•  Freshwave is installing a premium voice and high-speed data network connecting all four mobile network operators in one of Wales’ newest hospitals
• As part of a 24/7 managed service, the hospital will benefit from as-needed specialist engineering support and an upgrade path as technology becomes available

Freshwave, a leading UK network service provider, is proud to be working with the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board to deploy indoor multi-operator mobile coverage across The Grange University Hospital in Gwent, Wales. Following installation, Freshwave’s managed service will support 4G voice calls and high-speed data from all four mobile network operators[1] (MNOs) with an upgrade path to 5G.

The Grange University Hospital is one of Wales’ newest hospitals and is state-of-the-art. It provides 24/7 emergency services for patients that need specialist and critical care and opened ahead of schedule in November 2020 to help respond to the pressures of winter and Covid-19 on the health service.

The Grange University Hospital has 560 beds (including trolleys and cots) and serves over 600,000 people in South-East Wales. Freshwave is designing and installing a digital distributed antenna system in the 55,000 square metre hospital.

Matthew Mahoney, Head of ICT at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said: “It has never been so important for our patients to be able to stay in contact with their families, so I’m pleased that we’re working with Freshwave to provide a robust, multi-operator inbuilding solution. No matter what network people are on, they’ll be able to access secure, reliable mobile coverage so they can always get in touch with people when they need to. It’s great being able to give that peace of mind to our patients and those that care about them. I look forward to the many benefits it will bring to our patients, staff and visitors to the hospital.”

Byron Calmonson, Director of Public Sector at Freshwave, said: “Given the safety-critical environment hospitals operate in, it’s crucial that on-site multi-operator mobile connectivity is resilient. I’m happy we can support the team at The Grange University Hospital as they deliver care to the community that has never been more important than it is today. We’re pleased to be closely collaborating with the team at the hospital, as well as all four mobile network operators, to deliver and maintain this service over the next ten years and deliver long term value to the hospital.”

[1] Along with 2G and 3G from selected MNOs.