in busy urban areas. Process traffic at street level to relieve macro network pressure and are deployed under open access agreements allowing multiple MNOs to share the same street assets.
• Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) Enterprise-grade multi-operator mobile coverage solution for large, complex environments such as stadiums, airports, hospitals, and multi-building campus facilities. Supports 2G/3G/4G/5G with dedicated quality of service and is the incumbent indoor solution for the largest venues.
• Mobile Private Networks (MPN) Dedicated private 4G/5G cellular networks delivering licensed spectrum, gigabit speeds, support for thousands of devices, and stable low latency reserved for a single organisation. Available as portable or fixed installations, with use cases spanning factories, ports, trading floors, hospitals, and railway environments.
• Mobile Masts Macro mobile infrastructure solutions including ground-based and rooftop mobile towers built permanently or temporarily for mobile network operators. Freshwave manages design, planning permission, passive installation, and ongoing site management across its 6,000+ site portfolio.
• Sited (Site Discovery Platform) Online self-serve tool enabling users to search Freshwave's outdoor small cell and macrocell site locations by National Grid Reference, latitude/longitude, place name, or postcode. Includes bespoke range reach functionality and supports register and permit access workflows for landlords and radio planners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 60% less energy consumption compared to distributed antenna systems (DAS)
• +11 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Leeds Bradford AirportcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2026Leeds Bradford Airport partnered with Freshwave to deploy Omni Network across its refurbished terminal and X25 building extension as part of the LBA:REGEN programme. Covers 85,000 sq ft initially, extending to 44,000 sq ft more. Supports airport's ambition to grow from 4M to 7M passengers by 2030.
• EricssoncoreTechnology or Integration · 22 April 2026Ericsson is Freshwave's technology partner for the Radio Dot System used in 5G on Omni deployments. Luca Orsini, Head of Ericsson North Europe, confirmed collaboration on the world-first 5G on Omni solution bringing all UK MNOs on-stream via Ericsson's Radio Dot System.
• O2 (Virgin Media O2)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 December 2025O2 partnered with Freshwave and Surrey County Council to deploy 13 new 4G/5G outdoor small cells in Guildford city centre under an open access agreement. O2 is investing as part of its £700m Mobile Transformation Plan. Freshwave has also deployed 6 small cells in Perth for O2.
• Perth and Kinross CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Open access agreement with Perth and Kinross Council for deployment of six 4G outdoor small cells in Perth city centre for O2's customers. Council retains control of street assets while Freshwave coordinates MNO access.
• Virgin Media O2coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2021Long-standing strategic partnership spanning 15+ years. VMO2 and Freshwave have delivered 5G networks at 50+ sites around the UK, including major venues ahead of 2012 Olympics and 2014 Commonwealth Games. VMO2 was first MNO to make live calls using JOTS NHIB spec with Freshwave and CommScope. Freshwave deployed outdoor small cells at Guildford and Port of Tilbury for VMO2.
• CommScopecoreTechnology or Integration · 14 July 2021CommScope provided network equipment (ONECELL) for the first JOTS NHIB live calls project with Virgin Media O2 and Freshwave in Canary Wharf.
• Three UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree UK partnered with Freshwave to turn the JOTS NHIB specification from paper to pilot to business-as-usual. Freshwave brought 40+ sites live in the six months following testing. All Four UK MNOs have agreed to the JOTS NHIB spec.
• Surrey County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpen access agreement with Surrey County Council enabling deployment of outdoor small cells for O2 in Guildford. The council retains control of street assets while Freshwave coordinates MNO access.
• Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSIT (then DCMS) championed the open access model pioneered in Croydon. The approach has been adopted by many local authorities nationwide and became the foundation of the national open access model.
• Croydon CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst UK local authority to pioneer open access model with Freshwave. Over 50 new sites added after initial success. Area covered approximately 4 km² to date.
• CornerstoneminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCornerstone is the concession holder for City of London Corporation street assets. Freshwave worked with City of London Corporation and Cornerstone to install and upgrade street assets for multi-operator small cell deployment along Queen Victoria Street.
