01 April 2025

The private 5G network at Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) Solihull site has been successfully deployed as part of the 5G Innovation Regions (5GIR) Advanced Manufacturing programme. The initiative, delivered by WM5G and funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, aims to streamline JLR’s operations, facilitating seamless, real-time data transmission that is set to transform the company’s manufacturing processes.

“This deployment is a key milestone in the project,” said Jess Ellis, 5GIR programme director at WM5G. “A huge amount of work has gone into getting the project this far—from clarifying service requirements and developing real-world use cases to coordinating installation alongside ongoing operations. We are proud of the collaborative effort that has brought this complex project to fruition.”

The Solihull site’s deployment represents the first instance in the UK of retrofitting a private 5G network in an active manufacturing environment, thereby bridging the gap between digital theory and practical application. This pioneering facility will enable JLR to test various use cases, gather essential data for business case development, and create a blueprint for broader adoption across the UK manufacturing sector.

“5G availability in our manufacturing facilities is essential as we enhance our industrial performance,” said Stephen, JLR’s digital operations director. “With the upcoming production of our next-generation electric vehicles, adopting advanced wireless technologies will improve scalability, flexibility, and resilience within our manufacturing sites.”

“Full 5G network deployment is a key milestone in realizing the benefits of smart manufacturing. The significant increases in speed and bandwidth, lower latency, and enhanced security will enable manufacturers like JLR to leverage real-time, data-driven shop-floor management,” said Duncan Hawkins, vice president of private network sales at Ericsson.

The private 5G network at JLR’s Solihull plant connects production machinery to a range of Dell edge computing devices and the Litmus Data Ops platform, fostering a more agile manufacturing environment that enhances the production of Range Rover vehicles. This setup will assist production managers in turning real-time data insights into tangible operational efficiencies.

An extension to the 5GIR Advanced Manufacturing programme was announced recently by Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.

“As a UK first for a retrofit private 5G network in a live manufacturing environment, we are delighted that it has been successfully deployed on schedule to support JLR’s digital transformation,” said Rhys Enfield, head of infrastructure acceleration at WM5G. “The lessons we’ve learned along the way will be invaluable, and the data gathered from the next stages of the programme will inform our blueprint for wider industry adoption, accelerating rollout across the UK.”