Real Wireless

A UK independent wireless consultancy that advises on mobile, Wi-Fi and radio networks, including for stadiums such as Wembley.

About Real Wireless

Real Wireless is a UK consultancy that gives independent advice on wireless networks. It describes itself as the UK's leading independent wireless consultancy. Instead of selling equipment, it helps organisations decide what to buy, design how it should work and check that it does. Its advice covers cellular (mobile phone) networks, Wi-Fi and private mobile radio systems, including the radio systems used by security and emergency teams at big events. Being independent means it does not tie its advice to one maker or operator.

The best-known client in the pages we read is The Football Association. Real Wireless has advised it on wireless systems at Wembley Stadium since the stadium opened, and an April 2022 press release announced a three-year agreement covering Wembley and the National Training Centre at St George's Park. The relationship has lasted since 2007. The work includes advice on matchday radio and mobile coverage, liaison with stadium staff, event owners, emergency services and mobile operators, and help with the FA's tournament bids such as for the Euros. It also acts as a liaison for Ofcom, the UK regulator, on spectrum questions.

Its chief executive, Mark Keenan, said in the same release how much mobile communications had changed since 2007, noting that UK mobile data use had grown to around 580 petabytes a month, growing about 38 per cent a year. Those figures are 2022 statements. The release gives no formal mission statement; the nearest is the aim of helping stadium radio and mobile services reach the highest possible quality.

Where is it based? The 2022 press release is datelined London, with a contact listed in Lincoln, and other directories we saw gave other towns, so we cannot say with confidence where its main office is. It is a UK-registered consultancy with UK clients, and its team has worked with UK organisations such as the FA. We found no information on headcount or culture beyond that, so we are not going to guess. It is also listed as a supplier to UK public-sector buyers through the government's G-Cloud marketplace.

Consultancy roles in a business like this include wireless and radio engineers, network planners, researchers and analysts, project managers, and bid and business writers who help clients explain their needs. Physics, maths, computing and a love of explaining things clearly are all useful, and engineering degrees are a common route. Because it is a small specialist firm, people may get to work on very different projects, from stadiums to cities. The company's own website is the place to see what is currently open.

What they do

• {'desc': 'Independent advice on designing, buying and running cellular, Wi-Fi and radio networks.', 'title': 'Wireless consultancy'}
• {'desc': 'Planning and event-day support for radio and mobile coverage at big venues.', 'title': 'Stadium and event radio'}
• {'desc': 'Help with spectrum questions and liaison with Ofcom.', 'title': 'Spectrum and regulatory support'}

Key facts

• Describes itself as the UK's leading independent wireless consultancy
• Has advised The FA since 2007, including at Wembley Stadium, with a three-year extension announced in April 2022
• Chief executive named in 2022 as Mark Keenan
• Listed as a supplier on the UK government's G-Cloud marketplace (search result)

Website: www.realwireless.biz