AWTG is thrilled to announce that the Cambridgeshire Open RAN Ecosystem (CORE HDD) Consortium, following its recent win at the Small Cells Forum Awards, has now been shortlisted for the Smart Places Award at the Connected Britain Awards 2025. As Technical Lead Partner, AWTG is pleased to support a future-facing project that exemplifies how intelligent infrastructure and advanced connectivity can improve lives, boost local economies, and deliver on sustainability goals.
The Connected Britain Awards celebrate the UK’s most innovative digital infrastructure projects, with the Smart Places Award recognising initiatives that use technology, high-speed connectivity, and data insights to transform environments into more inclusive, efficient, and vibrant places. The CORE HDD project is a clear embodiment of this, having addressed urban high density and high demand challenges across Cambridgeshire through 5G OpenRAN deployment, AI-powered efficiency, and local use cases.
Led by Connecting Cambridgeshire on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council and delivered in collaboration with partners including AWTG, Benetel, Ontix, Gooii, Wolfram, University of Surrey, and University of Cambridge, this initiative has introduced innovative connectivity across Cambridge using smart poles and streetlight infrastructure. Together with the Smart Infrastructure Pilots Programme (SIPP), the team enabled traffic and air quality monitoring, enhanced public safety through new CCTV deployment, and supported small businesses and schools with reliable connectivity.
A standout feature includes a series of Augmented Reality (AR) experiences powered by the network, including a first-of-its-kind live concert at the Cambridge Corn Exchange streamed to AR headsets in a separate location. These interactive experiences showcase how high-performance 5G can spark creativity, promote tourism, and provide real economic benefits.
We are sincerely thankful to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and our partners for their shared vision and continued support. Projects like CORE HDD demonstrate that smart places aren’t just about infrastructure but also they’re about people. Join us at Connected Britain 2025 on September 24-25 at ExCeL London, where AWTG is proud to be a major sponsor. Visit us at Stand 113 to explore how intelligent connectivity is shaping the cities and communities of tomorrow.