ON-SIDE

Partners

• Cisco
• University of Strathclyde
• Glasgow City Council
• University of Glasgow
• BBC
• Neutral Wireless Ltd
• Scottish Wireless Ltd

Project Summary

The ON-SIDE project will address key challenges associated with deploying private 5G StandAlone (SA) networks operating in Shared Access radio spectrum, such as obtaining suitable spectrum licences and affordability of kit, while supporting the UK government and Ofcom’s broader telecoms diversification and spectrum management strategies. We plan to explore new methods for managing spectrum through a fully automated, adaptive system where spectrum could be released for minutes or event seconds. While cost will be addressed through testing of project partner-developed products and the creation of a 5G SA core solution specifically designed for private network scenarios – both fixed and pop-up.

ON-SIDE will test, demonstrate and evaluate these activities through a city-wide n77 design and innovation environment established in Glasgow and comprising up to eight test sites. This will enable us to also demonstrate the potential for such networks to support and drive innovative use cases that require higher quality connectivity than is available via public national networks. These use cases will cover a range of sectors and application such as smart city solutions, remote broadcast and live production, connectivity for sports stadia and similar venues, and academic and industrial campus solutions.

Project update:

The ONSIDE project has focused on deploying private 5G standalone networks both in Glasgow and further around UK, building portable private 5G units and establishing up to eight test sites. The project leverages shared spectrum and introduces innovative spectrum management & measurement capabilities which will help to inform both Ofcom and DSIT. This initiative has provided a robust testbed for exploring private 5G applications across various industries.

With a six-month extension, the project will build on its existing work by advancing sensing-enabled automated spectrum management technology and conducting further spectrum co-existence testing across key bands of interest to Ofcom and DSIT. Current solutions will be refined and further development will address new business sectors with new use cases. Commercial viability will also be assessed, and a key focus will be exploring the benefits and business value of 5G-enabled IP workflows and cloud technology, ensuring that ONSIDE continues to drive innovation in private 5G connectivity.

Visit the project website here.

Peter Shearman, Head of Innovation, Cisco UKI said: 

“From industrial environments to major broadcasting moments, private networks offer significant potential. ON-SIDE will build on the successes and learnings of previous 5G projects to tackle some of the very real barriers to widespread adoption of private networks.

We will address these challenges head on, with a range of solutions, ranging from the deeply practical to the highly innovative. ON-SIDE is about more than just theoretical research, we are excited to test our solutions in Glasgow where we will gather learnings for both broader dissemination, and provide the UK with an opportunity to demonstrate global leadership in radio spectrum management”.