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.

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”.