National Recognition for Rural Dorset Project

5G RuralDorset receives more national recognition for its internationally ground-breaking work.

06:07 07 November 2022

The 5G RuralDorset project has scooped additional awards for its internationally ground-breaking work. 

The Government-funded research programme, which has already won multiple awards for showing how emerging technology can make a real difference in people's lives, was highly commended in the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) awards in the Future Places category. 

Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for Corporate Development and Transformation, Cllr Jill Haynes, said: “This is another richly deserved award for everyone behind the 5G RuralDorset project.

“Their innovative research has demonstrated how next-generation connectivity can transform farming on both land and sea.

“And above all, their work proves how technology can improve the lives and safety of our residents and visitors.”

The project, which was launched in 2020, explores how technology can help overcome many challenges faced by people living in rural areas, including coastal safety, pressures on farming, poor connectivity and an aging population. 

Dorset Council’s Corporate Director for Transformation, Innovation and Digital, Deborah Smart, said: “It was an honour to attend the LGC awards on behalf of the 5G RuralDorset team and partners.

“The amount of work they have produced in two years, during the height of the Covid pandemic, is quite remarkable.

“Their ground-breaking work has shown the huge benefits of digital innovation and the real difference it can make to the economy and people’s lives.”