Cardiff Receives 5G and Smart Tech Demo from BT

BT demonstrates how 5G technology can rejuvenate UK towns and city centres.

16:52 16 September 2021

BT has recently launched an event at Cardiff Arms Park Stadium to demonstrate how 5G technology and its many applications can be used to rejuvenate UK towns and city centres. The event was attended by Cardiff rugby players, policymakers, politicians and business owners who were given the opportunity to experience 5G and augmented reality technology. 

 

Powered by EE's 5G network, a new smart city visitor application was made available to attendees, who then received 3D information on locations that they've chosen by pointing their phones at marked points. The technology, which generates 3D location-based experiences such as tourist and transport information, is hoped to help attract people back to town and city centres. 

 

Nick Speed, BT Group’s director in Wales, said: “It’s great to be able to showcase this latest technology in Cardiff, highlighting what the likes 5G could do to help boost cities and towns.

 

“Although 5G and technologies like augmented reality are still in development, we are working with a range of partners to experiment and develop smart solutions that could really help people and communities. If you think of Cardiff on a busy matchday, or someone visiting or commuting into the city, this technology is about giving people rich information to their devices about where they could visit, some local history and how to find the nearest bus, taxi or somewhere to eat.

 

“What was clear from showcasing the technology to a wide group in Cardiff was excitement around how it could be used to support economic recovery – giving a boost to areas that now find they have a lot of empty units or tempting people back to attractions that might be slightly off the beaten track.”

 

“We think smart technology offers real opportunities for our city, for areas like energy use, transport, health and wellbeing.

 

“The council is already using smart technology, but we're interested to hear about the latest developments in areas like 5G and augmented and virtual reality. Used properly, it could help us find innovative solutions to support our communities and citizens.”