BT Group has announced a new partnership with the global racing series SailGP, leveraging its cutting-edge 5G Standalone network slicing technology to support operations and elevate the fan experience at the upcoming Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth on 19-20 July.
As the official technology partner for the event, which features 12 national teams competing on the Solent, BT is working alongside SailGP and Ericsson, the series’ global technology collaborator, to deliver two dedicated network slices customised to meet the event’s specific needs. This initiative aims to bolster connectivity for both operational excellence and spectator engagement, with Ericsson providing high-capacity, reliable network performance.
Network slicing employs 5G Standalone architecture to create dedicated, secure segments within the mobile network, ensuring that critical functions are unaffected by public network congestion during the event. This marks a historic milestone for BT, as it is the first time the company has deployed multiple simultaneous network slices at a single event, demonstrating the technology’s ability to facilitate seamless fan connectivity while supporting behind-the-scenes operations. Nokia has collaborated with BT to deploy the network slicing capabilities across several radio mast sites around Portsmouth harbour, with configurations set up end-to-end for optimal performance.
Powered by EE, recognised as the UK’s most reliable mobile network, BT will provide multiple dedicated slices to facilitate essential services such as boat connectivity, point-of-sale transactions, live broadcasting, and media uploads. For instance, boat communications will benefit from always-on voice, telemetry data transfer, and onboard video streaming across all 12 F50 vessels. At the SailGP merchandise shop within the race stadium, dedicated network capacity will enable swift payment processing. In terms of broadcasting, BT is working with Sony to trial new 5G-enabled live production capabilities, including roaming Full HD cameras that meet the high uplink demands of Sony’s ultra-low latency encoders, supporting a broadcast reaching 212 countries worldwide. Additionally, select photographers will benefit from instant, secure connectivity to upload images in real-time, utilising Sony’s connected camera solutions, including Alpha series cameras and the PDT-FP1.
A new feature for the UK event is the SailGP 360-degree AR/VR experience, allowing fans to virtually feel as though they are onboard an F50 — a feat made possible through high-capacity 5G radios tested in Portsmouth. These radios enable ultra low-latency performance and gigabit speeds, delivering immersive, real-time visuals.
“5G Standalone isn’t just about faster speeds — it’s about unlocking customised capabilities that can transform customer experiences. Our collaboration with SailGP exemplifies this by using network slicing to optimise event operations and bring fans closer to the action than ever before. This is a clear demonstration of how we’re evolving the UK’s best network to deliver next-generation connectivity and more immersive experiences,” said Kerry Small, Chief Operating Officer of BT Group’s Business division.
“Reviving SailGP in the UK after three years is a huge milestone, and delivering a world-class, tech-driven event is vital to its success. Partnering with BT has enabled us to push the boundaries of sports connectivity. For the first time, BT’s use of 5G standalone network slicing allows us to maintain real-time communications, telemetry, and live video feeds from the racecourse — showcasing how advanced connectivity can transform global sporting events,” said Warren Jones, SailGP’s Chief Technology Officer.
BT’s recent deployment of network slicing builds on previous projects at Wembley Stadium and Belfast Christmas Market. Since the launch of EE’s 5G Standalone network less than a year ago, coverage now extends to over 30 million people across more than 50 major towns and cities, covering over 45% of the UK population.
