5G Construction Quick Easy Sustainable Technology (5G-CONQuEST)

Construction has not seen productivity improvements common to other industrial sectors. The sector is responding to this, aiming to optimise the productivity of the end-to-end process via digitalisation, automation and off-site manufacturing. On-site construction presents a unique, challenging environment but opportunities for digitalisation and automation occur from day one. High-speed, low latency digital connectivity is key to ensure that these digital solutions can be fully and effectively deployed. 5G networks have the potential to enable this connectivity.

However, construction projects are often delivered in geographically 'remote' locations or in urban contexts where connectivity (digital, power and other utilities) are not in place at the start of on-site work. The location of activity can also move as project work progresses (e.g. linear infrastructure; roads, rail, sea defences). The need for continuous, high quality data connectivity in these situations presents a major challenge for construction contractors.

'5G-CONQuEST' addresses this challenge, providing an innovative plug-and-play solution that can be readily tailored to the needs of a specific site, delivering full 5G coverage from the outset with 'green' power generated in-situ. Once activity is complete it can be easily removed and installed at another location. It will be robust enough for use in the often-harsh environment of on-site construction.

The project will be led by UK SME Glideology (system integrator), supported by SMEs Attocore (5G core) and Leading Edge (off-grid energy), with leading construction contractor BAM and the Building Research Establishment (BRE).

5G-CONQuEST will accelerate the development and uptake of an 'ecosystem' of digital solutions aimed at construction (e.g. autonomous surveying, remote visualisation and teleoperations solutions) that improve both productivity and on-site safety. It will support UK 5G component supply chains.