TYNE TUNNEL GIVES MOBILE USERS A CONNECTED JOURNEY

29th May 2020

TYNE TUNNEL GIVES MOBILE USERS A CONNECTED JOURNEY

29 May, 2020 – Shared Access, the leading independent owner and operator of shared wireless infrastructure, has implemented its connectivity system at Tyne Tunnel in Newcastle. The work was commissioned by mobile operator, O2, following the community need for connectivity for through the Tyne Tunnels that in recent years have served 38,000 customers per day.

The Tyne Tunnel is a two 2-lane vehicular toll tunnels under the River Tyne in North East England. The tunnels connect the town of Jarrow with North Shields and Howden. The traffic that passes through the tunnel allows vehicles both a way in and out of Newcastle. This project was an opportunity for Shared Access to provide users of the tunnel with consistent mobile connectivity, throughout the entire duration of their journey.

The project began and was completed in 2017. Since its completion, additional mobile operators, such as Vodafone and EE, have signed up to join the infrastructure to ensure that their customers are also covered throughout their travel, without dropping coverage when passing through the tunnel. This access to mobile connectivity provides mobile travellers a seamless commute.

Chris Jackman, CEO of Shared Access, commented: “What we provide to the public is consistent connectivity. That has always been the aim with all of our projects, to enable people with mobile wireless coverage wherever they are. Our project at Tyne Tunnel truly echoes our mentality, we saw an opportunity to help a community in ensuring that their visitors were always connected, even when on the go.

Brendan O’Reilly, Chief Technology Officer, at O2, added: “We were delighted to have worked with Shared Access on this project. It was challenging but incredibly important in ensuring the Tyne Tunnel had the necessary connectivity to service thousands of customers each day.

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Tunnels are historically tough locations to get a phone signal. Traditional masts provide coverage outdoors to locations that can be seen – tunnels by their nature are underground, compact and often have lots of twists and turns that all stop existing outdoor signals from penetrating inside.

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