As you may know, 5G RuralFirst is a co-innovation project led by Cisco alongside principal partner University of Strathclyde and a consortium of other partners from across business, government, and academia. Our first goal was and is to create rural test-beds and trials for 5G wireless and mobile connectivity across three main sites in the Orkney Islands, Shropshire, and Somerset.

We’ve spent the last 10 months exploring the value and viability of connecting some of the most remote areas in the UK, as well as testing out solutions for the farms of the future.

The project has illuminated some of the biggest challenges facing the UK’s digital divide and proven the case for supporting businesses and communities in hard-to-reach areas.

Beyond the City will include a showcase of everything we’ve achieved on the 5G RuralFirst project, as well as an opportunity to hear about the vital lessons we’ve learned and what’s next for the solutions developed at our test bed sites.

The day will include a mix of talks, panels, and live demonstrations from delegates including Cisco, the University of Strathclyde, the BBC, Orkney Council, Harper Adams University and more.

We hope to see you in Scotland!

Agenda for the day

• Opening remarks

Nick Chrissos Head of Innovation EMEAR, Cisco

• Theme Presentation: Iot & 5G

Stephen Speirs, Product Management Leader, Customer Experience, Cisco

• Introduction to panels

Ian Smith, Programme Director - 5G Testbeds and Trials, DCMS

• Panel: Shropshire/Somerset trial discussion

Chaired by Ian Smith, Programme Director - 5G Testbeds and Trials, DCMS

Drones, autonomous tractors and connected cows! Our panel takes a look at what we learnt from the trials and what’s next

• Presentation

Mansoor Hanif, CTO, Ofcom

• Theme Presentation: Spectrum Sharing

Dr David Crawford, Senior Knowledge Exchange Fellow, University Of Strathclyde

• Panel: Orkney trial discussion

Chaired by Ian Smith, Programme Director - 5G Testbeds and Trials, DCMS

From smart salmon farming to AR tourist attractions, the panel looks at the impact of the trials in Orkney

• Theme Presentation: Cost of deployment

Dez O’Connor, Business Development Manager, Cisco

• Closing remarks

Nick Chrissos Head of Innovation EMEAR, Cisco

• Networking/Demos

Get a chance to meet with the different partners from the project, alongside taking part in live demos of the technology