Impressively, an innovative private network designed and deployed by experts from the Software Defined Radio (StrathSDR) team, one of Scotland’s 5G Centre-funded projects, has enabled the world’s first live TV news using shared radio spectrum, and part of the University of Strathclyde.
Not only did Scotland become the backdrop for the action, but its innovators enabled the exchange of high-definition pictures to convey the historic final journey from Balmoral to Edinburgh Airport to London. The rapid deployment of the 5G wireless solution avoids the potential safety hazards of cables crossing the airport runway and ensures high-quality services. Collaboration between innovation centers, academia and business enables images to be captured and transmitted globally using advanced connectivity.
The stakes are high for this 5G application, and it is one of the pioneering innovation case studies included in the masterclass session titled ‘Validating Scotland’s future through 5G’ at the Digital Scotland conference today (25 October), which I will be attending .
The StrathSDR team, responsible for broadcasting the Queen’s broadcast to millions of people around the world, is one of the £1.9 million projects funded by the Scottish 5G Centre. The return on this investment is currently around £2.5 million. The real value lies in the pivotal role the Scottish 5G Centre has played in enabling this innovation.
As a national entity, we are able to support the ecosystem and ensure collaboration between academia, industry and licensing operator Ofcom. Nine hours of uninterrupted live coverage is the perfect global advertisement for the importance and relevance of 5G wireless technology. We are currently seeing further development to support rural communities using locally shared spectrum 5G networks and low-cost broadcasting.
We will also continue to support innovation and research projects with one of our other founding partners, the University of Glasgow, to develop potential commercial and commercial applications around sensing and imaging. 5G could create a super immersive learning experience using a teleoperated robotic arm. One of the many use cases is learning on a global scale, and some of these business opportunities lie in the field of small nanoscale devices in the electronics industry.
We are continually coordinating our partner network to explore how 5G and its advanced connectivity can deliver innovation across different industries and sectors. Our network of S5GConnect hubs allows us to bring together SMEs, entrepreneurs, businesses and regional organisations in rural Scotland and urban centres.
We plan to open seven innovation centers this year to bring 5G test beds to new urban and rural areas to help local businesses gain the expertise they need to digitally transform. The use of digital and data technologies will cover key sectors such as: health, logistics, agritech and manufacturing. This technology is key to developing processes and encouraging sustainable development.
These centers allow demonstrations of 5G capabilities and are staffed with experts to guide companies in their use in their own business environments. We are already seeing digital technologies used to create smart factories linked with sensors to take advantage of remote tracking and automation. Health departments are looking for immersive technology to support software development training for adult caregivers.
Our work is designed to connect experts and build connections and expand opportunities to simplify partnerships and encourage rapid and sustainable progress.
The technology and know-how designed and tested in Scotland has gained international recognition – which is why it remains on the global stage.
Julie Snell, Chair of the Scottish 5G Centre.