Liverpool, UK – The Labour Party Conference, held at Liverpool’s events campus from September 28th to October 1st, 2025, was supported by a pioneering open source private 5G network. This network, built using Open RAN architecture, was a result of the previous Liverpool High Density Demand research and development project.
The network, known as Liverpool 5G, was a collaboration between Spry Fox Networks, ITS, and the venue’s in-house IT team. It provided secure, flexible, and high-quality connectivity for the conference’s meetings and events at the M&S Bank Arena, operated by the ACC Liverpool Group.
Thanks to the locally managed, open-source 5G technology, delegates at the conference were able to benefit from enhanced connectivity, showcasing the potential of open RAN private 5G networks in real-world use. This included the use of eSIMs and fixed wireless access.
Andrew Miles from Liverpool 5G commented, “We saw the network being used by a wide range of people and devices at the event with download speeds averaging 120Mbps. Connectivity was seamless and QR code eSIM provisioning worked well. This event underlines the value of community-owned and controlled infrastructure built with open-source components in responding to needs as they emerge.”
Stuart Waine, Director of Spry Fox Networks, also shared his thoughts on the event, stating, “This event proved the power of open, flexible 5G systems to adapt quickly to real-world needs. We gained valuable insights into performance optimisation and deployment scalability that will shape the next generation of private network solutions.”
The combination of Liverpool’s LCR Connect, the Liverpool City Region’s future-proofed, business-grade full fibre network, and 5G, has created a world-class digital infrastructure that has made the City Region a beacon of high-performance capability. This was evident during the conference, where seamless digital services were critical for its success.
Mike Goodwin, CTO at ITS, commented on this collaboration, saying, “This collaboration has shown the potent combination of LCR Connect and 5G in action. Together they create a world-class digital infrastructure that makes the City Region a beacon of high-performance capability, delivering resilient, burstable connectivity to ensure the success of major events where seamless digital services are critical.”
This initiative further solidifies Liverpool’s reputation as a UK leader in digital innovation and connectivity R&D. It also demonstrates how open, interoperable 5G systems can be cost-effectively deployed to meet the needs of events, enterprises, and communities alike.
Nicky Norman, Head of Production & IT at the ACC Liverpool Group, shared her experience working with the Liverpool 5G team and their partners at the conference. “It was great to work with the Liverpool 5G team and their partners to use this pioneering network in our arena. Having an extra, reliable way to keep delegates connected right on the arena floor made a real difference to the experience. We’re always looking for new ways to use technology to make events smoother, smarter and more engaging, and this network has opened up some exciting possibilities. We’ll be continuing to explore how 5G can help us deliver even better connectivity and experiences for everyone who comes through our doors.”
Throughout the four-day conference, the private 5G network also supported portable, battery-powered high-capacity Wi-Fi Hot-Spots on tripods, providing easily and rapidly deployed high-performance connectivity in open spaces. The high uplink capacity of 5G was particularly beneficial at this event, where uploaded media represented the bulk of user traffic. This event offered valuable insights into the performance and scalability of open source 5G technologies in live operational settings.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.