Birmingham hosts the UK’s first ever train station to trial 5G technology

Birmingham New Street has become the first UK train station to live test 5G mobile technology.

Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, tested the region’s new technology on the New Street concourse. Passengers at the station were also invited to test 5G speeds using a 5G router.

When compatible 5G handsets and devices arrive later in 2019, commuters in busy locations will be able to load a web page or a video instantly. Thanks to super low latency, they will be able to stream a movie or download a work file over 5G seamlessly without buffering or lag. Vodafone – the first company to live test 5G in Birmingham – is rolling out 5G to a number of key commuter locations across the UK, and will switch on the new network in 19 towns and cities, including Wolverhampton, by the end of 2019.   

Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, said: “I am delighted that Vodafone has brought 5G to Birmingham and that New Street is the UK’s first 5G-enabled rail station. I believe the West Midlands 5G project will enable our public transport, businesses, hospitals and universities to explore new services and stay ahead of their competition.” 

Live testing is now also taking place at a number of sites across the city. The sites are all connected to Vodafone’s multi-billion-pound single optical fibre converged network, which is already providing customers with fast 4G mobile, home broadband, Internet of Things (IoT) technology and business services.

Anne Sheehan, Director of Vodafone Business, said: “We are delighted to bring 5G to the West Midlands, giving businesses, residents and visitors fast and reliable connectivity even in exceptionally busy locations such as train stations and airports. 5G will enable new applications and experiences and support the development of connected cities and smart transport solutions. It will help businesses to implement emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, IoT and robotics. We look forward to continuing to work with Andy Street and his team to deliver the vision of a more prosperous and digitally-connected region.”

The West Midlands Urban Connected Communities 5G Project (UCC), initiated and jointly funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), will create the UK’s first region-wide 5G test bed and will roll out later in 2019.

Leader of Birmingham City Council, Councillor Ian Ward, said: “The West Midlands wants to lead the way in 5G and this is an exciting step forward. 5G will help us supercharge the West Midlands economy; and the possibilities for businesses, individuals, investors and innovators are huge.”