5G Connected Forest
This project has now come to a close. To find out more on what was achieved, read our overview report.
Nottinghamshire was chosen by Government as the home of the world’s first 5G Connected Forest as part of its '5G Testbed and Trials' programme, demonstrating the county's potential as a leading showcase for 5G and related new technologies.
Based in and around the ancient historic woodlands of Sherwood Forest, the 5G Connected Forest programme was led by Nottinghamshire County Council in partnership with academic researchers and local businesses.
The £10m project focuses on how 5G technology could support the tourism and environment protection sectors, inspire local people and businesses to adopt and innovate with this new technology and looked to boost the local economy as part of the county’s post-pandemic recovery.
Funding of £5m came from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Rural Connected Communities programme, matched by the consortium partners.
What were the outcomes of the programme?
The 25-month pilot was successfully completed in March 2022:
- Deployed two 5G Testbeds in rural/forest settings, in three locations.
- Delivered three different 5G-based visitor experiences (‘An Arrow Through Time’ based at Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre and ‘Rufford Ghost Walk’ & ‘Tag in the Park’ at Rufford Abbey).
- Deployed 5G-powered Robot Forest Ranger and Robot Forest Manager drones and robots - to gather real-time data on the health of the forest, using artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide new insights into the protection of the forest and its visitors, and to develop the concept of a ‘5G Forest Emergency System’ for visitor safety.
Additionally, the project also acted as the inspiration for other activities outside the project’s remit including the creation of:
- The Turbine Innovation Centre, a new digital innovation centre in north Nottinghamshire hosting Private 5G, LoRaWAN and Bluetooth Mesh test networks.
- The UK’s first 5G Careers programme raising students’ awareness of the impact 5G and the technologies it powers are having on every business sector, and the opportunities for their future careers across all sectors from care to construction and from education to hospitality.
- A range of public engagement events using Gizmo and Eric (Birmingham City University’s 5G-powered robotic dogs) to inspire future generations in the wonders of science and technology.
- The development of proximity-based applications to support patient health and wellbeing.
Who was involved in the programme?
The Consortium was led by Nottinghamshire County Council and included Nottingham-based ISPB Consultancy Services, who are testing the commercial potential for these new developments, Nottingham Trent University, Birmingham City University, The Harworth Group, Gooii, Netmore IOT Solutions, Stagecoach East Midlands, Parkwood Outdoors and in partnership with RSPB which manage Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre on our behalf.
Contact us
If you are a business or educational organisation interested in finding out more about 5G Connected Forest, please contact us by emailing DigitalConnectivityEnquiries@nottscc.gov.uk including your postcode to help us deal with your enquiry.
