User Equipment (UE) for the LCR 5G High Density Deployment Trials

1.2 Project Information The Liverpool City Region High Density Deployment (LCR HDD) project is going to deploy 5 O-RAN based private 5G Standalone networks in and around Liverpool throughout 2024 to test and optimise the network performance. In order to achieve this, we require a large number of compatible user equipment (UEs) that will be used to evaluate and optimise the network performance. The call covers the procurement of the UEs only and, in this context, we are looking for approximately 1500-2000 handsets, along with around 500 MiFi routers and various additional devices. Please see below for more information. 1.2.1 The LCR HDD Project LCR HDD is the latest project for the Liverpool 5G consortium (https://liverpool5g.org.uk/). Funded by Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the project runs from September 2023 to March 2025. The project consortium is led by the University of Liverpool Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, in partnership with Telet Research (N.I) Ltd, Qualcomm Technologies International Ltd, Radisys UK Ltd, Attocore Ltd, iTS Technology Group, Asset Market, Liverpool John Moores University, CGA Simulation Ltd and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Other consortium members include Liverpool 5G, Atticus Technology, the Hartree Centre, Weaver Labs and Aimes. The Liverpool City Region HDD project aims to showcase the benefits of Open RAN (Open Radio Access Network) technology in optimising real-world network performance in high-connectivity environments. Open RAN is seen as a way to enhance the UK's connectivity infrastructure by enabling networks of low-cost, power-efficient, and unobtrusive small cells to meet the demand of high-density areas. The Liverpool City Region HDD project will test the Open RAN technology in a simulated environment before trialling it at five test bed sites across the region, including a mixture of indoor and outdoor sites with a variety of uses, to see if the new HDD network can easily, safely and securely provide connectivity to high numbers of users in the same environment. The project emphasises collaboration with national and private networks to understand their needs and encourages participation through trials in a controlled environment. The focus is on delivering competitive solutions with 5G technology and simulation, providing workable models for the adoption of Open RAN in the UK. We therefore aim to quantify and explicitly demonstrate the benefits to mobile communications markets and overcome challenges in assuring local authorities and asset owners of sustained economic and social benefits. The project team plans to showcase agile, easily managed, and secure networks in and around the Liverpool region.

1.2.3 The 5G deployments Deployments at 5 venues around the Liverpool City Region including stadia and large public spaces. The deployments will be designed to sit alongside and enhance the current connectiv...