From pioneering private 5G solutions to advancing immersive training and spectrum monitoring technologies, the year has been marked by innovation, collaboration, and groundbreaking successes. Here are some highlights from our partners’ achievements and their plans for 2025.
Cisco: Driving Digital Transformation
Cisco, in partnership with Neutral Wireless, has developed a portable 5G system that underwent extensive interoperability testing. This system was successfully sent to the BBC, where it played a pivotal role in wireless camera testing, training, and research.
Additionally, Cisco and Intel have staged equipment at Logicalis labs, preparing for a comprehensive deployment at the port of Liverpool operated by Peel Ports.
Peel Ports Group in Liverpool is a hub for the UK’s container trade and a critical gateway for international shipping. With significant investments in infrastructure and technology, the Port of Liverpool stands at the forefront of the global logistics industry. Cisco, Intel and Logicalis, in collaboration with the port, are deploying a private 5G network to tackle connectivity and communication challenges.
This innovative network aims to support advanced use cases such as automation and remote crane operations, vessel monitoring, enhanced CCTV, and ubiquitous mobile connectivity for port staff, ensuring seamless operations and safety. Peel Ports Group’s commitment to efficient, sustainable logistics underscores the prestige of this collaboration and its significance for regional economic growth.
Damian Cross, Head of Containers Technology and Automation Strategy said: “We’re delighted to be working with Cisco, Intel and Logicalis to enhance the Port of Liverpool’s network as we seek to drive further innovation across our containerised cargo operations.”
Looking ahead, Cisco’s priorities include activating portable 5G systems across the UK and deriving insights from live deployments, such as the port’s digitisation efforts.
University of Strathclyde: Pioneering Spectrum Management and Open RAN Solutions
The University of Strathclyde has developed a proof-of-concept system for demonstrating and evaluating spectrum management approaches that could help to make private 5G networks more easily deployable in future. It has also developed innovative spectrum sensing technology for incorporation into the spectrum management proof-of-concept system, and has worked with Neutral Wireless to show how such spectrum sensing could be built into radios to aid network deployment and achieve more effective utilisation of shared spectrum.
The Strathclyde team has also been working with the BBC and Neutral wireless on building and evaluating a number of Open RAN solutions, and this work is generating a number of Open RAN-related learnings.
In addition to the above technology development and evaluation activities, the team has been supporting project partners on deployment testing and evaluation of private network use case opportunities.
In 2025, Strathclyde will be further developing and refining its sensing-enabled spectrum management proposals and contributing to the sharing of project learnings, and will continue to support other project partners to develop private 5G opportunities across various application areas and use cases.
University of Glasgow: Transforming Education Through Technology
The University of Glasgow (UoG) has leveraged ON-SIDE to advance immersive training solutions, focusing on clean room environments like the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre. Key achievements include the development and deployment of a VR Immersive Training Framework, the design of comparative studies between private 5G and other technologies, and initial trials in clean rooms. UoG also leads a comprehensive security study for shared spectrum private networks, addressing critical challenges in protecting network integrity and spectrum licensing.
For 2025, UoG plans to compare next-generation Wi-Fi standards with private 5G to explore cost-effective alternatives. The university will continue its focus on user experience studies and scaling the security framework for ORAN-enabled private networks.
Neutral Wireless: Innovating Spectrum Monitoring and Stadia Applications
Neutral Wireless made significant strides in spectrum monitoring by developing a front-end capability using AMD RFSoC devices. This innovation allows real-time RF environment sensing, which could revolutionise spectrum licensing by regulators such as Ofcom. The integration of spectrum sensing with their 5G radios offers dual functionality, enhancing deployment efficiency and reducing interference risks.
In addition, Neutral Wireless collaborated on stadia use cases, including two deployments at a premier Scottish football stadium. These efforts have informed broader applications of private 5G in high-density environments and media production.
Their 2025 goals include showcasing live private 5G operations in stadia, addressing co-channel interference challenges, and advocating for faster RF licence turnarounds through real-time spectrum sensing.
Insights from 2024
Across the ON-SIDE community, a recurring insight is the transformative potential of private 5G in addressing diverse challenges, from immersive training to high-demand environments. Partners emphasise the importance of collaboration, proactive security strategies, and user-centric design to overcome technical and adoption barriers.
Looking Ahead to 2025
The year ahead promises continued innovation, with partners focusing on real-world deployments, comparative technology evaluations, and expanded use cases. The ON-SIDE project remains a testament to the power of practical co-innovation in advancing digital transformation across industries.
We celebrate these achievements and look forward to another year of groundbreaking work. Stay tuned for updates as ON-SIDE continues to lead in technological innovation and impact!