Industrial 5G Testbeds and Trials Projects
The aim of this initiative is to explore the capabilities of 5G connectivity, through a primary focus in specific vertical industry sectors. These projects will develop challenge based use cases, demonstrating the opportunities and stimulating demand for 5G in UK industry.
Based on analysis work undertaken by DCMS, we identified that these projects would initially explore activity in the manufacturing and logistics sectors, though we will also consider other industry sectors at a later stage. Across the 5GTT Programme we are taking a balanced approach to exploring trials involving a number of industry sectors and applications, such as exploration of the health and social care applications for 5G in the Liverpool Phase 1 project, and a number of different sectors will also form part of the Urban and Rural Connected Communities projects.
These 5G Sectors projects will aim to develop, demonstrate and showcase novel solutions for digitalisation in the strategically important industry sectors of manufacturing and logistics, de-risking investment for early adoption of 5G. The projects will demonstrate the possibilities, fuel innovation, help define the industrial approach to 5G and provide a test environment for the next generation of digital connectivity required to deliver on the UK Government’s ambition to become a world leader in 5G. DCMS work on Industrial 5G Testbeds and Trials through the 5GTT Programme is a key enabler for the UK Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy.
We conducted work to engage the market and analyse potential interventions earlier this year, which was undertaken in partnership with Digital Catapult.
The Industrial 5G Testbeds & Trials grant funding competition is now open for applications. The aim of these projects is to demonstrate the value of 5G, beyond enhanced mobile broadband, by targeting industrial uses that can help deliver efficiency, productivity, and other benefits in the UK economy, and help the UK lead the development of enterprise applications for 5G. For more information please see the competition page.