Ground-Breaking 5G Projects
The Scotland 5G Centre is the National Centre for ensuring Scotland realise the game-changing benefits of 5G Technology. Through our national suite of 5G Innovation Hubs (S5GConnect) we provide free advice and expertise to companies and the public sector on private 5G network deployment and access to a private 5G test bed facilities.
We have also invested in ground breaking flagship projects through our partners, that are exemplifying and delivering new 5G enabled opportunities for Scotland, such as the University of Strathclyde’s Rural Connectivity Developments.
The £1.9 million investment made by the centre to the University of Strathclyde has enabled the University’s StrathSDR team to develop cost effective connectivity solutions for remote and/or rural areas and outside broadcasting
For example, the team have developed a new portable custom private 5G pop-up network solution, bringing new opportunities to rural communities throughout Scotland and supporting a range of industries and services including energy management, fishing and tourism.
From the initial investment, the University has been successful in attracting additional funding and new collaborative partnerships. Recent successes include creating a shared spectrum 5G radio access network on the Orkney, to support the various need of the community – connecting Westray and Flotta to a 5G Cisco Core.
The University team, led by Professor Bob Stewart and its resulting spin out (Neutral Wireless) company have deployed ground-breaking 5G technology to open up new creative and operational opportunities to outside broadcasters. The team have already deployed their technology at various sporting events such as Rugby, Football and Boxing, and Racing – the Monster Energy British Grand Prix, MotoGP, broadcasting to a worldwide audience from a 5G handheld camera.
Most recently the team designed and deployed the pioneering ‘private 5G’ network technology to connect cameras for international broadcast coverage of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s final departure from Scotland.
The historic pictures captured by the University of Strathclyde’s network and beamed across the globe, included footage of the coffin being carried by personnel from The Queen’s Colour Squadron, 63 Squadron, Royal Air Force Regiment and the RAF’s C-17 Globemaster taking off and carrying Her Late Majesty to RAF Northolt in London.
The pop-up 5G Stand Alone network can be quickly deployed – within 24 hours of the spectrum licence being granted by Ofcom.
In addition to being a world-first for television production, the use of a private 5G standalone at an airport is also believed to be unique.
Traditionally, broadcast cameras connect to the outside broadcast solely using radio signals which rely on proprietary equipment whereas 5G enables a range of cameras and other devices, in a wider range of locations to be potentially used, opening up new creative and operational benefits to broadcasters.
Find out how this ground breaking technology can support you and your business by contacting The Scotland 5G Centre, and discover how your business can benefit from 5G by accessing our national suite of 5G innovation hubs distributed across Scotland by contacting us.
For more information on The Scotland 5G Centre’s 5G Projects visit: https://scotland5gcentre.org/5g-projects/