UK’s first 5G commercial application accelerator to work with Formula 1

Digital Catapult, the UK authority on digital technology is working with Formula 1 to explore 5G solutions.

The partnership, alongside SMEs, will delve into how 5G solutions can be applied to events industry challenges.

This is part of 5PRING: the UK’s first 5G commercial application accelerator based in Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton

The partnership aims to enhance event experiences for motor racing fans, making the viewing experience more inclusive and interactive for audiences whether onsite or at home – through the use of 5G and innovative technologies.

Jeremy Silver, Digital Catapult CEO, said:

“The 5PRING programme is firing on all cylinders to unlock 5G’s potential – and now industry heavyweights from the events industry are turning their attention to how advanced technologies can take their events to the next level.”

The 5PRING programme brings together startups, scaleups and experts to develop innovation in the events sector using 5G.

Formula 1 will test emerging technologies and assess the value from Digital Catapults 5G lab and demonstrators.

It will analyse how fans engage alongside SMEs and will build on its innovative technologies by working with the SMEs.

Pete Samara, Director of Strategic Technical Ventures at Formula 1, said:

“F1 is thrilled to be exploring with the startups and scaleups focused in this area, knowing that 5G is a technology that will transform and hugely impact event experiences globally.”

Those on the programme will have access to new technology, private 5G networks coaching and mentoring from experts at Virgin Media O2, Deloitte, Wayra, West Midlands 5G and Digital Catapult.

5PRING is one of several programmes involving Digital Catapult. Others include 5G VISTA, to deliver an interactive and broad range of content to sports fans, 5G Festival ‘a festival of the future’ where artists and audience can gather and connect through 5G and 5G Testbed Accelerator, a programme where startups use 5G to enhance products and services.

5PRING was pioneered by a partnership between a Virgin Media O2 led consortium and West Midlands 5G Limited and is being delivered in collaboration with a consortium of Telefónica UK (O2), Deloitte, Wayra UK, the Digital Catapult, with further support from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) Local Growth Fund.

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