Cambridge Wireless, Huawei Plan 5G Network in Science Park
Article By : Nitin Dahad
Cambridge Wireless (CW) has teamed up with Huawei to build a 5G mobile private network on the Cambridge Science Park, as part of a testbed due to go live...
Cambridge Wireless (CW) has teamed up with Huawei to build a 5G mobile private network on the Cambridge Science Park, as part of a testbed due to go live in January 2021.
The new set-up will allow companies on the Cambridge Science Park to explore how advanced wireless technology can have a far-reaching impact on both society and the economy. With over 120 companies on the park, they will be encouraged to undertake research and trial applications using 5G in key areas such as autonomous vehicles, clean energy and remote surgery.
It is part of three-year partnership between CW and Huawei, which will involve digital training, business support and joint events. CW said that it had contracted with Freshwave, a network service provider to build the network. Abhi Naha, chief commercial officer at CW, told EE Times Europe that the network will be a light proof-of-concept network which will provide a testbed to see how they can get companies to use 5G to solve specific challenges. He added, “We are looking for organizations who would like to create, accelerate and test out new and innovative applications and products on the CW 5G testbed.”
The CEO of CW, Simon Mead, said, “As home to one of the world’s most advanced R&D ecosystems, Cambridge is perfectly positioned for the rollout of next-generation wireless technology and we’re delighted to be driving this initiative with our partners. We hope to bring something unique to the science park to accelerate use cases and development of this technology. We invite ambitious businesses to get involved and through this exciting three-year partnership with Huawei, we will support their 5G innovation journey.”
Asked about the selection of Huawei as a partner, Naha explained, “This is a private network, and nothing to do with government or national infrastructure. Huawei provides an innovative solution for 5G, and we can work collaboratively with the company.”
Huawei vice-president Victor Zhang described the partnership as a key part of the business’s ongoing commitment to the UK. He said: “Huawei’s success is built on a relentless drive for innovation and we are able to keep pushing the boundaries of technology when we partner with those who share this ambition. The Cambridge ecosystem is recognized as a global leader in technology and we are excited to work with the talent and vision in this ecosystem. We hope to enable Cambridge Wireless members to reach new heights by allowing them access to our state-of-the-art equipment and markets including China and beyond. Our commitment to the UK and industry remains as strong as ever and we will continue to offer our expertise and technology to our partners to promote connections and innovation.”
In addition to partnering with Freshwave for building the network, the partnership also includes TusPark UK, part of the science park network of Tsinghua University in China. TusPark said it is China’s largest family on nearly 300 innovation spaces in China, and its mission is to help startups, businesses and organizations from the UK to enter the Chinese market easily and securely.