Shoppers at Manchester’s Trafford Centre will be the first in the UK to enjoy their own 4G infrastructure while browsing stores – launched by EE.
Recently rebranded as intu Trafford Centre, its 31million annual visitors will be able to make the most of their mobile devices while shopping with the ‘superfast’ internet.
Shoppers will be able to use the high speeds to better keep in touch with friends, using social media or even making online media comparisons while browsing.
Fotis Karonis, Chief Technology Officer at EE, said: “We’re focused on bringing 4G to the whole country, and that goes beyond where people live and work to include spaces like the intu Trafford Centre in Manchester that are about leisure and retail.
“We know that shoppers want to stay connected, keeping in touch with friends, sharing on social media and checking online retail sites, and our 4G rollout is about connecting people where they need it most.”
EE are working with Wireless Infrastructure Group (WIG) to deliver the 4G infrastructure to intu Trafford Centre.
WIG are also behind a similar set-up at MediaCityUK, and are working with the mobile service provider to bring 4G to multiple UK sites over the next 18 months.
Scott Coates, CEO at Wireless Infrastructure Group, said: “The vast majority of mobile data traffic is based indoors and delivering service to venues like intu Trafford Centre with 31million customers a year can be a challenge.
“Building a network to meet this challenge has only been possible through our investment and the support of EE and intu. The network can support signals from all mobile operators and is the first in a long list of public spaces that we’ll be installing the systems – helping to make the UK more digital and boosting the UK’s digital economy.”
Trevor Pereira, commercial director at intu, said: “By providing 4G we are making intu Trafford Centre the most digitally connected shopping and leisure destination in the UK.
“This enhances our customer service, enabling great mobile coverage throughout the centre.”
Picture courtesy of rept0n1x, with thanks.
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