• City of London CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of London Corporation partnered with Freshwave and Cornerstone for a 10-site outdoor small cell pilot along Queen Victoria Street. EE went live December 2022, VMO2 January 2023, Vodafone planned. Ambition for 200+ node locations across the Square Mile.
• HS1 LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHS1 partnered with Freshwave on a 5G ARDT (Augmented Reality Digital Twin) project at St Pancras International as part of a consortium including PAULEY, Network Rail High Speed, University of Sheffield AMRC, and Athonet. Dylan Crowther, CEO of HS1, praised Freshwave's innovation in rail connectivity.
• Port of Tilbury (Forth Ports)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPort of Tilbury (Forth Ports) partnered with Freshwave for 5G macro mast upgrade. Completed passive installation in under 6 months, enabling VMO2's planned 5G equipment upgrade. Andy Darlington, Senior Procurement and Facilities Manager at Port of Tilbury, praised the professionalism and speed.
• Neos NetworksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeos Networks is a partner in the UK government's Project Reach programme alongside Freshwave (tunnel blackspot solutions) to improve rail connectivity via satellite and fibre deployment.
• GWRminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGWR services in southwest England and Wales were the pilot region for the UK government's rail Wi-Fi upgrade programme (£57M government programme including £12M for pilot region), part of Project Reach where Freshwave provides tunnel blackspot solutions.
• Online SystemsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOnline Systems was Freshwave's partner for developing the mobile private network solution at Verdant Leisure holiday parks, solving the connectivity challenge in tree-rich environments where Wi-Fi is not effective.
• The National Robotarium (Heriot-Watt University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFreshwave deployed a portable private 5G network at the National Robotarium in Edinburgh for testing agritech robots (Spot quadruped robot) before commercial deployment. Steve Maclaren praised Freshwave's RF design expertise. Athonet provided 5G core software and network equipment as part of the consortium.
• AthonetcoreTechnology or IntegrationAthonet provided 5G core software and network equipment in partnership with Freshwave for the St Pancras International 5G MPN and the National Robotarium portable private 5G network deployments.
• Network Rail High SpeedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork Rail High Speed partnered in the 5G ARDT project at St Pancras International alongside HS1, PAULEY, University of Sheffield AMRC, Athonet, and Freshwave.
• PAULEYminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPAULEY led the Innovate UK-funded 5G ARDT project at St Pancras International. Freshwave provided radio coverage plan, network build services, cloud core hardware and operations support.
• University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the consortium delivering the 5G ARDT project at St Pancras International with HS1, Network Rail, PAULEY, Athonet, and Freshwave.
• LMG (Smart Building Transformation Experts)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLMG was the Freshwave-approved reseller for the JOTS NHIB first live calls deployment at Canary Wharf, working alongside Virgin Media O2 and CommScope.
• VodafoneThreecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVodafoneThree partnered with Freshwave to deploy coverage and capacity at Paultons Park via a 30-metre lattice tower. Freshwave secured commitments from both VodafoneThree and O2 for the deployment.
• Amsy Chartered SurveyorsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDovid Pink of Amsy Chartered Surveyors (specialist telecoms surveyors) introduced Freshwave to Paultons Park to address long-standing mobile coverage requirements.
• Andrew (CommScope brand)coreTechnology or IntegrationAndrew (a CommScope brand) is Freshwave's technology partner for Omni Network, providing equipment alongside Ericsson for the all-operator indoor small cell solution.
• Aneurin Bevan University Health BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFreshwave deployed DAS at The Grange University Hospital and subsequently extended it to cover the new Hospital Sterilisation and Decontamination Unit (19,500 sq ft, 8 floors) for the health board.
• Clear Channel UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClear Channel UK partnered with Freshwave and VMO2 to create the UK's first 4G connected bus shelters in Tower Hamlets. Clear Channel's 20,000 bus shelters provide new locations for mobile technology deployment.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/freshwavegroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-freshwave-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A3 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FreshWave