The Liverpool City Region High Density Demand (LCR HDD) consortium, a pioneering telecommunications R&D initiative, presented its findings at the Liverpool City Region Open RAN High Density Demand Showcase.
The event brought together industry leaders, technology experts, academics, and policymakers to discuss the project's progress and impact.
Project Overview
The LCR HDD consortium conducted trials of Open RAN (Radio Access Network) technology at high-density events in the Liverpool City Region. These trials aimed to assess whether Open RAN could efficiently, safely, and securely enhance digital connectivity and infrastructure in real-world scenarios to support new applications and revenue.
The 18-month project involved a consortium of ten partners from academia, industry, and regional stakeholders.
The Showcase provided a platform to share insights, discuss challenges, and highlight key achievements.
Key Highlights from the Showcase
The event covered the following:
- Project Impact - Evaluating the performance and cost-effectiveness of Open RAN in real-world applications.
- Technology Implementation - Demonstrating how Open RAN technology was deployed, tested and adopted.
- Advancements in Telecommunications - Showcasing new developments and breakthroughs.
- Future Applications - Discussing the benefits and next steps for the project.
Attendees also had the opportunity to tour the M&S Bank Arena, where Open RAN equipment had been installed. This included a unique configuration of high-capacity radio systems at roof level-a first-of-its-kind deployment in an event venue.
Key Takeaways from the Project:
Real-World Impact
- The LCR HDD project successfully demonstrated that Open RAN technology can be deployed cost-effectively and deliver excellent performance in high-demand settings.
- The trials proved that agile, secure, and easily managed Open RAN networks could be implemented in and around Liverpool, with potential scalability to other venues.
- The technology addresses real challenges faced by the events industry, particularly in delivering reliable and flexible digital connectivity in high-density environments.
Technological Breakthroughs
- The project provided valuable learning experiences for all partners, enhancing their expertise in network deployment and performance optimization.
- Key technological achievements included:
- Millimeter Wave - Advancing the use of high-frequency signals for ultra-high speed connectivity. The project deployed the first 5G Standalone (SA) millimeter-wave (mmW)-only deployment in the UK.
- Automated Software Deployment - Reducing the cost and time to service from days to minutes.
- Development of xApps - Pioneering innovation in network applications. An industry first bridging the gap between simulation and real world environments for xApp development.
- Cost Reduction - Demonstrating a 50% reduction in computer hardware costs through supply chain diversification,
- Simulation Advancements - Creating new simulators, including a MATLAB-based simulator for venues to optimize energy consumption and a CGA simulator for real-time network environment modelling.
Skills Development & Training
- As Open RAN technology evolves, new skill sets will be required, particularly in xApp development.
- A new training course on xApps has been introduced, delivered by CGA Simulation in collaboration with Liverpool John Moores University and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
Next Steps
A comprehensive report will be published outlining the key benefits, findings, and future directions for the Liverpool City Region High Density Demand project.
Professor Joe Spencer, University of Liverpool, said:
"The Liverpool City Region HDD project was a large and complex R&D initiative that pushed the boundaries of telecommunications. Unlike traditional lab-based experiments, this project tested Open RAN in real-world settings. The consortium's flexible approach helped overcome technical and logistical challenges, and the results confirm that Open RAN technology is viable for real-world applications. I would like to thank the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) for supporting this groundbreaking research."
Andrew Miles, Project Technical Authority / Chief Architect, Telet Research, said:
"Making Open RAN work in real life is very different from demonstrating it in a lab. The project overcame some unique challenges, particularly in deploying equipment in live environments. Each trial provided valuable learning experiences, allowing us to refine and enhance Open RAN deployment strategies."
Rosemary Kay, Director at Liverpool 5G, said:
"This was an ambitious project with a tight timeline. Despite unforeseen challenges, the consortium partners collaborated effectively to deliver meaningful results."
About the Project
The LCR HDD project was funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and consortium partners, running from September 2023 to February 2025.
The Liverpool City Region Open RAN High Density Demand Showcase took place on March 12, 2025, at the Arena & Convention Centre Liverpool (ACC Liverpool).
The Consortium
The LCR HDD consortium is led by the University of Liverpool with the following partners.
Public Sector Partners:
- Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA)
- University of Liverpool
- Liverpool John Moores University
Industry Partners:
- ITS Technology Group
- CGA Simulation
- Attocore
- Telet
- Radisys
- Qualcomm
Other collaborators:
- Liverpool 5G
- Weaver Labs
- Atticus Technology
- Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Hartree Centre
- Finch Electronics
- Aro
