UK’s first independent 5G mobile testbed goes live at Millbrook
The UK’s first independent 5G-enabled mobile network – a key technology for connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) – has launched at Bedfordshire’s Millbrook Proving Ground.
On 12 February 2019, the AutoAir consortium demonstrated data speeds of over one gigabit per second (1Gbps) to vehicles travelling at up to 160mph. For example, live 4K video streaming.
Established in April 2018, AutoAir is led by wireless broadband specialist Airspan Networks, with partners including McLaren Applied Technologies and the University of Surrey’s 5G Innovation Centre.
Alex Burns, president of Millbrook, said: “The infrastructure allows our customers to test and develop CAV systems to a quality and level of detail never before realised in this country.”
Brendan O’Reilly, of Telefónica UK, added: “Test networks at sites like Millbrook will be crucial in understanding how 5G will enable the development of CAVs as well as the associated business and consumer use cases which will transform the automotive sector.”