Firms such as a satellite company are already investigating how to use Vodafone's 5G Mobile Private Network in Coventry.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Warwickshire are now able to unlock the benefits of 5G for their businesses after Vodafone installed the technology at the uxplore SME digital support hub at Coventry University.
Uxplore – a part ERDF funded project – is led by Coventry University, in partnership with the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce. Vodafone’s 5G is now giving SMEs from across the region the opportunity to explore the technology to the full, boost their digital connectivity know-how and trial new ideas that could revolutionize the digital society of the future.
In addition, Vodafone has installed a dedicated 5G Mobile Private Network (MPN). This is an isolated wireless data network dedicated to the customer and offers customers a secure, private network, that is inaccessible by the public, on which to test innovative services.
MPNs tend to be used by large industries in areas such as manufacturing, healthcare, and energy to create dedicated networks that are faster, more stable, and more secure. But a MPN can be used in any environment that has advanced 5G use case requirements, including areas such as smart cities to power intelligent transport systems, autonomous vehicles and robotics. The installation of a 5G MPN at uxplore will ensure the SME businesses using the centre will enjoy uninterrupted 5G so that they can explore its speeds and capacity benefits to the full.
At the recent launch of the hub, Marius Dorobantu, Director of Eterra Space Systems Limited, a satellite communications company based in Coventry, said: “We are preparing to work on a demonstrator of a satellite and, for it to work, we need a base station for the satellite to communicate with. Our plan is to test the base station using the 5G private network system at uxplore and test functionality that way.”
Andrew Stevens, Vodafone’s UK Head of Small Business, explained: “Technology has long been seen as playing an important role in ensuring small businesses remain competitive. However, with a large number not having IT expertise, it can prove difficult for SMEs to keep ahead of the game. Uxplore is using our technology to showcase the benefits that 5G can bring. We’re delighted that Vodafone’s 5G can play a part in supporting SMEs across Warwickshire and look forward to understanding how the technology is supporting the businesses discovering it.”
Deepak Farmah, Head of Industrial Innovation at Coventry University, says he is delighted to support local businesses adapting their services to harness digital connectivity. “The digital hub is the prime location for innovation, where you can explore how 5G connectivity will benefit your business and use our space to plan and prepare for the inevitable digital future.”
