Wireless telecommunications provider Vilicom has installed in-building wireless networks at the UK's newly constructed NHS Louisa Jordan and NHS Nightingale facilities amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the Engineers Journal can report.

Vilicom, has completed a successful deployment of two temporary in-building wireless networks that will support the continued efforts of NHS staff during the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The new networks will provide a robust and seamless connection for critical tools and communications channels at the two facilities.

The new sites, based in Glasgow’s SEC and Birmingham’s NEC arenas, now house treatment centres with the capacity to hold 496 and 516 beds respectively. Vilicom was tasked with providing intricate configuration and integration of new systems, while decommissioning existing legacy networks.

Just 24 hours to define scope of project

“Our call to action was immediate,” said Sean Keating, CEO of Vilicom. “We had just 24 hours to define the scope of the project. Within 48 hours we had designed and reviewed our operation, and began to co-ordinate and mobilise in-house resources, third-party service partners and vendors. For context, we typically allow for a one-to-two-week timeframe for design and implementation once the scope of the work has been established.”

Three days later, the network was fully functional. “It is thanks to the unparalleled drive and hard work of all our staff that we were able to establish a fully operational network within 72 hours – a staggering feat and lasting testament to every individual involved," said Keating.

"Our staff and vendors worked tirelessly to deliver this critical infrastructure in a high-pressure environment, when failure simply wasn’t an option. I am extremely proud of the work out dedicated teams have accomplished here.”