Oxfordshire will become part of a new 5G innovation region after Oxfordshire County Council secured £3.8m of government funding.
The funding will initially be invested in two major 5G projects: the East West Rail between Bicester and Bletchley and the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.
The county council is leading a joint funding bid on behalf of nine other councils (Buckinghamshire, All Berkshire Unity Authority, Central Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire) to support 5G in what will now be called England’s Connected Heartland. We will be working closely with these councils on the project.
Councilor Liz Refman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council; “We are committed to working with other local authorities and partners to maximize our chances of securing investment in digital connectivity and communications innovation.
“Today’s announcement is a testament to the benefits of such an approach and can demonstrate the benefits of 5G to help Oxfordshire and surrounding counties become centers of sustainable economic growth.”
Sir John Whittingdale, Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure“We are bringing millions of people to rural areas to unlock the potential of cutting-edge 5G wireless and digital technology, which will reshape public services and drive economic growth.” , innovation will be boosted. This new fund will bring funding to local areas from around the world.’ It’s a chance for the UK to be at the forefront of the world-leading 5G revolution.
“For example, by using 5G for farming and the creation of science parks, we are not only supporting local communities but also encouraging new ideas across the UK. This is about more than just making your smartphones work together. It is about using powerful digital connectivity to transform different sectors of the economy and public sector across the country.”
East West Rail Project between Bicester and Bletchley
The UK rail industry is evaluating new connectivity options for both track operations and for passengers to access fast and reliable on-board WiFi. England’s Connected Heartland project aims to demonstrate how these requirements can be met through a pilot 5G network. This will also provide improved connectivity for communities and businesses along the line.
This project will look at how 5G can be used to improve productivity on farms along the route.
Harwell Science and Innovation Campus
Oxfordshire County Council plans to build a private 5G network covering the entire Harwell campus. Discussions are already underway with multiple organizations locally, including the European Space Agency (ESA), the UK Space Agency, and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). Both are helping build 5G networks.
Dr. Barbara Ghinelli, Innovation Cluster and Harwell Campus Director UKRI-STFC“We look forward to supporting the project team with their plans to build a complete private 5G network across the Harwell campus, which will bring the world of energy technology, space, quantum and health technology together. This will foster innovation options for leading clusters.”
The European Space Agency’s recent efforts include using satellites to provide 5G connectivity beyond the ground. The company is one of the Harwell companies to use 5G technology.
Professor Antonio Franchi, Head of Space, 5G and 6G Strategic Programs, European Space Agency Harwell Campussays: “We are delighted with the success of this funding bid and the result of our plans to build a 5G network here at Harwell Science Park.
“We are committed to developing solutions that will help drive the 5G digital transformation of the European economy, showcase British companies at the forefront of emerging space technologies, drive investment in the sector and strengthen cooperation with international partners. We look forward to developing further with our 5G/6G Innovation Hub.’ We look forward to the role this hub will play in strengthening co-innovation across England’s Connected Heartland. ”
Note to editor
How 5G supports sustainable economic growth
Innovation and advanced technology rely on world-class digital infrastructure. 5G brings faster and more reliable internet access to support productivity across a variety of devices and across industries. This productivity increase could lead to further GDP growth and new job creation. Increased connectivity also brings environmental benefits, such as reduced energy and natural resource consumption due to reduced travel and increased remote work. Clean growth means increasing national income while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Additionally, the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) and automation will enhance manufacturing processes, enable smart cities, and support the development of emerging technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality.
The creation of an Oxfordshire-led 5G innovation region, called England’s Connected Heartland, is a key part of the Government’s efforts to drive telecommunications innovation. The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology’s mission is to deliver stronger growth, better jobs and bold discoveries through innovation and investment in advanced technology. The UK’s communications network acts as the backbone of our economy, impacting how we run our businesses, access public services, enjoy entertainment and stay connected.
internet of things (IoT)
Describes devices with sensors, processing power, software, and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet or other communications networks.
watch short story video Comments from the government on the rollout of 5G are below.
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