Witness entertainment like never before at the Cambridge Corn Exchange!

The Cambridgeshire Open RAN Ecosystem (CORE) project, a government-backed initiative led by Cambridgeshire County Council’s digital connectivity programme Connecting Cambridgeshire, in partnership with the Cambridge Corn Exchange, is offering a unique opportunity to experience cutting-edge 5G-powered Augmented Reality (AR) events – for free!

Taking place across two days on Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th February 2025, these innovative events will showcase the potential of 5G technology and AR, transforming the way we experience live entertainment. Tickets are now available, and we’re inviting the public to sign up and take part in this world-first trial.

Cllr Lorna Dupré, Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Environment and Green Investment Committee, said:“This is an exciting opportunity for Cambridgeshire residents and visitors to the Corn Exchange to experience the future of live entertainment firsthand.

“By combining cutting-edge 5G technology with augmented reality, the CORE project is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, making live events more immersive, inclusive, and accessible. We’re inviting people to be part of this world-first trial, so whether you’re a music lover, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious, this is your chance to help shape the next generation of connectivity and entertainment right here in Cambridge.”

What’s Happening

Monday 24 February – Augmented Reality Experience

Step into the future with an interactive AR showcase celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Corn Exchange.

• Celebrate 150 years of the Corn Exchange via a unique AR Concert that brings iconic performances to life
• Watch vehicles come to life in a virtual car showcase.
• Be part of a cutting-edge trial testing how 5G can enhance immersive experiences.

Tuesday 25 February – Live Music with Augmented Reality

A one-of-a-kind live gig experience, featuring local bands Smith & Brewer in the morning and Hungry in the afternoon, blending live performance with 5G-powered AR technology.

• Watch a live gig inside the Corn Exchange.
• Step outside and use an AR headset to see the performance streamed live in holographic form.
• Experience next-generation connectivity and help shape the future of live entertainment.

Tuesday 25 February (6 PM) – WiFi Wars Gaming Experience

Take part in WiFi Wars, the interactive live comedy game show where you play along using your smartphone or tablet!

• Hosted by comedian Steve McNeil (Dara O’Briain’s Go 8 Bit).
• Compete in a range of fun games, puzzles, and quizzes.
• See how 5G can revolutionise live gaming experiences.

How to get involved

Tickets for all events are completely free, but spaces are limited. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this groundbreaking trial!

Book your free ticket via the Cambridge Corn Exchange website.

More about the CORE project

These events are all part of the CORE project, funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. CORE is a consortium of telecoms, data and use-case experts, led by Connecting Cambridgeshire on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council, to deliver and test a cutting-edge, multi-vendor 5G Open RAN platform to improve mobile capacity in high density, high data-usage locations.

The consortium of partners including AWTG, Benetel, Gooii, Ontix, Wolfram and University of Surrey, are working together to harness next-generation technology to deliver a neutral host platform that can support more than one network operator and provide robust and reliable mobile connectivity, even in high-demand environments.

By taking part in this technology trial you’ll be helping CORE test how 5G and AR can be used to enhance live events and public spaces, to shape the future of entertainment.

Stay updated by following Connecting Cambridgeshire on LinkedIn and X and using the hashtag #COREHDD.