The CORE Project at Cambridge Tech Week 2024, L-R: Hamidreza Taghvaee (Uni of Surrey), Ali Ali (Uni of Surrey), Deepkumar Mada (AWTG), Sandeep Kumar (AWTG), Chidi Williams Ohiagbaji (AWTG), Anjali Nair (AWTG), Cristina Delgado Gomez(AWTG), Navin Sankersingh (Connecting Cambridgeshire), Marvin Kelly (AWTG, Michael Stevens (Connecting Cambridgeshire), Andrew Thomas (Benetel), Omar Gaye (AWTG), David Mintah (AWTG), Valerie Jackson (Wolfram).

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.

Cllr Lorna Dupré, Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Environment and Green Investment Committee, which oversees the Connecting Cambridgeshire programme said: “We all know how frustrating it can be when mobile networks struggle in busy venues or crowded areas, making it difficult to use apps or even make a call. That’s why we’re excited to have given Cambridge Tech Week delegates a preview of how we’re attempting to tackle this challenge with cutting-edge 5G Open RAN technology.

“Open RAN is a new way of building mobile networks that allows different companies to collaborate more easily, which in turn reduces costs and speeds up innovation. By trialling this technology here in Cambridge city centre, Connecting Cambridgeshire and the CORE project aims to create and trial a network that can handle the growing demand for data, ensuring reliable connectivity in even the busiest locations.”

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.

The CORE Project plans to begin its testing at the Corn Exchange with a range of use cases to showcase the versatility and power of the 5G Open RAN network in diverse environments. This will include augmented reality experiences, 5G-enabled gaming, enhanced connectivity for conferences, and interactive virtual tour guides. These initiatives aim to demonstrate the versatility and power of the 5G Open RAN network in various settings, ensuring it meets the needs of residents and visitors.

Michael Stevens, Connecting Cambridgeshire’s Strategy & Partnership Manager, said: “CORE is setting out to prove how the increased flexibility of Open RAN network architecture can deliver innovations in 5G network capabilities and the optimisation of network performance for specific business needs.

“By investigating an Open RAN neutral host solution, the network will be able to support multiple mobile operators over a single site this will encourage mobile network supply chain diversification – reducing costs for deploying and operating a network, and opening up business opportunities in the Open RAN ecosystem.”

By encouraging new market entrants and supporting the development of innovative solutions, the CORE project aims to make 5G networks more dynamic and accessible across the UK, ultimately enhancing the digital landscape and improving connectivity for all.

Find out more about the CORE project.