England's Connected Heartland
Releasing untapped economic, social and environmental benefits with advanced wireless connectivity.
England’s Connected Heartland (ECH) brings together local authorities in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Central Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Oxfordshire with a mission to accelerate advanced wireless adoption across the region.
Co-ordinated by Oxfordshire County Council, we’re creating a blueprint that can be adopted throughout ECH and beyond to benefit the whole of the UK.
Projects
Projects
We’re currently engaged in two significant projects that directly contribute to regional prosperity. First, we’re establishing a framework for 5G Mobile Private Networks at Science and Innovation Campuses, with Harwell leading the way. Second, we’re developing a new commercial model for delivering passenger connectivity, starting on a section of the new track between the Bicester and Bletchley route of The East West Rail project.
Innovation Exchange
ECH is bringing together telecoms experts with potential users, sharing successful use cases of 5G, creating market demand, and helping the supply chain connect with advanced wireless buyers. Visit our Innovation Exchange page to sign up for the newsletter and find out more.
In numbers
Major projects to improve advanced wireless connectivity
Local authorities partnering together as part of the ECH 5G Innovation Region
Years to kick off our initial projects, with vast potential for further investment and projects
ECH News
Why it’s time to take real action on rural connectivity
Over nine million people in the UK live in rural areas. Yet many still lack access to reliable digital infrastructure. Read more
From Oxfordshire to the Ox-Cam Corridor – Reflections from the Creating a Scientific Superpower Conference
On 5th June, a member of the England’s Connected Heartland team attended the Creating a Scientific Superpower conference in London—a ... Read more
ECH to high-speed test new 5G network
The England’s Connected Heartland (ECH) programme team is thrilled to share we’ll be hosting a private demonstration on Monday 16th ... Read more
More from ECH
Our partners
Collaborating for impact: Co-ordinated by Oxfordshire County Council, ECH is a partnership of 10 local authorities in the heartland region. Together, we’re uncovering the benefits advanced wireless connectivity can bring.
Benefits of 5G
Private 5G networks offer advanced, tailor-made connectivity and huge opportunities to innovate; but navigating this market can be confusing. Find out more about the vast potential of advanced wireless connectivity for the Advanced Manufacturing and Transport industries.