Case Study
12th March 2025
The 5G Innovation Regions (5GIR) programme is accelerating the North East’s position as a national centre of excellence for advanced wireless infrastructure use case development and adoption.
In January, we hosted the 5GIR North East Showcase, highlighting the breadth of use cases in Smart Ports, Agritech, Connected Transport, and Creative Industries, alongside the region’s diversity — home to cities, countryside, ports, seaside, and major manufacturing hubs. The seven North East local authorities have worked in close collaboration, led by Sunderland City Council, alongside industry leaders, academia, and technology providers, to ensure that innovations are not only technically sophisticated but also practical and impactful across the region.
With a clear vision and existing investment in innovation and infrastructure, our region has long been committed to harnessing technology to drive social and environmental benefits alongside economic growth. Thanks to funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), we have been able to fast-track deployment. As was noted during the event, investment in the North East is money well spent: DSIT’s funding and support has been integral to bringing the projects to life.
Across two days, key stakeholders saw how advanced wireless technology, including 5G, is delivering real-world solutions. As Liz St Louis, Director of Smart Cities and Enabling Services at Sunderland City Council remarked, the event “showcase[d] the best of the innovation that the North East has to offer.”
The 5GIR North East Showcase opened at City Hall, the headquarters of Sunderland City Council, in the heart of Riverside Sunderland. Patrick Melia, Chief Executive of Sunderland City Council and digital lead officer for the North East Combined Authority, welcomed attendees, setting the stage for two days of insights, by introducing Sunderland’s smart city ambitions and the 5GIR programme, reinforcing that “Our smart city isn’t about infrastructure, it’s about impact.”
Patrick Melia also highlighted the city’s pride in leading digital transformation while emphasising that the 5GIR projects are foundational for the entire region. By working together, the North East can replicate and scale innovation, creating a blueprint for others to follow. As he noted, “Events like this are important as we can really learn from each other”, and the region has the potential to influence digital transformation nationally and internationally.
Attendees then heard from the North East Combined Authority’s Rob Hamilton, who encouraged participants to look at the bigger picture. He stressed that digital innovation, including the 5GIR projects, must deliver real benefits to residents in the region. Digital connectivity underpins regional priorities, from inclusion and talent to innovation and economic growth, ensuring that “technology permeates across all areas of our economy” and that the North East remains at the “cutting edge” of innovation.
5G has underpinned our Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (CITS) project, enabling seamless, data-driven solutions to improve the movement of people and goods across our diverse region. Our key aim has been to harness advanced connectivity to transform transport infrastructure, making journeys more efficient, reliable, and sustainable. Funding from DSIT accelerated these plans, allowing us to rapidly deploy 5G-enabled use cases and demonstrate their potential in real-world scenarios.
Operating across the North East, the CITS project has required a uniquely collaborative approach. As Mark Wilson from Sunderland City Council’s Highways Authority outlined, the region’s transport strategy prioritises connectivity, resilience, and integration; goals that 5G helps to achieve by enabling real-time, consistent information flow and multimodal journey planning. “Identifying, testing and deploying future connectivity solutions” has been key to developing a transport network of the future that works for people and businesses in the region.
Adrian Molloy, Head of Delivery, Smart Places and Special Projects at Boldyn Networks highlighted how the deployment of 5G private networks has allowed us to test CITS technologies independently of mobile network operators. Our network of networks — including 5G, Wi-Fi, and LoRaWAN — enables highly secure, low-latency data transmission, critical for applications such as live traffic management and autonomous vehicle integration. With future potential for smart cameras, GPS tracking, and AI-driven analytics, we are opening opportunities to improve transport safety, reduce congestion, and optimising freight movements between key locations.
Simon Edwards from Newcastle University’s Future Mobility Group further emphasised the transformative potential of CITS, noting that “CITS and connected autonomous vehicles go hand in hand.” By allowing seamless communication between vehicles, roadside infrastructure, and passengers, these technologies create a more efficient and predictable transport ecosystem. Real-time data enabled by 5G connectivity can ensure that buses move more smoothly, passengers receive accurate journey updates, and disruptions are managed proactively, thereby enhancing trust in public transport and encouraging sustainable travel choices. Professor Phil Blythe of Newcastle University followed this with a discussion on future opportunities and strategy, emphasising that “the North East with its new Mayoral Authority has an opportunity to join up transport in a strategic way.”
Our focus throughout the 5GIR projects, including CITS, has always been on outcomes. As Jonathan Higgins noted, “5G has got to be useful for people,” not just a technical exercise. This project has the potential to deliver use cases that make transport in the North East more accessible, reliable, and future-ready, and lay the groundwork for a smarter, better-connected region.
The Creative Industries session at City Hall opened with Programme Manager Barney Smith outlining the 5G bid for Creative Industries and its key deliverables. Two major use cases took centre stage: the first use case explored the potential of 5G for live 360º video broadcasts to innovative display surfaces, while the second demonstrated dual-SIM 5G network broadcasting.
