- Virgin Media O2 Business and River Severn Partnership kick off a 5G farming trial at Overbury Farms.
- New trial leverages AI, sensors, and private 5G network to improve farming efficiency, crop protection, and environmental monitoring.
What happened: VMO2’s 5G trial at Overbury Farms
Virgin Media O2 Business (VMO2) has launched an innovative 5G trial at Overbury Farms, located at the border of Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, in collaboration with the River Severn Advanced Wireless Innovation Region (RSAWIR). The initiative aims to showcase how 5G connectivity can transform farming practices by enabling more efficient crop management and environmental monitoring.
The trial takes place over a 1-kilometer area of the 1,600-hectare farm and uses a portable private 5G network to demonstrate cutting-edge technologies in agriculture.
This collaboration builds on Overbury Farms’ longstanding reputation as a leader in digital farming, with the estate already utilizing connected tractors, IoT-enabled weather stations, and real-time data analytics to improve productivity. The new private 5G network is designed to facilitate AI-enabled pest monitoring, environmental sensors, and real-time data collection from various sources on the farm, setting the stage for a “connected farm of the future.”
With the help of the 5G network, Overbury Farms will implement advanced technologies like AI-powered camera traps to monitor pests such as cabbage stem flea beetles, aphids, and ladybirds. Additionally, remote sensors will assess local water quality and track weather parameters like soil moisture, temperature, and wind speed, all contributing to more informed farming decisions.
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Why it’s important
This 5G trial at Overbury Farms is an important step forward in demonstrating the potential of advanced connectivity in transforming agriculture. By deploying a private 5G network, the trial helps address the limitations of rural connectivity, which has long been a challenge for farmers.
The new network allows for real-time data collection, early detection of agricultural pests, and optimized resource management, all of which can significantly improve farm productivity and environmental sustainability.
The trial also highlights the potential for AI-driven solutions in agriculture, such as automated pest monitoring and precise weather-based predictions. These innovations could help farmers reduce costs, minimize the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and ultimately increase crop yields while maintaining ecological balance.
Moreover, the collaboration between VMO2 and RSAWIR could set the groundwork for future farming trials across the UK, potentially boosting the country’s agricultural industry and economy.
