New film showcases benefits of next generation connectivity
Author: James Pryce
A new film shows how a research project funded by central government and industry has benefitted people in Dorset.
The 5G RuralDorset project recently made a film to document the experiences of individuals and organisations who are benefitting from the introduction of next generation connectivity in Dorset.
Now in its second year, the Dorset Council-led R&D programme, funded by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and industry, has been exploring novel uses of 5G that respond to the needs of those living, working and visiting rural and coastal regions of Dorset, and beyond.
It has been trialling innovative public, social and business uses of improved mobile connectivity and developing use cases that help to save lives, help protect the environment, boost the local economy and accelerate innovation for Dorset business.
The film premiered as part of an end user workshop to discuss the ways in which the project could further benefit the community and features testimonials from some of the organisations and individuals whose lives and work have been transformed by the introduction of this ground-breaking technology.
David Cotterell, Farm Manager at Kingston Maurward College, spoke of the way 5G connected cameras and AI are helping to improve cattle health and educating the next generation of young farmers. Whilst Anthony Pack from Lulworth Community First Responders, explained how the connectivity and the technology they now carry is helping them save lives along the coast.
The project has recently been granted an extension and has begun looking at the ways in which 5G networks can be used to improve the lives of Dorset’s most vulnerable independent residents. Sarah Levett from IoTSG, which is collaborating with Dorset Council’s Tech Enabled Care Team, explained that the increased data transfer afforded by 5G is allowing for more devices to be connected on a single network and more data can be gathered to support people better in their homes.
Gordon Fong from Kimcell, a business based at Dorset Innovation Park, said that the speeds and flexibility achievable with 5G is making the network installed at Dorset Innovation Park a big draw. Businesses are able to access 5G connectivity and develop and test 5G products and services alongside organisations such as the MOD for a variety of applications.
