A groundbreaking 5G and Augmented Reality (AR) trial at the Cambridge Corn Exchange has successfully demonstrated how next-generation technology can transform live entertainment, offering new and immersive ways to experience music, gaming, and digital interactions.

The Cambridgeshire Open RAN Ecosystem (CORE) project, led by Connecting Cambridgeshire, ran two days of public trials on 24 and 25 February 2025, exploring how 5G connectivity and AR could enhance live experiences and test the capabilities of a new Open RAN network in a real-world environment.

As part of the CORE project, we’ve also been testing how 5G Open RAN can enhance connectivity in busy urban environments, working closely with local businesses to explore real-world applications.

A huge thank you to BrewBoard, the Hot Sausage Company, Market House Restaurant and the Peter Graves Florist market stall for taking part and helping us test how next-generation connectivity could support businesses across Cambridge.

📸 Pictured: Andy, who runs the Hot Sausage Company kiosk in Cambridge city centre, testing our 5G network. We provided Andy with a Samsung device – rented from Tablet Rentals – to tether the network from the CORE radio positioned across the street, allowing him to connect his Point-of-Sale system and experience the benefits of high-speed, reliable connectivity.

Participants at the two-day event experienced:
– An interactive AR showcase, celebrating 150 years of the Corn Exchange
– Two different live gigs, featuring local bands Smith & Brewer and Hungry, which were also streamed in real-time via 5G to AR headsets at a second location
– A 5G gaming event, presented by Wifi Wars, testing high-speed connectivity for interactive gameplay.

The CORE project and the event, supported by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and delivered in partnership with a consortium of technology companies including AWTG, Benetel, Gooii, Ontix, Wolfram and the University of Surrey, is part of a nationwide initiative to test the potential of Open RAN technology – a more flexible and cost-effective approach to building mobile networks.

Cllr Lorna Dupré, Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Environment and Green Investment Committee, said:

“This has been an incredibly exciting trial, not just for Cambridge but for the future of 5G technology. Seeing people engage with live music and interactive AR in real-time has been a fantastic demonstration of what’s possible with next-generation connectivity.

“The positive response from the public has sparked discussions on how this technology could be used beyond entertainment—whether in education, healthcare, or public services—to create more immersive and accessible experiences. This trial is a major step towards shaping how 5G can benefit communities across Cambridgeshire and beyond.”

James Page, cultural services marketing and communications manager at Cambridge City Council, added: “History was made at the Corn Exchange on Monday [24 February 2025], when the venue’s first experience of 5G technology took place. It’s been exciting for the venue to be part of such groundbreaking exploration into the potential to push the boundaries of entertainment technology.

“Particularly so at the beginning of 2025, as the Corn Exchange enters its 150th anniversary year – supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Cambridge BID – celebrating its immense historical significance, while embracing the future of live entertainment through its involvement with the project.”

The trial has provided valuable insights into network performance, real-time data streaming, and AR applications, helping to shape the future of mobile connectivity and digital innovation.

Find out more about the CORE project and what’s next as the project starts to come to a close, via the project page on the Connecting Cambridgeshire website.

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As well as the consortium partners, the bands Smith & Brewer and Hungry, the local businesses involved with the 5G network testing and everyone who came along to the Events on the 24 and 25 February 2025, we’d also like to say a big thank you to the following organisations who’ve helped bring CORE to life:

Anixter, Balfour Beatty, Cambridge Wireless, Cambridge BID, Communicate Technology Ltd, Insight Direct Ltd, John Henry Group, Light Blue Fibre, Milestone Infra, Mouser Electronics, Ofcom, Pathfinder Legal, Retrofit Futures Ltd, WiFi Wars, XLWerks and Zapworks.