2 platforms delivered 
Custom SDK and NQT field engineer app built for both iOS and Android.

30-second test cycles
Optimised for minimal battery impact and real-world usability across live environments.

100+ diagnostic data point
Captured per session, including signal strength, connection type, noise ratio, and download speed (Android).

Part of a national push for smarter connectivity

IonX (formerly Dense Air) is a leader in shared mobile infrastructure, working to reshape connectivity through open-access, neutral host networks. Their BEACH initiative (Broadband, Edge and Analytics for Community Hyperconnectivity) was selected as a flagship project under the UK Government’s Open Networks Ecosystem programme.

Our relationship began with IonX directly, where we were tasked with developing two critical components: a modular data-capture SDK and the NQT app, a field testing tool used by IonX engineers to conduct in-depth, on-the-ground diagnostics. From the outset, the SDK was designed to be lightweight, privacy-conscious, and easy to deploy across multiple platforms.

As the project evolved, IonX introduced us to Worthing Borough Council. Building on our prior work with the council, including the development of the My Worthing app, we identified a powerful opportunity: embed the SDK into the existing local app to extend network testing into the public domain. This transformed Worthing into a live testbed for smart connectivity, allowing anonymised 5G data to be collected at scale while preserving a seamless, secure user experience.

Integrated SDK Deployment 
Cross-platform implementation of IonX’s data capture SDK across iOS and Android, optimised for performance, privacy and reliability. 

Live, Real-World Data Collection 
Continuous, anonymised background capture of mobile signal strength and coverage quality throughout Worthing. 

User-Centred Opt-In Experience 
Transparent permissions and onboarding flows built around trust, accessibility, and user empowerment. 

Embedded Within Existing Infrastructure 
By extending My Worthing, we eliminated the need for a separate app — accelerating adoption and ensuring seamless UX. 

Privacy by Design 
Full compliance with iOS and Android privacy standards, balancing valuable data collection with end-user control. 

Policy-Backed Innovation 
Part of the UK’s Open Networks Ecosystem programme, supporting national goals for open, sustainable mobile infrastructure. 

THE CHALLENGE

IonX is on a mission to close the digital divide by replacing siloed, operator-specific deployments with neutral host networks, a model that reduces cost, improves performance, and enables greener rollouts. 

As part of this mission, the BEACH project was one of several high-impact pilots backed by the UK Government’s Open Networks Ecosystem competition. Its goal: test shared 4G and 5G infrastructure in a real urban setting to prove its technical and commercial viability. 

To succeed, IonX needed to: 

• Demonstrate coverage quality and reliability across Worthing 

• Gather continuous, anonymised user data from everyday environments 

• Prove the benefits of shared infrastructure to local authorities and national stakeholders 

But deploying new network hardware wasn’t enough — IonX needed user insight, at scale and in context, to show where shared infrastructure was working and where it could be improved. 

THE APPROACH

Rather than launching a separate app with limited reach, IonX took a smarter route: integrating their data capture SDK into My Worthing, the town’s official app, built by Sonin. 

This SDK was also used in a second internal-facing app (NQT) for field engineers, allowing for deeper active and passive testing on Android devices. We developed the NQT app for both Android and iOS platforms, ensuring broad compatibility for IonX’s engineering team. For My Worthing users, the SDK was tailored to protect user experience, running only short, active tests and offering a comparison screen so residents could see how their signal stacked up locally. 

This enabled IonX to turn Worthing into a living lab for smart infrastructure — gathering real-time mobile performance data from consenting users, with zero disruption. 

This approach gave IonX the precision data needed to validate shared infrastructure performance, while empowering residents to take part in shaping the future of Worthing’s digital landscape. 

THE IMPACT

BEACH has already delivered powerful insights, not just for Worthing, but for how shared networks can be validated and scaled across the UK. 

• Rapid community engagement 
  By integrating into a pre-existing, trusted app, IonX reached thousands of users quickly, building momentum and collecting data from the outset of the trial. 

• Policy-aligned innovation 
  As part of the Open Networks Ecosystem competition, BEACH contributes to a national strategy for open, interoperable networks, helping the UK diversify its supply chains and accelerate 5G adoption. 

• Granular, actionable data 
  The project generated real-world insight that helped map blackspots, highlight under-served areas, track seasonal connectivity variation, and inform infrastructure optimisation, proving the commercial and social value of neutral hosting. 

• Blueprint for smart city partnerships 
  This pilot demonstrated how telcos, local authorities, and digital partners like Sonin can collaborate to test and roll out future-proof, inclusive infrastructure, faster and more effectively. 

BEACH represents more than a technical success; it’s a model for how user-centric product strategy can support national infrastructure goals. By embedding innovation into everyday digital journeys, we unlock smarter cities, stronger communities, and more equitable access for all.