MINISTER MATT WARMAN TOASTS THE START OF JET’S 5G CONNECTED COASTLINE
[Lulworth Cove, Dorset]: JET Engineering System Solutions celebrated the official launch of its first 5G-enabled buoy today, joined by Matt Warman MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Thought to be the first self-powered, floating 5G buoy of its kind in the world, it provides sea-state safety monitoring as part of 5G RuralDorset’s innovative DCMS-funded 5G research project. The buoys will be part of a system designed to provide real-time information on sea conditions, which will be able to be accessed by the Coastguard and the RNLI as well as informing digital signage, with the aim of not only preventing accidents but also informing rescue operations.
JET’s CEO and founder James Thomas accompanied Matt Warman MP out to sea to inspect the JET 5G Surf Condition Monitoring System (SCMS) buoy and discuss how this – the first of many JET 5G connected buoys – will provide high-data connectivity along the coastline of the UK, enabling step-change improvements in many areas of the growing blue economy, including:
Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman said: “5G-powered buoys could play a critical role in keeping people safe while out at sea, and are yet another example of how government-backed trials led by the country’s most talented innovators are carving out novel solutions to age-old problems using the latest mobile technology.”
“I am immensely proud of the JET team that I am able to be here today providing a first-of-kind and key component in the vital development path of 5G technologies,” said James Thomas, “Our concept of the 5G enabled mesh network to provide vital data transmission in challenging environments started in August last year, in the height of Covid-driven challenges, and here we are with our first buoy in the water, having created regional employment along the way, helping to position the UK as a global market leader in this space.
“None of this would have been possible without the backing and momentum of Matt Warman and DCMS, or the support of our partners Excelerate, 5G RuralDorset and technology accelerator BetaDen.”
JET is also providing the UK’s first 5G N28 Proven routers and modems to enable 5G connectivity across the larger RuralDorset project 5G testbed, connecting first responder vehicles and digital signs to improve safety outcomes. The network went live on 20 June 2021, with the first buoy being installed for testing on Thursday 1 July.
