5G RuralFirst will play an important role in testing core 5G infrastructure and technology. The 5G Core Network underpins this and will provide improved levels of connectivity, greater capacity, alongside reduced latencies (delays) and faster sharing needed for technology and real-time use cases to run smoothly.

Most notably, however, 5G technology will allow operators to ‘slice’ the network dynamically into multiple virtual networks, changing its characteristics depending on how it is being used, and ensuring security throughout.

These slicing and sharing capabilities could make 5G more cost effective and commercially attractive to deploy and operate in rural areas with new business models and service providers, with the objective of meeting the needs of rural businesses and communities.  This will ultimately change the way connectivity is deployed in rural areas across the UK.

Cisco is delivering a 5G cloud core upon which all the above use cases will run. This platform will be installed in the DataVita Tier III data centre near Glasgow.

The project will demonstrate the potential of 5G technology to close the connectivity gap, pioneering new approaches to the deployment of connectivity in rural areas. Cisco will implement “5G network slicing” tests involving UK start-up, Zeeta Networks. Within the 5G platform, Microsoft will provide Azure Cloud support to the 5G RuralFirst project which will be used in the Dynamic and Shared Spectrum Access trial. These slicing and sharing capabilities could make 5G more cost effective and commercially attractive to deploy and operate in rural areas, meeting the needs of rural businesses and communities.