Ericsson and Freshwave launch the next evolution of indoor 5G in the UK

UK organizations looking for assured indoor 5G connectivity from all the mobile network operators (MNOs) now have a new, more energy-efficient choice with ”5G on Omni” from neutral host provider Freshwave and Ericsson. In another first for Freshwave, 5G on Omni delivers 4G/5G connectivity indoors on day one from all the MNOs (EE, O2, and VodafoneThree) via Ericsson’s Radio Dot System. It’s the next stage in the evolution of Freshwave’s Omni Network, the world-first 4G indoor small cell solution with more than 6 million square feet of real estate live or in-build since it launched in June 2024.

5G on Omni is built on the Ericsson Radio Dot System and extends 5G carrier-grade mobile coverage to more spaces than ever before. As building materials can block mobile signal from reaching indoors, a dedicated multi-operator in-building mobile system ensures everyone inside has the mobile connectivity they need, no matter which network they’re on. 5G on Omni uses up to 50 percent less energy than a distributed antenna system (DAS), is faster and more cost effective to deploy with less cabling, and needs less space in the comms room.

The Ericsson Radio Dot System is the market-leading platform underpinning this deployment. Ericsson was ranked a leader among eight vendors in GlobalData's 2025 enterprise small cells report. Compact and engineered for rapid deployment, the Radio Dot System supports a broader array of spectrum bands than competing solutions and is purpose-built for multi-operator neutral host environments, making it the natural choice for powering 5G on Omni.

Connecting securely to the MNOs’ networks, 5G on Omni is configured and controlled by Freshwave’s engineers via the company’s data centre as a fully managed service. For organizations whose connectivity needs are met by 4G today, 5G on Omni provides a simple software upgrade path to 5G when required.

Simon Frumkin, Freshwave’s CEO, said: “After a world-first with Omni Network, I’m delighted we’re now able to offer our customers another first with 5G on Omni. It’s the next stage of assured indoor mobile connectivity, bringing all the operators indoors on 5G via small cells. Indoor connectivity is an essential productivity driver, as evidenced by our Mobile Connectivity ROI Index which found that the UK could gain £70 billion of added value by eliminating mobile signal not-spots indoors.

”5G on Omni represents an important step forward for indoor connectivity in the UK. We’re grateful to all the UK mobile operators and to our technology partner Ericsson for their collaboration in making this possible.”    

Luca Orsini, Head of Ericsson North Europe, said: "We're thrilled to have collaborated with neutral host provider Freshwave to deliver 5G from all UK mobile operators on the Ericsson Radio Dot for the very first time. It highlights how shared indoor infrastructure can accelerate high-quality 5G coverage and capacity at a lower total cost of ownership than legacy solutions, ensuring organizations and users benefit from seamless connectivity regardless of their mobile provider."

5G on Omni is already live at flexible office provider Workspace’s Record Hall site in central London, bringing 4G/5G mobile signal from all the MNOs to the offices and workshops there.

Chris Boultwood, Head of Technology at Workspace, said: “Good connectivity should be something our SME customers don’t have to think about. With 5G on Omni from Freshwave now live at Record Hall, our customers can rely on seamless mobile coverage throughout the building, whichever network they use.”

5G on Omni is already seeing strong demand, with Freshwave in the process of deploying it at several other customer sites this year across sectors including financial services, luxury goods brands, and a global fast moving consumer goods company. It’s also available via Freshwave’s innovative pay-as-you-occupy model, which allows landlords to pay to cover shared areas in a building, while giving tenants the ability to contract directly with Freshwave to join the in-building system as and when they move in. It’s easily deployed in environments ranging from single floors to multi-million-square-foot sites.