Silverstone gets its first permanent mobile network ahead of the British Grand Prix
Key Points
- Silverstone launched its first permanent mobile network in July 2026.
- It's a 570-acre distributed antenna system built by Boldyn Networks.
- O2 is the first operator live ahead of the British Grand Prix.
- The move replaces the temporary infrastructure historically used for major events.
Silverstone has switched on its first permanent mobile network, ending decades of reliance on temporary infrastructure to keep hundreds of thousands of Formula 1 fans connected during the British Grand Prix.
The new high-capacity network, built by neutral-host infrastructure firm Boldyn Networks, uses a distributed antenna system (DAS) spanning 570 acres of the venue, including the full 3.66-mile Grand Prix circuit.
O2 is the first operator to go live on the system, with its customers getting access ahead of the 2026 race weekend.
The upgrade addresses a problem familiar to anyone who has attended a major sporting event – networks designed for everyday demand collapsing under the weight of a crowd.
The British Grand Prix draws more than half a million fans across the race weekend, generating record demand for mobile data as attendees stream, upload and navigate their way around the circuit.
Until now, Silverstone, like many large venues, depended on temporary masts and mobile units brought in for major events, then removed once the crowds left.
The permanent DAS means capacity is built into the venue itself, delivering faster speeds and more reliable connectivity year-round rather than only when operators deem an event large enough to justify the cost of temporary kit.
Professor Robert Joyce, Director of Mobile Access Engineering at O2, said connectivity had become a central part of the fan experience, from sharing videos of overtakes to navigating the venue and keeping in touch with friends and family.
Paul Osborne, Chief Commercial Officer at Boldyn Networks UK, noted that O2 had moved first, giving its customers priority access to the enhanced network. He added that Boldyn was proud to be advancing connectivity at the UK’s most iconic venues.
The Silverstone deployment forms part of Virgin Media O2’s Mobile Transformation Plan, under which the operator committed to investing around £700 million in its mobile network in 2026, with a focus on busy venues, transport hubs and high-demand destinations.
The move also signals a broader shift in how large UK venues handle connectivity.
Neutral-host networks like Boldyn’s allow multiple operators to share a single permanent infrastructure investment, meaning other networks are likely to follow O2 onto the Silverstone system, and other venues are likely to follow Silverstone’s lead.
