Cambridge Wireless and Huawei to Build Cambridge’s First Private 5g Testbed

Cambridge’s first 5G mobile private network will be constructed at the city’s Science Park, as part of a testbed due to go live in January 2021.

Cambridge Wireless* (CW), an international community for companies involved in the research, development and application of wireless technologies, is teaming up with global technology leader Huawei** to build the 5G testbed.

The launch of the network in January will kick off a three-year partnership between Huawei and CW that will also include digital training, business support and joint events.

Image credit: Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

A boost for Silicon Fen

Cambridge and the surrounding area are home to a bustling community of technology firms, start-ups, and academics — a reality that helped establish the area’s ‘Silicon Fen’ moniker, highlighting how it has become an increasingly influential global tech hub.

The new setup will allow companies on Cambridge Science Park to see first-hand how advanced wireless technology can have a far-reaching impact on both society and the economy. The more than 130 companies on the park will be encouraged to undertake research and trial applications leveraging 5G in key areas such as autonomous vehicles, clean energy and remote surgery.

Speaking about the planned 5G testbed, the CEO of Cambridge Wireless, Simon Mead, said, “As home to one of the world’s most advanced R&D ecosystems, Cambridge is perfectly positioned for the rollout of next-generation wireless technology and we’re delighted to be driving this initiative with our partners. We hope to bring something unique to the science park to accelerate use cases and development of this technology. We invite ambitious businesses to get involved and through this exciting three-year partnership with Huawei, we will support their 5G innovation journey.”

Cambridge Science Park*** was established in 1970 and is owned by Trinity College Cambridge. It has played a pivotal role in the “Cambridge Phenomenon” — the transformation of Cambridge from a market town with a world-class university to one of the leading technology hotspots in the world.

* https://www.cambridgewireless.co.uk/
** https://www.huawei.com/uk/
*** https://www.cambridgesciencepark.co.uk/