Airspan Networks has announced AutoAir, a 5G testbed for connected and autonomous vehicles as part UK’s £25M 5G digital strategy. The company is part of “AutoAir” consortium, a neutral host based small cell solution for transportation networks in the UK. AutoAir is an ambitious project that will accelerate the development and deployment of two key technologies in the UK, namely 5G and CAVs.

The AutoAir project brings together a large number of 5G players and the pioneering research at Surrey University’s 5G Innovation Centre (5GIC). The project consortium includes; 5GIC at Surrey University, Dense Air Limited, McLaren Applied Technologies, Blu Wireless Technology Limited, Quortus Limited, Millbrook, Real Wireless, ARM, Cobham Wireless, and Celestia Technologies.

The initial application will focus on delivering pervasive 5G connectivity at the Millbrook Proving Ground that will enable CAV developers and research companies to accelerate their testing. The network will operate at Millbrook and allow access to existing Mobile Operators on a shared / neutral host basis.

AutoAir will reduce the time to market for Airspan’s next generation of 5G products and services and builds on the 4G small cells with integrated access and backhaul in sub 6GHz and mmWave frequency bands that Airspan sells today.