Exploring how 4G LTE and 5G can truly connect rural communities.
Rural communities shouldn’t have to settle for poor mobile service. Yet while cities enjoy ultra-fast 4G LTE and 5G, basic connectivity often remains out of reach in the countryside. This event at Newnham College, University of Cambridge brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to tackle this challenge head-on.
What’s on the agenda:
- Coverage vs. capacity: Moving beyond “just coverage” to deliver meaningful connectivity in towns, counties, and remote areas.
- Innovative infrastructure: From cell sites to fibre alternatives like wireless backhaul (terrestrial point-to-point microwave radio or possibly satellite communications) and emerging direct-to-device LEO satellite solutions, what really works, and where?
- Rural realities: Defining service expectations, tackling train and transport connectivity, and understanding how deployment differs from urban areas.
- Collaboration: How government, local authorities, and industry can work together to create practical, environmentally sensitive solutions.
Why attend?
- Explore the latest technologies and deployment strategies.
- Debate the realities, limitations, and opportunities of rural connectivity.
- Network with peers in a historic Cambridge setting.
- Be part of the conversation shaping a fully connected United Kingdom.
Following this event all delegates are invited to join the CW Founders Dinner drinks reception, which is being held in the same location. The Founders Dinner is an invitation-only event and offers business networking opportunities for Founder member organisations within the CW network.
Speakers
Bryn Jones
Gary Littledyke
Sarah Marsh
Peter Morrell Brown
Ben Roome
Professor Andy Sutton MBE
Mobile Networks SIG Champions
Iris Barcia
Iris Barcia is a multidisciplinary professional with entrepreneurial experience in the telecommunication industry. She is an innovator and forward-looking technologist that has worked directly with international executive teams and engineers at Tier 1 network operators, network infrastructure vendors, neutral-host vendors, government organizations, and services companies. She has been involved in the proposal and assessment of novel HetNet strategies for nation-wide 4G, 5G, IoT and public-safety networks, with a focus on future capacity provision and multi-technology evolution. More recently she’s focusing on Open RAN and MPNs. Prior to Vodafone, Iris has been the co-owner and COO of Keima, and has worked on RAN design, optimization and deployment projects at Telefonica and European rural broadband wireless initiatives. She has a BSc and MSc in Telecommunication Engineering from the University of Vigo (Spain) and an MBA from Cardiff Metropolitan University (UK).
- Twitter:
- @IBTwi
Julie Bradford
Julie has worked in the wireless industry for over 20 years. She has held a member elected place on the Cambridge Wireless (CW) board since 2022, is a champion for the newly formed Mobile Networks Special Interest Group (SIG) and was formerly a champion for the Virtual Networks SIG as well as the conference chair for CWIC 2021 and 2022.
At Real Wireless, she is a thought leader in business case analysis for wireless infrastructure including understanding emerging use cases, quantifying the operational, socio-economic and environmental benefits of enhanced wireless services and understanding network dimensioning and cost implications under different architecture options (including network virtualisation and slicing, public vs private mobile and shared vs dedicated infrastructure).
Julie currently leads Real Wireless’ involvement in the European Sustainability Lighthouse project, SUSTAIN-6G. Working alongside tier 1 European vendors and operators, this includes leading the development and application of frameworks for evaluating sustainability in 6G covering the dimensions of economic, societal and environmental sustainability with each of these considered from the perspectives of both direct infrastructure and device impact and indirect implications from usage of wireless (particularly in the smart energy, healthcare and agriculture sectors).
Julie has also worked with clients to understand the impact of investment in wireless infrastructure to their region or business, including local authorities (such as Belfast City Council), neutral hosts and transport hubs.
Prior to joining Real Wireless, Julie was Communications Engineer at QinetiQ UK, consultant at PA Consulting UK, and Senior Systems Engineer for Airvana UK.
