First In-Field 700MHz UK Standalone Private 5G Network Goes Live

The 5G RuralDorset (5GRD) project, which is testing a mix of 5G based mobile technologies alongside existing fibre optic infrastructure, has announced the successful installation and testing of the “world’s first” in-field 700MHz based Standalone (SA) private 5G network to serve rural parts of the Jurassic Coast. But not for consumers.

The 700MHz band has only recently been released by Ofcom for use alongside 5G mobile networks, and the lower frequency is ideal for achieving longer range coverage with greater stability. But such networks will only deliver limited broadband speeds due to the inherent restriction on how much spectrum frequency can be made available for data transmission.

However, the new network being tested isn’t designed for consumer connectivity, instead it’s a field test of how a local 5G based wireless network could be used to cover a long stretch of rural coastline at Ringstead, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door in Dorset (England) – without needing to install masts at sensitive (protected) locations. It will connect devices, such as digital signage and related surf condition monitoring buoys etc.

The network complements a similar 3.5GHz based 5G network, which was also installed as part of the project at Lulworth Cove. The system comprises a 5G standalone core at the Catapult’s 5G Step-Out Centre in Westcott, Buckinghamshire, fibre backhaul via the Dorset Innovation Park to the core, and radio systems deployed and operational at the various locations (see map).

On top of all that, a satellite broadband connection is also being used for additional backhaul for added resilience to the network.

Bethan Evans, Operations director at Excelerate, said:

“The testing of the network is a critical point, and this has gone extremely smoothly. This is testament to the collaboration and hard work of all the teams involved since the project began. This testing proved to be a major milestone in how 5G can, and will continue to, play an integral role in improving public safety.

We are used to leading on large scale and often bespoke, complex projects and really enjoy working with the other partners to deliver this ground-breaking project together. I’m excited about deploying the use cases in the next few weeks and have no doubt they will be as successful as the recently announced use case for Lulworth First Responders, which is paving the way for first responders to connect to the 5G network at incidents.”

The main focus of all this is to answer the question of how 5G connectivity could be used to improve public safety and help prevent incidents, as such the network is also being used to connect the local RNLI and Coastguard.