AWTG was a key partner in the CORE HDD (Cambridgeshire Open RAN Ecosystem for High Demand Density) project—an ambitious initiative funded by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Spearheaded by Cambridgeshire County Council through the “Connecting Cambridgeshire” programme, CORE HDD developed and delivered a multi-vendor 5G Open RAN neutral host platform specifically designed for areas with high population density. As a technology and deployment partner, AWTG played an integral role in making this vision a reality, contributing not only to its deep technical expertise but also to a powerful commitment to driving the adoption of next-generation connectivity across the UK.
From the earliest planning stages to network deployments, AWTG’s involvement in CORE HDD was multifaceted and mission critical. The company led the design, integration, and optimisation of Open RAN infrastructure, ensuring high-performance, flexible, and scalable 5G deployments. These efforts were evident in both indoor and outdoor rollouts that brought 5G Standalone technology closer to communities and service providers alike in Cambridge city centre. Integration included advanced RAN units (RAN550 and RAN650) across Cambridge City Centre, such as at King’s Parade and Emmanuel Street, as well as comprehensive indoor network equipment installations at the Cambridge Corn Exchange and the University of Cambridge’s Roger Needham Building. These strategic deployments demonstrated not only AWTG’s technical proficiency but also its ability to execute complex rollouts in real-world, high-demand environments.
Beyond the nuts and bolts of deployment, AWTG also served as a driving force behind the CORE HDD project’s public visibility and outreach. AWTG actively promoted project milestones, site deployments, and event participation through its digital channels, such as LinkedIn and the AWTG website. These communications significantly amplified stakeholder engagement and public awareness, further reinforcing the strategic value of Open RAN in the UK’s digital infrastructure.
One of AWTG’s standout contributions to CORE HDD was its development, integration, and demonstration of an optimised Open RAN system facilitating real-world use cases that illustrated the transformative potential of 5G. In partnership with the Connecting Cambridgeshire-led consortium and the Cambridge Corn Exchange, AWTG collaborated with Gooii (an award-winning Nottingham digital agency) to orchestrate one of the UK’s first 5G-powered augmented reality (AR) showcases for live music streaming. It was featured in the Cambridge Independent newspaper and on ITV Anglia to rave reviews.
These public trials included immersive AR experiences, interactive gaming events, and live-streamed musical performances delivered directly to AR headsets. The demonstration successfully proved the performance capabilities of 5G Open RAN—particularly in delivering low-latency, high-bandwidth services. It also showcased how technology could redefine cultural engagement, tourism, and public services.
AWTG’s commitment to scaling CORE HDD’s success was also evident through its participation in key industry events, such as Connected Britain, Mobile World Congress, the IoT Tech Expo, and more. At these events, AWTG led live demonstrations of the FlexRAN platform—a flexible Open RAN solution that directly supported CORE HDD objectives. By presenting these innovations to a wide range of audiences, AWTG ensured the project’s learnings and breakthroughs contributed to broader telecom transformation efforts both within and beyond the UK.
AWTG’s role in the CORE HDD project demonstrated its full capability to design and deliver advanced private 5G networks. From building the technical infrastructure to enabling live use cases and connecting the private network in Cambridge with public networks, AWTG showed leadership in driving innovation. This work helped position Cambridge as a model for future digital cities. As the UK pushed toward more intelligent, inclusive, and resilient digital infrastructure, AWTG’s work within CORE HDD signalled a future where open, flexible, and high-performance 5G networks became the standard—not the exception.