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Enabling Smarter Connectivity in Coastal Communities

We’re excited to launch our latest case study exploring how we partnered with Dense Air and West Sussex County Council to deliver a community-first mobile app for Worthing. This project wasn’t just about building a product—it was about enabling a new model for scalable, sustainable infrastructure.

MyWorthing app splash screen, part of smarter connectivity for coastal communities
MyWorthing discover map connecting a coastal community
MyWorthing app offers screen for local coastal businesses

Supporting Smarter Infrastructure, From the Ground Up

Worthing is one of many UK towns experiencing fluctuating mobile demand. In the summer, it’s a thriving seaside destination. During the off-season, it returns to a quieter pace. These seasonal shifts put real strain on the town’s mobile infrastructure—leading to connectivity gaps that affect residents, businesses, and visitors.

The BEACH Project (Bandwidth-Efficient Access for Clustered High-demand) was launched to tackle this challenge. Backed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), it set out to trial shared, energy-efficient 4G/5G infrastructure in high-demand areas.

But to get the data needed to shape smarter deployments, the consortium needed a solution that combined real user value with anonymised, consent-led data collection. That’s where Sonin came in.

A Dual-Purpose App with Real-World Impact

We worked with Dense Air and West Sussex County Council to deliver My Worthing: a mobile app that gives residents and visitors access to local events, services, and businesses while running lightweight, low-impact signal strength mapping in the background (with full user opt-in).

The result? A dual-purpose solution that:

  • Engaged the public with a genuinely useful experience
  • Supported researchers with real-world mobile data
  • Informed the rollout of energy-efficient small cells across Worthing

With over 2,000 downloads in the initial rollout and 15+ small cells deployed in high-traffic areas, the platform is already having a tangible impact. And as part of the broader Open Network Ecosystem (ONE) programme, this model is now being explored for replication in towns and cities across the UK.

A Model for Future Collaboration

This project shows what’s possible when local government, national institutions, and private-sector innovation come together with a shared goal. By focusing on people-first technology and scalable infrastructure, the BEACH Project has created a blueprint for smarter, more sustainable connectivity.

And we’re proud that the platform we built is at the heart of it.

Read the full case study

Want to explore a similar collaboration? Let’s talk.