The new portable network (pictured above) can provide companies with immediate 5G connectivity at a size only slightly larger than a carry-on airline bag.
Since the first trials of the portable solution, Virgin Media O2 Business has developed and deployed two 5G SA PN platforms. Telefónica’s innovation arm, Wayra has been using the network since last summer, enabling customers and small businesses to experience 5G SA enabled applications first-hand.
Start-ups based in Wayra’s London office have already benefited from the solution, including Mobilus Labs, an organisation using advanced voice technology to enable industrial teams to communicate in environments with extreme noise (85 dB+).
To ensure safe interactions between people and devices on sites like construction, manufacturing and healthcare locations, Mobilus Labs requires fast internet speeds and secure connections which private 5G networks can provide.
Jo Bertram, managing director at Virgin Media O2 Business, said, “Moving beyond trials, Virgin Media O2 Business is now the UK’s first telco to offer a portable commercial 5G Standalone Private Network. Britain is a hub for innovation, so it’s crucial that companies operating here can access the connectivity needed to create new experiences for customers.
“From start-ups to large enterprises, our latest network solution will enable 5G trials and deployment without the time or cost of building a whole network. Removing barriers, like location and cost, to ensure that businesses get the connection they need.”
Virgin Media 02 Business said the new product can help test relevant use cases for Industry 4.0 robotics, IoT, VR, and artificial intelligence.