Boldyn Networks kicks off post-BAI operations with two neutral host venue wins
To celebrate its first official day in new brand livery, Boldyn Networks announced it will deploy a new 5G multi-carrier wireless network in the 13,000-seat first direct arena in Leeds, UK, one of ASM Global’s properties. The neutral host network will offer visitors high-speed, high-capacity mobile connectivity regardless of their carrier service. It is designed to be shared by all four UK mobile network operators.
The news follows a partnership, announced earlier this week, that will see the company bring its 5G multi-carrier wireless network infrastructure to Olympia, as part of the venue’s £1.3bn regeneration of the iconic landmark in London. Boldyn will supply the neutral host distributed antenna system throughout Olympia’s outdoor and indoor spaces, across the 14-acre site.
“We are incredibly proud to collaborate with first direct arena on this pioneering project,” said chief commercial officer, UK & Ireland, Paul Osborne. “The launch of the UK’s first 5G neutral host arena represents a significant leap forward in delivering seamless, high-speed connectivity for both fans and venue operators.”
BAI Communications no more
Boldyn Networks was announced three months ago when venerable Australian TowerCo-turned-neutral-host-provider BAI Communications announced it was rebranding all its recently acquired brands in the Northern Hemisphere including BAI, Mobilitie, Signal Point Systems LLC, Transit Wireless, Vilicom and ZenFi Networks.
The company will continue to trade as BAI in Australia but the newly-branded Boldyn has set up its headquarters to London and integrated all four of its US businesses, culminating in a major executive reshuffle which comes into effect on 1 July. The companies are privately held and majority-owned by the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments).
Boldyn will provide neutral host communications infrastructure to governments, transit authorities, and mobile network operators, operating across the US, UK, Europe and Hong Kong.
In a blog to celebrate day one, Boldyn Group chief executive Igor Leprince highlighted a number of key projects including: “the largest free public outdoors wi-fi network in the US through the LinkNYC project”; “full mobile connectivity to the world’s largest wind farm [Hornsea 2] that powers 1.4 million homes”; and in the London Underground providing high-speed coverage in 137 stations, platforms, and 400km of tunnels, plus building and operating the emergency services network on the tube.
In 2021 Sunderland City Council awarded a 20-year strategic partnership to BAI to design, build and operate “next generation digital infrastructure” including a private 5G small cell network. The company subsequently partnered Mavenir for Sunderland’s 5G smart city project.