This week, The Scotland 5G Centre announced the opening of live 5G private networks to showcase, innovate and test 5G ideas, starting with its first rural hub in Dumfries in the South of Scotland.

This will be closely followed by Forth Valley in the central belt going live next month.

Live test beds opening across the regions will allow the S5GConnect programme to accelerate the adoption of 5G across the country with the hope that advanced digital connectivity will support new opportunities and economic progress through innovation.

The first rural live 5G network is now open for business at the Scotland 5G Centre hub at the Crichton Centre in Dumfries.

The live network will offer demonstrations of 5G capability, as well the chance for others to test their own products and services.

Applications on display will include communication through large format holograms. This technology enables you to feel physically present with another person in a different location.

This ‘holoportation’ will demonstrate the opportunities for remote healthcare through a live, immersive and interactive conversation with a clinician in London. It showcases the next level of telepresence for healthcare, business meetings and education across borders.

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‘5G in a box’ will demonstrate a solution for rural areas with poor coverage. The application provides true end-to-end 5G network capability.  Visitors will appreciate the benefits that 5G can enable.

The centre’s ‘smart tourism’ application will allow visitors to be transported to Cambridge to admire King’s College Cathedral ceiling mural, as well as a mixed reality experience of a life-size Stonehenge.

Speaking about S5GConnect, head of the programme, Lara Moloney, says: “As the first physical 5G live network to open as part of the S5GConnect programme we are excited to open the doors to SMEs and leaders who are keen to innovate in their business.

“Providing an environment to test and trial 5G marks an important step forward as we work with businesses and network operators to adopt 5G in Scotland.

“Our innovation hubs create an opportunity for partnership and collaboration, allowing businesses from start-ups to established industries, to learn how to utilise 5G and use it to their competitive advantage. We have engaged with over 300 businesses in the last 4 months alone and are looking forward to supporting industry further.”

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