5G Technology Could be Tested and Trialled in Mansfield

Nottinghamshire Council submits bid to obtain funding for the research and development of 5G mobile internet.

07:12 12 October 2021

A Nottinghamshire Council-led initiative could see 5G technology being trialled and tested in Mansfield. The bid forms part of the Government's new Future RAN competition (FRANC) to fund research and development of 5G mobile internet. 

 

The FRANC aims to create and adopt a "new breed of wireless communication technology" to allow multiple suppliers to take part in the country's 5G network. The £30million scheme is looking at projects designed to fast-track the availability of Open RAN products in areas of high connectivity. 

 

Fardad Amirsaeedi, council senior regeneration officer, said: “We are supporting a bid to access the fund to trial 5G technology in Mansfield. 

 

“The submission has gone through to Government for a bid to trial 5G, and it will involve masts with possibly three companies participating in the trial process.

 

“This is through Nottinghamshire Council.

 

“About a year ago there was a big kerfuffle about the company Huawei, and this has come off the back of that.”

 

Matt Warman, digital infrastructure minister, said: “This competition aims to get some of our most creative minds helping the UK safely and securely deliver the amazing benefits of 5G for people and businesses.

 

“It is a major part of our plans to harness the country’s tech prowess, open up the telecoms market, and create new jobs and investment.”