Case Study - Major UK Airports

High-Capacity, 5G-Ready Indoor Mobile Connectivity at Major UK Airports

Delivered by SOLiD in partnership with Wireless Infrastructure Group


SOLiD is delighted to announce the successful deployment of enhanced indoor mobile connectivity across major UK airport environments, including London Stansted, Luton and Manchester airports, delivering a high-capacity, carrier-grade digital infrastructure designed to support millions of passengers, airport operations and on-site businesses.

Delivered in partnership with Wireless Infrastructure Group (WIG), the project features a neutral host Distributed Antenna System (DAS) that provides consistent, high-performance 4G coverage and a scalable evolution path to 5G-ready indoor mobile networks.

A Critical Piece of UK Digital Infrastructure

Major UK airports such as London Stansted, London Luton and Manchester Airport collectively serve tens of millions of passengers annually, connecting the UK to destinations across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

Modern airports depend on reliable, high-speed indoor mobile connectivity to function effectively. From boarding passes, passenger communications and retail transactions to logistics, safety systems and real-time operational data, mobile networks are now mission-critical infrastructure.


The Technical Solution: Neutral Host DAS Architecture

Working alongside Wireless Infrastructure Group, SOLiD delivered a bespoke, high-capacity indoor mobile connectivity solution using the SOLiD GENESIS Distributed Antenna System platform.


Key Technology Features

  • Neutral Host DAS Infrastructure
    A shared, multi-operator architecture enabling all major mobile network operators (MNOs) to deliver services over a single, unified indoor network.

  • Carrier-Grade Head-End Equipment
    Designed to handle large volumes of concurrent users while maintaining signal integrity during peak travel periods.

  • 4G Enabled, 5G-Ready Design
    The system is engineered to support future 5G spectrum, new frequency bands, and increased data demand without major infrastructure replacement.

  • End-to-End Indoor Coverage
    Seamless mobile coverage is maintained from terminal entrances through check-in, security screening, retail areas and boarding gates.


Core System Components

The deployments leverage the flexibility and scalability of the SOLiD GENESIS platform to deliver targeted coverage and capacity across complex airport environments:

  • GENESIS Medium-Power Radios
    Designed to provide targeted indoor coverage and capacity in high-demand zones such as security, retail areas and boarding gates.

  • GENESIS High-Power Radios
    Delivering extended coverage and signal strength across larger terminal areas and open spaces.

  • 4x4 5G MIMO Capability
    Supporting 4x4 MIMO architecture to increase data throughput and spectral efficiency in high-density passenger environments.

  • Multi-Operator Neutral Host Architecture
    Enabling all major mobile network operators to deliver services across shared infrastructure. This combination allows capacity to be engineered precisely where it is needed, while maintaining flexibility for future expansion and evolving airport requirements.


Engineering Excellence Through Partnership

The success of the deployment was driven by the complementary expertise of both partners. SOLiD supplied the advanced DAS hardware and digital RF platform, providing the scalability, reliability and performance required for a high-density transport environment. Wireless Infrastructure Group delivered end-to-end network design, RF planning, system integration and MNO coordination, ensuring the solution met both current operational demands and long-term capacity requirements. This collaborative approach has resulted in high-quality indoor mobile networks across multiple major UK airport environments.


Why This Technology Matters

1. Engineered for High-Density Environments

Airports represent one of the most demanding indoor mobile environments, with intense, short-term peaks in user-dense areas such as check-in, security and departure lounges. Using the SOLiD GENESIS platform, Wireless Infrastructure Group was able to engineer capacity precisely where passenger demand is highest, ensuring consistent performance even during peak travel periods. This targeted approach significantly reduces congestion, maintains signal quality and delivers a high-quality experience for passengers moving throughout the terminal.

2. Scalable and Future-Proof by Design

The deployed Distributed Antenna System has been designed with long-term evolution in mind. Its modular architecture enables a smooth progression from 4G services today to full 5G capability as demand, spectrum availability and use cases evolve. Additional carriers, new frequency bands and emerging digital services can be introduced without major infrastructure changes, allowing the network to scale in line with passenger growth and operational requirements. This future-ready design reduces disruption, avoids unnecessary replacement costs and significantly lowers the total cost of ownership over the system lifecycle.

3. Built for Resilience and Operational Reliability

In an environment where connectivity underpins safety, logistics and customer experience, reliability is critical. The use of carrier-grade components, combined with professional RF planning and system integration, delivers a highly resilient indoor mobile network with excellent availability and uptime.The solution also simplifies long-term monitoring and optimisation, reducing the need for reactive maintenance while enabling proactive performance management as usage patterns evolve.


“ Major UK airports, including London Stansted, are cornerstones of the UK’s aviation infrastructure, and providing a world-class digital experience there was a priority for us. Building on our success with other major transport hubs, this project highlights the power of the SOLiD GENESIS solution in tackling the unique challenges of high-density environments.

We are proud to have worked alongside the Wireless Infrastructure Group to deliver a robust, 5G-ready network that ensures seamless connectivity for millions of passengers and supports the airport’s continued growth and operational excellence.”

- Steven Gallagher - Managing Director (EMEA) SOLiD


The Key Benefits

  • Enhancing the Passenger Experience
    Passengers now benefit from fast, reliable indoor mobile connectivity across the terminal, enabling seamless voice calls, messaging and data usage. High-speed download capability allows travellers to access large files, travel documents and supports video calls and cloud-based applications even in crowded areas. The result is a smoother, more connected journey from arrival through to boarding.

  • Supporting Airport Operations and Retail
    For airport teams and on-site businesses, the improved mobile infrastructure enables real-time access to operational data, supporting more efficient logistics, staff coordination, and decision-making. Retailers can take advantage of smart technologies such as mobile point-of-sale, real-time inventory management, and data-driven customer engagement. Crucially, the network provides a robust foundation for ongoing digital transformation, supporting innovations such as contactless services, biometric processing and future smart-airport initiatives.


“Their solution has effectively addressed our mobile signal challenges, significantly enhancing the experience for passengers, airport operations and retailers alike. Travellers can now seamlessly use their devices throughout the airport to download travel documents, stay connected with family and friends and stream content without interruption.”

- John Vincent, IT Business Partner, STN, MAG Technology


“Airports are some of the most technically demanding indoor environments for mobile connectivity. At London Stansted, the challenge was delivering a network that could handle extreme passenger density today while remaining flexible enough to support future 5G services and digital innovation.

By working closely with SOLiD and deploying their GENESIS DAS platform, we were able to design and deliver a resilient, neutral host solution that provides consistent, high-quality indoor coverage across the terminal and a strong foundation for the airport’s long-term connectivity strategy.”

- Craig Birchenough, CEO, Wireless Infrastructure Group


This project represents a significant milestone in SOLiD’s commitment to UK infrastructure. By partnering with Wireless Infrastructure Group, we have ensured that London Stansted, London Luton and Manchester Airports remains at the cutting edge of aviation technology.



 

Philippa Kelly

Brand designer and Squarespace specialist at Creative Pip. I design strategic brand identities and custom Squarespace websites for small businesses and entrepreneurs. I regularly recommend Squarespace to clients and integrate it into my web design services to deliver scalable, user-friendly solutions.

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