Simon Fletcher
Simon joined Real Wireless in January 2016 as Chief Technology Officer, taking overall technical and innovation strategy responsibility across the company. He is a member of the UK5G AB, co-chair of the International WG, and member of the Climate WG. His long-standing association with the UK innovation eco-system through roles such as Director of mVCE and the Innovate-UK ICT-KTN brings a wealth of practical knowledge on open innovation to accelerate product and services delivery. Simon spent his formative years in telecoms infrastructure systems and product development. In NEC Corporation he played a key role in the formation of Joint Ventures for development of 3G and 4G products and established a core team that developed the first-generation of technology for 4G systems culminating in a Steering Board position in the LTE SAE Trials Initiative (LSTI). In recent times he has directed projects on future cities, the application 5G and IoT in industry verticals with an event horizon towards 2030. His long participation in Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) and then directing Real Wireless engagement in H2020 and the 2016 NIC study on Future Comms infrastructure brings great foresight on a range of architectural evolutions underway in 5G architectures, in particular for Open RAN and Diversification. He is a CW Small Cell SIG Champion, and in February 2022 the Small Cell Forum (SCF) appointed Simon as their Chief Strategy Officer, drawing on 25 years direct industry experience and work as an advisor to governments, regulators and big business.
- Twitter:
- @fletch_sc
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/simoncfletcher
Caroline Gabriel
Caroline has been engaged in technology analysis, research and consulting for 30 years and since 2002, has been focused entirely on mobile and wireless. As co-founder and research director of Rethink Technology Research, Caroline has developed a significant research base and forecast methodology, based around deep contacts with mobile and converged operators round the world. This addresses critical issues and trends in mobile and wireless infrastructure, and particularly operator deployment intentions for 4G, 5G, small cells, Cloud-RAN and other technologies. She is also a senior contributor to Analysys Mason’s Next Generation Wireless research programme. She has led research and consulting projects with a wide range of clients, including mobile infrastructure vendors, large and start-up operators, regulators, trade bodies, government agencies and financial institutions. Her advice and forecasts have helped inform strategic decisions at a wide range of vendors, operators, start-ups and finance houses. Prior to setting up Rethink, Caroline held various executive positions at VNU Business Publishing BV, then Europe’s largest producer of technology related B2B reports and publications. She was the European content and research director, and was a member of the leadership team for VNU’s online business. She holds an MA from the University of Oxford.
Roberto Kompany
Roberto is a member of Analysys Mason’s Telecoms Software and Networks research team and is the lead analyst for the Next-Generation Wireless Networks programme focusing on strategy and market research. He is also a Cambridge Wireless Special Interest Group (SIG) mobile broadband champion. Prior to joining Analysys Mason, Roberto worked for Dixons Carphone, where he analysed the effect on the business of shifts in the telecoms market – for example, in terms of mergers, operator KPIs and technology – in Europe and the UK. Previous positions included consultancy, where he helped a variety of clients worldwide with mobile-related projects, such as a capex reduction and developing a 5-year strategy for an incumbent’s wireless infrastructure. He started his career at a leading network equipment vendor, where he served in several different capacities, such as R&D, and deployment and optimisation of mobile infrastructures across multiple continents. Roberto holds an MSc in Mobile & Satellite Communications from University of Surrey and an MBA from IE Business School.
- Twitter:
- @RobertoKompany
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertokompany/
Peter Love
I am an experienced leader of diverse sales teams and a trusted advisor for Cx0/CxO-1 leaders. Educated with Six Sigma Yellow Belt, ITIL v3, and with a PMP certification, my skillset lies in my ability to excel in global project delivery, demystify complexities, and handle challenges with tenacity and good humour. I am committed to fostering industry dialogue and have chaired telecoms forums and acted as Special Interest Group champion to drive collaboration and impact. My career has spanned global strategy, operational development, geographic management, and consumer electronics, maintaining an 80:20 balance between sales and operations.
Vicky Messer
Vicky Messer is VP of Product Management at RANsemi with over 30 years of experience in product management, product marketing, research and development in the technology sector, primarily wireless. Vicky currently leads product management, technical marketing and partership activities at RANsemi, and is a work item lead and board member of Small Cell Forum (SCF).
Vicky was awarded the SCF ‘Outstanding Individual Contribution to SCF award’ in 2020, the SCF Industry Award 2023 for Women in Wireless and the Electronics Weekly Women of the Year (Design Focused) award in 2024.
Vicky is a certified IET registration mentor, and currently mentors a local young female engineer. In May 2023 Vicky joined Industrial Advisory Board Bath University Electronics and Electrical Engineering.
