- BT Group trials 5G Standalone network slicing at Belfast Christmas Market, enhancing mobile payment efficiency.
- The trial demonstrated how 5G slicing can improve transaction speed and reliability, benefiting businesses and customers.
What happened: 5G slicing trial enhances mobile payments
BT Group has successfully tested 5G Standalone (SA) network slicing for the first time in a real-world scenario at the Belfast Christmas Market. The trial took place at Lavery’s Beer Tent, one of the market’s busiest areas. During the two-week test, a dedicated slice of EE’s 5G network supported eight mobile payment terminals, ensuring superfast transactions even during peak times. This marks the first use of a partitioned slice from EE’s public network combined with a live 5G Standalone core for business applications.
Network slicing, launched by BT Group in September 2024, provides businesses with a dedicated ‘slice’ of the 5G network. This slice ensures reliable performance, reducing network congestion, increasing speed, and lowering latency. The technology promises to revolutionise mobile transactions, making them faster and more reliable, especially in high-demand environments like the Christmas Market.
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Why it’s important
The success of this trial highlights the potential of 5G network slicing to enhance customer experiences in busy public spaces. As mobile payments become more widespread, businesses need dependable, high-speed connectivity to ensure smooth transactions. The dedicated 5G slice provided by BT Group allowed for fast and reliable payments at the Belfast Christmas Market, supporting both vendors and customers.
With over 1.2 million visitors attending the market annually, the ability to maintain consistent connectivity during peak times is crucial. This trial demonstrates how 5G SA network slicing can provide certainty and enhance customer satisfaction. The technology’s potential to support businesses in crowded, high-demand environments positions it as a key innovation for the future of mobile commerce.
BT Group’s investment in this future-proof infrastructure further strengthens Belfast’s position as a hub for world-class wireless connectivity, paving the way for more widespread applications of 5G slicing in other cities and industries.
