International wireless technologies R&D community Cambridge Wireless has launched a 5G mobile private network testbed in partnership with Huawei.

The facility will be located at the Cambridge Science Park, UK and includes an accelerator programme to develop and test 5G technologies.

Such technologies, said Cambridge Wireless, could include: connected autonomous vehicles; electric vehicle charging; waste management, air pollution, sustainability and clean energy; traffic management; the digitalisation of building services around wellness and health; remote surgery, ultrasonography and emergency medical treatment for hospitals; and automated guided vehicles and automation in and outside of hospitals for mobile temperature monitoring, disinfection and medicine delivery.

The first phase of the accelerator will run until March 2021 and Cambridge Wireless (CW) is calling for companies to apply for access.

The successful applicants are able to use the indoor 5G private network, the latest 5G-enabled devices and a brand new innovation lab within Cambridge Science Park.

CW will also provide successful applicants with free access to master classes run by industry experts, project coaching and support and networking opportunities with others in the 5G tech sector.

“We are launching this pioneering project in Cambridge to help companies evaluate and enhance value added 5G capabilities in their products, services and environment,” said Abhi Naha, chief commercial officer at CW.

Huawei vice-president Victor Zhang said: “We are working with Cambridge Wireless and innovation partners to incubate new ideas and applications to accelerate the building of a 5G ecosystem in the UK.

“The technology being developed has the potential to make significant advances in the fields of healthcare, transport and environmental protection.”

The UK government has blocked Huawei's 5G network equipment from being used in the core systems of commercial 5G networks, claiming the company is “controlled” by the Chinese government - something Huawei strenuously denies.

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