Marion Dixon, Assistant Director of Regulatory Services and Events at Sunderland City Council explained the creative vision and tourism opportunities that underpin the project. By positioning Sunderland as a city of transformation, we have a bold and ambitious vision to create a place that people are proud to call home: one rich in community spirit, culture, and green spaces. Sunderland’s Smart City status has provided a unique opportunity to create something different, resulting in the EXPO Sunderland Pavilion: a groundbreaking, semi-transparent immersive screen designed in collaboration with Animmersion and ArtAV.
As Marion Dixon described, the Pavilion is more than just a screen; it is an interactive digital canvas, designed to showcase Sunderland’s music, heritage, and creativity. Equipped with high-resolution 360º cameras, an advanced sound system, and real-time responsive features, it enhances audience engagement and cultural visibility. The Pavilion serves as a catalyst for attracting visitors to the city and fostering collaboration with both local and international artists. This project isn’t just about technology: it’s about blurring the lines between art, technology, and community to spark creativity and interaction. As Marion commented, “The screen is a canvas for us to use.”
The Pavilion not only positions Sunderland as a global leader in smart, creative technology; it also is a pre-cursor to Culture House Sunderland, the National Centre for Creative Smart Cities, set to open later in 2025. With the Pavilion showcasing immersive, interactive technology enabled by 5G, the screen is acting as a catalyst to draw people into the new Culture House.
Boldyn Networks’ Adrian Molloy introduced our 5G network, describing how the infrastructure supports high-speed, low-latency connectivity, ensuring that 5G-enabled cameras and immersive displays deliver seamless, high-quality content in real time.
Nick Joyce from ArtAV explained the LED screen, highlighting its semi-transparent angular design that allows it to appear invisible from inside but solid when illuminated, creating a holographic effect. With three 360º cameras, integrated sound, and two digital signage feeds, the Pavilion redefines interactive public engagement with the help of 5G. Following this, Animmersion’s Andy McAdam and Steve Corner explained how real-time interactivity, powered by advanced wireless infrastructure, unlocks new creative possibilities. From bespoke animated content celebrating Sunderland to interactive experiences like audience-driven visuals and motion-based engagement, the Pavilion is designed to captivate and inspire.
Finally, Alex Cook from PROTO Gateshead presented the second use case: 5G live broadcasting. This dual-SIM capability allows cameras to connect to two separate 5G networks, ensuring resilient, high-bandwidth live streaming. The project integrates emerging technologies such as motion capture, game engines, and AI-driven avatars, and “creating immersive experiences beyond the headset.” As Alex summarised, “We’re bringing the region together and capitalising on existing provisions.”
The session concluded with a Q&A hosted by Perform Green, followed by a live demonstration at Keel Square, where attendees saw the Sunderland Pavilion in action, with dancing students from Sunderland College broadcast onto the screen.
The second day of the 5G Innovation Regions Showcase brought attendees bright and early to Port of Tyne’s Innovation Hub in South Shields, where Jo North welcomed the group. Port of Tyne is at the forefront of digital transformation, extending its private 5G network in partnership with BT and Ericsson to achieve full site-wide coverage. This expansion will support a range of smart use cases, enabling real-time data collection and automation to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
Jo North highlighted how the 5G Innovation Regions programme is strengthening regional collaboration, aligning with the ambitions of South Tyneside Council, the North East Combined Authority (NECA), and the wider UK. She emphasised that ports across the country are undergoing a significant digital transformation, and that Port of Tyne’s vision is to become a smart, green port, where “everything is connected to everything else”, leveraging data and connectivity to drive cleaner, safer, and more efficient operations.
Mark Stoner, Chief Financial Officer at Port of Tyne, reinforced that the Port’s goals are deeply aligned with those of South Tyneside’s residents and the wider North East. He outlined how investment in infrastructure, job creation, and connectivity are central to ensuring the region remains competitive on the global stage. 5G is a key enabler, allowing the port to explore innovative use cases that could position the North East as a leader in smart logistics and green energy.
Tamsin Warren, Head of Technology and Transformation at Port of Tyne, introduced the specific 5G use cases being deployed across the port, which build upon its existing private 5G network on the south side of the Tyne. Thanks to DSIT funding, this connectivity is now expanding to the north side, including the passenger terminal, ensuring a fully integrated digital infrastructure.
Applications include road condition monitoring, where Smart devices fitted to vehicles continuously monitor road conditions, using AI to detect damage and provide real-time insights for targeted repairs. This reduces the need for manual inspections while improving overall maintenance efficiency. Additionally, 5G deployment has enabled a use case focussed on vehicle tracking and environmental monitoring: working with Envirowatch, tracking devices are being fitted to operational vehicles to monitor speed, idling, and performance. Environmental sensors will also be installed along operational routes to assess gas emissions and noise levels, helping to optimise traffic flow and reduce environmental impact. The final use case presented was AI-enhanced PPE monitoring. Existing and new CCTV feeds from across the Port of Tyne estate will be enhanced with AI software to detect PPE compliance and track movements of people and machinery in high-risk areas. This technology aims to prevent accidents, improve health and safety awareness, and inform operational changes.
