5G technology in Worcestershire

Sector and market opportunity

Worcestershire and the wider West Midlands is the ideal location to develop and commercialise 5G-based manufacturing applications.

The region is a national hub for a range of manufacturing disciplines eager to adopt Industry 4.0 technologies and processes. It offers the opportunity to test and prove new use-cases and AI applications in any sector on their proven private 5G networks.

Partner with smart connected manufacturing experts at nexGworx to ensure your applications are tested and refined before going to market.

Growth prospects

Government and industry commitments to 5G deployment means that there are clear opportunities and growth prospects for companies to develop and commercialise Industry 4.0 technology.

The UK is the ninth largest manufacturing nation by value of output. The total value of UK manufacturers’ product sales was £358.7 billion in 2020. The global Industry 4.0 market was valued at £60.94 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach £222.37 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 20.3% during the forecast period.

Location

Worcestershire is home to the UK’s first industrial focused 5G testbed and is an ideal location to develop, test and commercialise Industry 4.0 technologies. With its longstanding manufacturing strength and cutting-edge 5G leadership, the region has the relevant skills you need.

Benefit from the region’s expertise in its leading centres of excellence in advanced manufacturing and networks and security, and access a network of support from specialised centres offering a supportive business environment.

Connectivity

Worcestershire is close to Birmingham Airport, which provides excellent air links to major UK and international locations. It is also within 2 hours’ drive of Manchester and Heathrow airports.

Worcestershire’s road network is well-connected and there’s direct access to the majority of UK locations in under 4 hours.

There’s also rapid rail access to other major UK cities.

Local talent and skills

The West Midlands is the heart of UK manufacturing with 113,600 employed in 5,250 advanced manufacturing companies.

Over 23,500 students studying relevant subjects including physics, engineering and computer science.

There are 5 universities in the region that offer courses to support a steady pipeline with mobile communication and Industry 4.0 skills.

Research and expertise

The area has access to a highly-developed network of leading centres of excellence in advanced manufacturing including the Manufacturing Technology Centre and Warwick Manufacturing Group.

The Thermal Energy Research Accelerator works with government, industry and the higher education sector to undertake innovative research to develop the next generation of energy leaders. Tap into the expertise from centres of excellence in networks and security, including prime contractors like QinetiQ.

Local and national government support

The government wants the majority of the UK population to be covered by a 5G signal by 2027.

The 5G Diversification Strategy is an ambitious plan to grow the UK’s telecoms supply chain while ensuring it is resilient to future trends and threats.

Locally, Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) recognises the value of wider digital connectivity and supports industry’s needs through a partnership approach with business, local government, the third sector and education working together with a common, shared purpose.

Specialised centres in the region provide a supportive business environment.

Success stories

nexGworx

Building on the platform of success created by Worcestershire 5G, nexGworx provides a ‘Testbed as a Service’ and expert strategic and technical guidance. These services support customers who are interested in exploring, testing and trialling processes, products and services over 5G and other connected technologies. 

nexGworx helps UK advanced manufacturing industry and other sectors to harness the benefits of 5G connectivity and secure applications through smart factories, automated operations and productivity improvements.

Worcester Bosch

Worcester Bosch is a user of the 5G testbed and an early adopter of 5G capabilities. Use cases have demonstrated significant reduction in machine failures and downtime. Taking preventative measures to new levels detects issues with performance before they become failures.

This is an excellent example of how 5G capabilities can be used to improve manufacturing processes via Industry 4.0 technologies.

Heart of Worcestershire College Centre of Digital Engineering (CODE) Students

HOW College is partnered with the Worcestershire LEP working on the 5G testbed. Students of the HND program are collaborating to create a virtual reality museum for the Worcestershire LEP.

This will showcase innovations through time in the Worcestershire area.

Additional projects include development of video and voice services over a 5G network and an augmented reality app to display information for component help/assist technologies.