Innovative 5G Open RAN technology previewed at Cambridge Tech Week’s Innovation Alley by Connecting Cambridgeshire’s CORE project
Work to develop and trial a 5G Open RAN mobile network capable of coping with high data demand environments was previewed at the Cambridge Corn Exchange in Cambridge Tech Week’s Innovation Alley.
The Cambridgeshire Open RAN Ecosystem (CORE) project, led by Connecting Cambridgeshire on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council, is bringing together a consortium of telecoms, data and use-case experts to deliver and test a cutting-edge, multi-vendor 5G Open RAN platform to improve mobile capacity in high density, high data-usage locations.
Many urban areas and high footfall events, such as city centres and concerts venues don’t have access to high-performing mobile networks that can handle data-heavy apps or a large number of simultaneous users. The CORE project is addressing this challenge by developing a multi-vendor 5G Open RAN platform designed to enhance mobile capacity and connectivity in these environments.
CORE, one of 19 initiatives funded by the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology’s Open Networks Ecosystem competition, is part of a broader national effort to demonstrate how Open RAN technology can build more flexible and cost-effective mobile networks. By using standardised parts from various companies, Open RAN fosters competition and innovation, promising a more dynamic future for mobile connectivity.
A consortium of partners – AWTG, Benetel, Gooii, Ontix, Wolfram and University of Surrey – are working together to harness next-generation technology to deliver this neutral host platform that can support more than one network operator and provide robust and reliable mobile connectivity, even in high-demand environments.
Cambridge city centre was chosen by the project as the urban location to demonstrate CORE’s high demand density applications due to its high footfall streets. The Corn Exchange, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2025, was decided as a key venue to trial this innovative solution – offering the venue an opportunity to see how it could enhance its future events with cutting-edge Open RAN technology to make it more attractive to next generation productions.
Continue reading at the CORE Cambridge website > connectingcambridgeshire.co.uk.