- Twitter:
- @VickyMesser1
- Website:
- ransemi.com/
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickymesser/
Andrew Palmer
Andrew has more than 33 years of experience in IT, Telecoms and TV and Media, having worked in various roles for IBM, AT&T, Ericsson, Motorola and Arris. Andrew's present role is to leverage existing CGI capabilities that match the needs of our clients in the Space, Defence and Intelligence sectors, as well as building new capabilities that will support the emerging and changing needs of our client base. Andrew has proven experience in developing and delivering complex SI and Services solutions that meet both business and technology needs. Andrew has co-authored "UK Telecoms For Dummies", an essential guide to the complicated UK Telecoms sector as well as articles for publications such as the Cambridge Wireless Journal including "How do we build the new world of 5g?". He frequently speaks at conferences and provides media commentary on industry topics like 5G, IoT and Smart Cities, as well as being a member of the techUK Spectrum Policy Forum and the Cambridge Wireless Virtual Networks Special Interest Group.
- Twitter:
- @AndrewPalmerCGI
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpalmercgi/
Dr Neil Piercy
Neil has been developing base stations for various communications systems for over 30 years, during which time he has performed roles throughout the whole development lifecycle, as well as management roles. Neil joined the small cell specialist company, ip.access, when it was formed as a spin-off from TTP Com back in 2000, and stayed with the company for 23 years, during which time his roles varied from System Architect through to Head of Engineering. As a Systems Engineer covering software, hardware, and RF, he includes specialist areas such as security and networking, as well as a focus on all aspects of protocol design and implementation. He has analysed system performance and performed simulations across GSM, UMTS, LTE and NR small cell RAN equipment and systems. He is now a freelance telecoms Systems Engineering consultant.
Prof Simon Saunders
Prof. Simon Saunders is an independent advisor and researcher with deep industry and academic background in communication systems technology and a burgeoning interest in the intersection between real and artificial neural systems, communication systems and music. He is a Visiting Professor at King’s College London, telecoms advisor to DCMS and Trustee of the charity Music for All. Simon is a specialist in the technology of wireless communications, with a technical and commercial background derived from senior appointments in both industry (including Google, Motorola and Philips), academia (University of Surrey, Trinity College Dublin) and regulation (Ofcom). He founded the Small Cell Forum and chaired this industry association from 2007-12, growing membership to 150 companies and working with 3GPP to create the first standards for small cells. He acted as Director of Emerging & Online Technology for Ofcom, leading Ofcom’s Emerging Technology programme and creating their Online Tech team. At Google (2015-20), he worked with operators globally to enhance wireless connectivity via a range of advanced technology initiatives, combining wireless networks, artificial intelligence and network virtualisation. As co-founder and Director of Technology for independent wireless strategy advisory firm Real Wireless (2006-15), he was responsible for overall technical capability and direction, providing independent wireless expertise and advice to operators, regulators, technology and law firms and wireless users. In 2019 Simon organised the world’s first 5G music lesson on behalf of charity Music for All, led by famous musician Jamie Cullum. He is an author of over 150 articles, books and book chapters, including a popular textbook on antennas and propagation. He has invented over 15 patented wireless technologies and served on technical advisory boards of several companies and universities.
- Twitter:
- @simon_saunders
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonsaunders/
Professor Andy Sutton MBE
Andy Sutton is a BT Fellow and Principal Network Architect for Wireless Access. The wireless access domain includes 4G/5G RAN architecture and mobile backhaul/xhaul, along with microwave and millimetre wave radio systems, and satellite communications. Andy holds an MSc in Mobile Communications from the University of Salford and has over 35 years of experience within the telecommunications industry. Andy’s current research interests include advanced RAN coordination techniques, including C-RAN and OpenRAN, optical fibre and radio based backhaul/xhaul, along with LEO satellite communications and High-altitude Platform Systems (HAPS), all in the context of building resilient heterogeneous networks. Andy holds the post of Visiting Professor of Telecommunications at the University of Liverpool and the University of Salford, he is a Chartered Engineer and holds Fellowships from the IET, ITP and BCS. Andy sits on the editorial board of the ITP Journal and is a CW SIG Champion for eMBB and Wireless Heritage.
- Twitter:
- @sutton960
Paul Rhodes
Paul has a B Eng in Communications Engineering from University of Hull and worked in the wireless industry internationally for over 30 years. At Evolved Networks he is responsible for RAN and Open vRAN Public and Private network architecture, strategy. He has deployed 4G and 5G small cell networks in both classical architecture and as dark-fibre disaggregated RAN networks and is currently refining the technical and cost implications of centralised classic and virtualised networks. During his career Paul has worked in Telco Vendors and Infrastructure Providers, significantly for Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung, CityFibre and World Wide Technology in Technical and Commercial roles in both Europe and North America. He is also an Expert Working Group Member in Wireless Networking at UKTIN.
