In recent years, the rollout of 5G technology has been gaining momentum across the UK. While initial 5G coverage was limited to a few major cities, it is now becoming more widely available across the country. According to Statista, 68% of UK’s population will have access to 5G internet by the end of 2023.
The growth of 5G networks in the UK is an exciting development that will likely transform a wide range of industries. One of those being the Telecoms industry with Vodafone’s reveal of a new prototype 5G device.
The Telecommunications giant developed a portable 5G mobile network. Their goal is to make Mobile Private Networks (MPNs) more accessible in the UK and Europe.
What is the Vodafone 5G Network Prototype?
The prototype consists of a Raspberry Pi 4 computer and a 5G compatible software-defined radio (SDR) circuit board. The SDR board transforms any computing platform into a 5G base station. The resulting device can be used to extend existing networks or connect to Vodafone’s public network.
The 5G network is capable of delivering speeds of up to 1Gbps, which is significantly faster than the current 4G networks. This makes it ideal for extending coverage or providing high-speed internet in remote locations.
Why is the Vodafone 5G network prototype significant?
Vodafone has leveraged the versatility of the Raspberry Pi computer to build a 5G network that is small enough to fit in a backpack.
Vodafone has also made the software stack used in the prototype available on GitHub. Developers can experiment with and build upon it. This is a significant step towards democratizing 5G technology and making it accessible to a wider audience.
The potential of 5G technology
With the rollout of 5G networks around the world, we can expect to see a new era of connectivity and innovation. The ability to connect devices and machines in real-time with high-speed data transfer will unlock new possibilities in areas such as smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
It will also help connect remote locations, where no connectivity is available.
Conclusion
5G has the ability to connect devices and people in new and innovative ways with potential to transform industries and change the way we live our lives.
The prototype 5G network built by Vodafone on a Raspberry Pi computer is an exciting development. It demonstrates the potential of this technology. As 5G networks become more available, we can expect to see more innovative use cases and new possibilities for connectivity and collaboration.
