5G projects, testbeds & trials in the UK
The 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme (5GTT), part of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), looks to harness areas where the UK has a competitive advantage – such as in scientific research, engineering talent and our rich variety of technology businesses.
The Programme is exploring the benefits and challenges of deploying 5G technologies in line with the following key objectives:
- Accelerate the deployment of 5G networks and ensure the UK can take early advantage of the applications those networks can enable.
- Maximise the productivity and efficiency benefits to the UK from 5G.
- Create new opportunities for UK businesses at home and abroad, and encourage inward investment.
Information on the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, West Mercia Rural 5G related projects and UK5G can been viewed below. For a full list of the 5G projects (both completed and ongoing), visit UK5G at 5G projects, testbeds & trials in the UK.
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) helps to drive growth, enrich lives and promote Britain abroad. We protect and promote our cultural and artistic heritage and help businesses and communities to grow by investing in innovation and highlighting Britain as a fantastic place to visit. We help to give the UK a unique advantage on the global stage, striving for economic success.
UK5G
UK5G is the new national innovation network dedicated to the promotion of research, collaboration and the commercial application of 5G in the UK. UK5G is a ‘network of networks’ to facilitate and encourage the engagement and coordination of organisations working on 5G activities across the UK. It will enhance links between ongoing research and development and other activities being undertaken by organisations across telecoms and other sectors, as well as the testbeds and trials that will be funded through the UK Government’s 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme. It will facilitate the joining up of businesses, large and small, academic institutions and the public sector throughout the UK.
UK5G is independent and impartial. A senior national advisory board will advise the Government’s 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme, providing expert feedback from industry, identifying their priorities and advising on future areas of focus.
5G RuralDorset
5G RuralDorset is a ground-breaking research and development project to understand how next generation connectivity can help people live better, safer and more prosperous lives in rural communities, even in environments as sensitive as Dorset’s UNESCO-designated world heritage coastline. Its aim is to show how 5G can make Dorset a better place to live, work and visit.
The £7 million research and development project will contribute to the understanding of how 5G can be used to address some specific challenges – public safety, economic growth, food production and environmental – as well as create new opportunities in Dorset and rural communities across the UK.
5G Connected Forest
Centred around the ancient Sherwood Forest, the focus of the 5G Connected Forest project will be to explore the potential for 5G applications in the preservation of forests and their environment, and in enhancing the experience of visitors to the forest and surrounding area.
From robotic environmental management and non-intrusive live monitoring of the health of a forest, to live AR and VR experiences for visitors of all ages, and inspiring public transport users; the project will also investigate business models that can enable operators to boost rural connectivity and create innovative applications with the potential for commercial development.
Mobile Access North Yorkshire (MANY)
The Mobile Access North Yorkshire (MANY) project will support the development of future rural connectivity in the county by developing new technologies, apps and services tailored for rural areas. These will focus on tourism, mental health, coverage for emergency services and environmental management.
The project will build small mobile phone networks in areas that have no mobile coverage. It aims to understand how the public, private and community sectors can work together to reduce the cost of delivering mobile access in rural areas. The project is led by Quickline Communications, the largest wireless ISP in the country working with North Yorkshire County Council, two universities and four small businesses.
Liverpool 5G Create
Building a 5G network designed to benefit local NHS, social care services and other public bodies in a post-Covid-19 world. It will use private 5G networks to develop affordable connectivity for remote health and social care, improving future resilience and reducing inequalities that arise from lack of affordable access. This builds on the existing 5GTT funded project in Liverpool and develops the commercial business case for and testing new applications in the health and social care sector. The project will stimulate the development of low-cost 5G technology as well as improving future pandemic resilience and reducing inequalities.
5G Wales Unlocked
Building a 5G network designed to benefit local NHS, social care services and other public bodies in
The project will connect rural communities by demonstrating how 5G technology can open up new opportunities for businesses and citizens.
Its focus is centred upon the south east Wales rural region of Monmouthshire and its neighbour Blaenau Gwent. They will innovate in areas such as ‘immersive tourism’ and ‘farming security’ as key parts of the rural economy, whilst leveraging related technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things and Cyber Security as part of an as part of an ‘innovation platform’.
Everyone in every industry will feel the positive effects of 5G and we aim to put rural Wales at the front of the queue through our ‘Connected Communities in the Rural Economy’ project.