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London, United Kingdon – Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, has partnered with Cornerstone, the UK’s leading mobile infrastructure services company, and Dense Air, a leading neutral host platform-as-a-service provider, to transform street lighting infrastructure into a platform of scalable multi-operator connectivity.
This first-of-its-kind partnership will launch in Oxford, creating a shared network for mobile operators that leverage existing light points to seamlessly expand wireless coverage and capacity, enabling instant connectivity in dense urban areas.
Using street lighting, Signify's BrightSites solution provides connectivity for 4G and 5G, IoT applications such as CCTV cameras, Internet services via Wi-Fi, and other high bandwidth applications, eliminating the need for additional infrastructure and resetting the economic model on how mobile operators deliver service.
Dense Air’s multi-operator cellShare® platform enables Cornerstone to provide neutral host services to UK mobile network operators, adhering to Joint Operator Technical Specifications (JOTS). The technology optimizes network capacity by leveraging small cell technology specifically designed for public spaces.
Khalid Aziz, SVP and Managing Director of BrightSites by Signify: "By harnessing the power of 5G and IoT through our lighting technology, we not only illuminate streets but also pave the way for a more connected and sustainable future. In partnership with Cornerstone and Dense Air, Signify will enable our partners to tap into existing lighting infrastructure as a wireless network, bringing a new era of smart city solutions.”
Martin Reeves, Chief Executive of Oxfordshire County Council, said: "These new small cells offer an excellent connectivity solution, and it's exciting to see a sustainable option that works in both urban and rural areas. Enhanced digital infrastructure supports the council's strategic objectives by providing environmental, economic, and social benefits. Small cells, being only the size of a shoebox, minimise street clutter and seamlessly integrate into our surroundings."
Miranda van Gestel, Chief Customer Officer at Cornerstone: “At Cornerstone, we are leading the way in transforming the UK’s digital landscape with innovative solutions such as our Small Cell Coverage Solution. By integrating state-of-the-art technology into existing infrastructure, we’re not only addressing the growing demand for seamless connectivity but also empowering local authorities, MNOs, and communities to thrive in the digital age. Our approach ensures faster, more sustainable deployments that enhance everyday life, drive economic growth, and set the standard for smart city innovation.”
As the world leader in lighting, Signify is well-placed to transform existing light points into city-wide wireless network grids, enabling seamless connectivity at scale. Starting in Oxford, the project will later deploy across three major cities in 2025, setting the foundation for future expansion and innovation across the UK in the field of smart city infrastructure.
Learn more about BrightSites by Signify at https://www.signify.com/global/innovation/brightsites.
Further commentary:
Jim Estes, CEO at Dense Air: “We are delighted to be supporting this partnership, enabling Cornerstone and Signify to utilize their infrastructure to transform connectivity in cities across the UK. Our cellShare® platform as-a-service enables the secure and scaled rollout of small cells, supporting the growing demand for operators' services through a completely new economic model. This paves the way for a more efficient delivery of enhanced mobile services in the future.”
Craig Bower, Director of the Digital Infrastructure Programme at Oxfordshire County Council, added: "Our Digital Infrastructure Programme is continually working to deliver the best possible connectivity solutions to Oxfordshire residents and businesses. Collaborating with Signify and Cornerstone on other projects allowed us to be considered as one of the locations for the commercial rollout of these new small cells. We’re thrilled that Oxfordshire is the first-choice location, that we get to continue working in partnership with both of these innovative companies, and we look forward to seeing the benefits of the new connectivity."
About Cornerstone
Cornerstone is the UK’s leading mobile infrastructure services company, managing a portfolio of over 15,700 sites that provide vital connectivity across the country. As a trusted partner to Mobile Network Operators, local authorities, and the wider telecommunications industry, Cornerstone enables seamless communication by delivering innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions. From traditional towers to cutting-edge small cell technology, Cornerstone ensures connectivity that supports economic growth, smart city development, and digital inclusion. Committed to collaboration and innovation, Cornerstone plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the UK's digital landscape. For more information, visit www.cornerstone.network.
About Dense Air
DenseAir provides our partners with a Platform-as-a-Service solution called cellShare®, enabling infrastructure owners and operators to leverage their assets and provide neutral host MNO mobile broadband services nationwide. As a trusted neutral host operator, we enable the scaled and secure deployment of shared small cell clusters on existing or purpose-built street side assets; providing infrastructure owners and operators with a deployment model which complements, augments and adds value to their infrastructure portfolio. We are committed to enabling infrastructure owners and operators to provide neutral host MNO mobile broadband services by offering our cellShare® platform as a wholesale service to infrastructure partners nationwide.
About Oxfordshire County Council
Oxfordshire County Council provides around 80 per cent of local government services in Oxfordshire including social care for adults and children, highway maintenance, education, trading standards, fire and rescue, registration (births, deaths and marriages) and libraries. For more information please visit: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/
About the Digital Infrastructure Programme
The Digital Infrastructure Programme is a self-funded team in Oxfordshire County Council and collaborates with diverse partners to improve digital infrastructure across the county. By working with commercial operators, central government and running intervention projects, the programme helps to facilitate digital infrastructure delivery and improve access to broadband, mobile and public access to Wi-Fi services across the county. For more information please visit: https://digitalinfrastructureoxfordshire.co.uk/
Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) is the world leader in lighting for professionals, consumers and the Internet of Things. Our Philips products, Interact systems and data-enabled services deliver business value and transform life in homes, buildings and public spaces. In 2024, we had sales of EUR 6.1 billion, approximately 29,000 employees and a presence in over 70 countries. We unlock the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world. We have been in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index since our IPO for eight consecutive years and have achieved the EcoVadis Platinum rating for five consecutive years, placing Signify in the top one percent of companies assessed. News from Signify can be found in the Newsroom, on X, LinkedIn and Instagram. Information for investors is located on the Investor Relations page.
