We’re living through a transformation in mobile infrastructure. But it’s not one that’s making headlines… not yet anyway. The real shift is happening at street level, in the way we think about network architecture, and in the partnerships we build to make it real.
We all know the pressures. As an industry, we’re pushing hard to deliver high-quality, reliable coverage to more communities and businesses, while grappling with tougher economics and limited room for traditional expansion. Tall masts in remote fields got us here, but they won’t get us to where the UK needs to be.
That’s why it’s time to talk seriously about small cells. Not just as a bolt-on to existing strategy, but as a foundational layer for capacity, resilience, and reach, especially in dense urban areas where macro coverage alone can’t keep up with demand.
And let’s be honest: demand is not going anywhere. It’s accelerating. Data usage is climbing fast. Customer expectations are rising even faster. And with operators committing to ever-broader population targets, the pressure is real. This isn’t about signal bars anymore, it’s about delivering usable, high-performance connectivity wherever people live, work, travel and gather.
But the path forward isn’t just about throwing more kit at the problem. It’s about rethinking the infrastructure model itself. That’s where Neutral Host Outdoor Deployment (NHOD) comes in, and where outdoor small cells become a crucial enabler.
At Cornerstone, we’ve been working closely with two essential partners to bring this vision to life:
- Signify, who have built trusted relationships with local authorities and understand how to unlock public infrastructure, especially lighting columns, for digital use.
- IONX Networks, who bring deep technical integration experience, a track record from Dense Air, and the RAN agility needed to support all operators.
Together, we’re building a blueprint for outdoor small cell deployment that works. One that doesn’t just tick the boxes technically, but understands the local nuance, the planning constraints, the power and fibre considerations, and the all-important commercial model.
Because let’s face it: NHOD has been talked about for years. What’s different now is that we’re finally aligning the pieces:
- JOTS compliance means operators now have a standardised, scalable way to integrate small cells into their existing networks.
- Commercial frameworks are starting to take shape, giving operators confidence they can deploy without losing control or differentiation.
- Local authorities are more open than ever to new solutions, but they need partners who understand their world and can help them see long-term value.
What we’re learning is this: if we can get those three ingredients working in sync: technical credibility, commercial clarity, and local trust, then we can finally deploy at the pace and scale the UK needs.
But it’s not going to happen by accident. It needs coordination. It needs shared ambition. And it needs us, as an industry, to stop treating outdoor small cells like a fringe tactic and start treating them like strategic infrastructure.
At Cornerstone, we’re ready to play our part. We don’t claim to have all the answers, but we do know this: our role as a neutral host, working across operators, vendors and regional stakeholders, puts us in a unique position to connect the dots. To turn promising trials into scalable networks. To take NHOD from PowerPoint to street pole.
And we’re already seeing it happen. Towns and cities are starting to lean in. The appetite is there. The urgency is growing. And the benefits, from digital inclusion to future-proofed capacity, are impossible to ignore.
The truth is: this is no longer a technology problem. It’s a coordination challenge. And the prize is huge: a UK mobile network that’s fit for the future; not just in theory, but in practice.
So here’s our call to action.
If you’re an operator: come to the table. NHOD gives you reach, resilience and cost-efficiency, while preserving your brand and network control.
If you’re a local authority: work with us. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. The partnerships and frameworks already exist. We’ll help you unlock your own infrastructure for digital use.
If you’re a vendor: let’s collaborate. The market is here. The opportunity is real. But we need joined-up delivery that works from procurement through to performance.
The blueprint is in place. The pressure is mounting. And the UK deserves a mobile infrastructure strategy that’s bold enough to meet the moment.
We’re ready. Let’s build it, together.
www.cornerstone.network/small-cells
by Jamie Hayes, Chief Sales & Commercial Officer, Cornerstone
