BT and Ericsson join MTC to accelerate 5G adoption in UK manufacturing

Through the membership, BT and Ericsson will deploy and showcase a portfolio of 5G-enabled manufacturing demonstrations at MTC’s facility, underpinned by indoor and outdoor 5G standalone connectivity delivered through Ericsson’s Private 5G solution. BT’s advanced 5G network capabilities, Ericsson’s global leadership in 5G solutions, and MTC’s expertise in industrial innovation will enable UK manufacturers to explore, test and scale 5G-enabled production in a realistic environment.

This live end-to-end 5G environment will allow manufacturers to see applications in action, understand the business case, and work with experts from BT, Ericsson and MTC to develop proof of concepts, and shape pilots and deployments in their own factories.  

Demonstrations will showcase automated smart factory applications, including a 5G‑connected battery recycling line, predictive maintenance using connected sensors and AI analytics, and extended reality for immersive training and operational support.  

Over the next three years, BT, Ericsson and MTC will expand and refresh the demonstrations in line with the industry's shift to increasingly autonomous, software-driven, intelligent factories, ensuring the work remains tightly aligned to the UK's industrial priorities. 

Commenting, Joe Darlington, director of Engineering at MTC, said: "Advanced and reliable connectivity is fundamental to allowing digital systems to work together seamlessly on the factory floor. By welcoming BT and Ericsson into our membership, we can give industry an ideal environment to explore, trial and adopt 5G solutions, helping UK manufacturers to leverage digital technologies and harness them to enhance productivity and business growth."

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