VMO2’s enterprise arm unveiled a collaboration with a government-backed regional sustainability initiative to trial a private 5G network at a UK farm, showcasing the use of advanced connectivity in powering agriculture.

Partners River Severn Advanced Wireless Innovation Region (RSPAWIR) and VMO2 Business revealed plans to launch a portable 5G network trial over a 1km area at Overbury Farm, a 1,600-hectare estate situated between Worcestershire and Gloucestershire in the UK.

RSPAWIR is a project aimed at enhancing the River Severn catchment region, the longest river in the UK and one of the ten Innovation Regions chosen by the government to accelerate 5G deployment across the country and demonstrate the technology’s application in agriculture.

The project is backed by £3.8 million in funding from the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology,

The trial will explore use cases including AI-powered camera traps for early pest detection, IoT-enabled water quality assessments and automated livestock water trough management. A 5G weather station at the site will also integrate data with forecasting models to support precise farming decisions.

Through 5G-enabled solutions, the trial aims to enhance farm efficiency, boost sustainability and improve animal welfare.

VMO2 Business stated the partnership underscores its broader strategic focus on deploying private 5G networks.

It quoted a prediction by telecoms consultancy STL Partners the value of the private network market in the UK would reach £528 million by 2028, adding there is potential to exceed this “through industry-focused applications supported by this connectivity”.