CableFree joins UK project testing private 5G for energy networks

Wireless Excellence Ltd’s CableFree unit has joined GRID-5G, an 18-month Innovate UK project led by PNDC to validate assured private 5G on a live electricity distribution network. The work aims to give UK utilities evidence they need to procure and deploy private 5G for substations, automation and resilience.

Why it matters: - GRID-5G is aimed at turning private 5G from a pilot concept into a procurement-ready option for UK electricity networks. - The project targets communications needs that are becoming more urgent as distributed generation, electric vehicles, heat pumps and automation increase pressure on the grid. - The work is meant to help distribution network operators and other critical infrastructure owners assess security, resilience, interoperability and deployment readiness.

What happened: - Wireless Excellence Ltd, which trades as CableFree, announced participation in GRID-5G, an 18-month Innovate UK project valued at £4.01 million. - PNDC leads the project and is validating assured private 5G on a live electricity distribution network. - CableFree is supplying 450MHz and 700MHz O-RAN radios into the testbed. - Stephen Patrick, CEO of Wireless Excellence Ltd, said the project moves private 5G for utilities “from concept to proven, procurement-ready reality.”

The details: - The project is being validated on PNDC’s 11kV to LV smart grid network. - The testbed uses real IEDs, RTUs and SCADA gateways. - A 5G standalone non-public network is already deployed and operating on site. - Validation includes IEC 61850 communications, SCADA integration, fault location, isolation and service restoration, digital substation applications, and communications support for restoration and resilience use cases. - PNDC leads three of the seven work packages covering requirements, system architecture and standards alignment; testbed integration and OT validation; and programme management, dissemination and market readiness. - The consortium includes PNDC / University of Strathclyde, AWTG Ltd, Novomorphic Ltd, Ekiva Ltd, Neutral Wireless Ltd, CableFree and Energy Connect Ltd. - Digital Catapult will provide independent security and resilience assurance through its SONIC Lab. - The work complements the Assured 5G Technical Authority programme that Innovate UK has funded Digital Catapult to deliver for the wider private network ecosystem.

Between the lines: - CableFree’s focus on 450MHz and 700MHz matters because utility deployments often need deep indoor coverage, wide-area reach and strong link budgets. - The project is also designed to answer remaining questions around interoperability, independent assurance, security and operational performance. - The timing points to a broader procurement cycle, with first framework renewals aligned to mature standalone non-public network capability expected in the 2027-2029 window.

What's next: - GRID-5G will continue testing and validation through early 2028. - The project will publish a Technical Reference Architecture for distribution network operators and other critical national infrastructure users. - The output package will also include interoperability evidence, performance results and a security assurance summary. - A dedicated project page will follow, with findings, workshops and demonstration events shared as the project progresses.

The bottom line: - GRID-5G is building a real-world evidence base for private 5G in the UK energy sector, with CableFree positioned as a low-band radio supplier for critical infrastructure deployments.