Attendees also heard from BT, who provided insights into the 5G network’s architecture. Port of Tyne is the first UK port to achieve full private 4G and 5G coverage, delivering ultra-fast speeds of 10-15GBPS and supporting real-time, safety-critical operations. With DSIT funding, coverage gaps have been addressed, accelerating the deployment of 5G-enabled solutions.
The session concluded with a guided tour of the port, where attendees saw key areas of the Port such as the 5G radio tower, alongside trucks and vehicles ready for export. The tour provided valuable insight into how digital adoption is reshaping Port of Tyne’s logistics, demonstrating that 5G is not just about infrastructure, but about delivering tangible economic, social, and environmental benefits.
After an insightful morning at Port of Tyne, the showcase moved inland to Newcastle University’s Nafferton Farm in Northumberland, a mixed-use teaching and research farm specialising in dairy, beef, and arable farming. Here, attendees were introduced to agritech applications, powered by advanced wireless infrastructure, which are transforming soil health monitoring and methane emissions tracking.
James Standen, Director of Newcastle University Farms, welcomed the group and provided an overview of the farm’s research and operations. The Agritech project has introduced advanced wireless sensor technology, enabling real-time data collection on soil conditions and livestock. The key use cases explored at Nafferton Farm focused on precision soil monitoring and methane emissions tracking, both of which with the longer-term aim of improving sustainability and efficiency in UK farming.
Dr Elisa Lopez Capel of Newcastle University presented the soil sensor use case, demonstrating how real-time data is enabling new methods of soil management. Traditional soil testing is conducted every two years, but the new system accelerated by 5GIR is built on LoRaWAN-connected sensors and allows for continuous soil health monitoring. The sensors collect key data points such as soil moisture, temperature and electrical conductivity. This information is used to power an algorithm, which also uses both historical and current soil data to generate predicted soil metrics such as Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphate and Carbon. These metrics could help farmers optimise fertiliser use, improve crop yields and enhance sustainability. With 60 base soil sensors installed across two fields, the project is addressing longstanding knowledge gaps, feeding into a dashboard that will allow NU Farms to make data-driven decisions. The long-term vision is to scale up the technology, engage with more farmers, and further develop the data platform.
Mike Bower of Enable IoT provided a technical and commercialisation overview of the soil use case, emphasising that advanced wireless infrastructure turbocharges the scalability of these use cases. He explained that the sensor technology is simple, cost-effective, and easy to deploy, allowing farmers to “see effects of changes in environment and input to the soil in real time.” He also highlighted the economic potential of collaboration between academia and businesses, underscoring how these innovations can be commercialised for widespread adoption across the agriculture sector.
Dr Hannah Davis of Newcastle University introduced the methane monitoring use case, explaining its critical role in reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint. Cattle are among the largest producers of methane, accounting for around 50% of UK agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. However, current emissions data is often unreliable, as data is based on broad models rather than farm-specific measurements. Through generating accurate, farm-level data, this use case has the potential to help farmers make better-informed decisions about emission reduction strategies.
By leveraging advanced wireless infrastructure, researchers have developed low-cost methane sensors, which are now installed in the dairy parlour at Nafferton Farm. These sensors take real-time methane readings as cows feed during milking, measuring emissions every three seconds and linking the data to individual cows and their milk yield. This allows researchers to track how feed supplements, breeding strategies, and farm management practices influence methane production, providing valuable insights for both farmers and policymakers.
Attendees had the opportunity to experience a demonstration of the methane sensors, led by Professor Sam Wilson and Alex Johnston, showcasing how low-cost sensors can automate methane measurements. Accelerated by DSIT funding, the team has developed a commercially viable, scalable solution, making it feasible to equip entire dairy parlours with accurate methane tracking technology. The data is processed through a cloud-based system, allowing for real-time analysis and future integration with broader agritech solutions.
Both the soil and methane sensor use cases highlight how advanced wireless technologies have the potential to transform UK farming, providing data-driven insights that improve sustainability, efficiency, and profitability.
As the showcase concluded at Nafferton Farm, Keith Bullock, DSIT’s Major Programme Director, reflected on why the North East has been so successful in driving 5G innovation. The region’s strong leadership, collaborative approach, and clear vision have ensured that projects deliver real-world social, environmental, and economic benefits. Across four distinct projects — Connected Transport, Creative Industries, Smart Ports, and Agritech — guests saw how 5G and other advanced wireless technologies are enabling transformational potential when combined with expertise, ambition, and collaboration.
Closing the event, Liz St Louis, Sunderland City Council’s Director of Smart Cities, emphasised the North East’s commitment to digital innovation and inclusive growth. With a clear plan, strong partnerships, and world-class infrastructure, the region is positioning itself at the forefront of the UK’s 5G future.
To learn more about 5GIR projects taking place in the North East, explore our dedicated 5G Innovation Regions page.