OREANDA-NEWS. Vodafone announced today that it has signed a global agreement with JCDecaux, the number one outdoor advertising company worldwide, to deploy small cells on street furniture and billboards to further enhance network performance.

The new technology, which will be deployed as part of Vodafone's ВЈ19bn Project Spring investment programme, will enable Vodafone to extend network reach, improve voice quality and increase data connectivity speeds.

Vodafone will work with JCDecaux to install small cells on street furniture and billboards sites primarily in cities and other densely populated areas. The technology will:

give customers faster 3G and 4G connectivity;

improve outdoor and indoor coverage areas; and

reduce the time and cost associated with upgrading mobile networks.

Under the terms of the agreement, Vodafone will deploy and manage the technology while JCDecaux will be responsible for designing and manufacturing the housing for the equipment. The agreement follows the success of a pilot programme conducted by Vodafone Netherlands where over 160 small cells have been installed on JCDecaux bus shelters in Amsterdam.

Jean-Charles Decaux, Chairman of the Executive Board and Co-CEO of JCDecaux, said: "After successful testing in Amsterdam, we are pleased to continue our collaboration with Vodafone by supporting its strategy to develop the quality of its networks. Connected street furniture is set to transform city life and JCDecaux is enthusiastic about contributing to these structural changes, providing lasting benefits to municipalities and citizens."

Kevin Salvadori, Director of Technology Strategy and Operations, Vodafone Group said: "We are delighted to partner with JCDecaux. This agreement will help us accelerate the deployment of small cell technology by giving us access to locations that in the past have not been available for network installations."