Ashleigh Jordan, Vodafone business development manager and Matt Smith, RSPAWIR programme manager, with the award
The River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region (RSPAWIR) has won the Future Networks Award for Radical Breakthroughs for its work with Vodafone using the mobile network as a virtual rain sensor.
The award was presented at the UKTIN Connected Reflections event in London, which celebrated the progress of the 10 UK 5G Innovation Regions funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
The RSPAWIR is funding the project which sees Vodafone joining forces with Wireless DNA, to use its mobile network to provide more accurate rain nowcasting – short-term forecast of rainfall, typically over a timeframe ranging from a few minutes to a few hours ahead.
The partnership will use Vodafone’s mobile network as an environmental sensor to monitor rainfall using Vodafone’s network of point-to-point microwave links. Electromagnetic waves at certain frequencies are in fact sensitive to precipitation and therefore a microwave link can be used to accurately monitor rainfall levels.
This method supplements conventional systems such as radar and conventional rain gauges with a dense layer of ground-level observations.
The additional data will have the potential to provide the River Severn Partnership with insights to enhance early warning systems for flooding and improve flood defences for local residents.
Matt Smith, programme manager for the RSPAWIR, which is managed by Shropshire Council, said:-
“The RSPAWIR has innovation at its heart and the network as a sensor project, is an excellent example of this. By developing an alternative use for existing technologies we are able to help build in resilience for our communities worst affected by flooding.
“I am delighted that the Future Networks award panel recognised our innovation with the Radical Breakthroughs award.”
Andrea Dona, chief network officer, Vodafone UK, added:-
“This project with the RSPAWIR shows just how innovative our reliable, award-winning mobile network is and we are honoured to have been recognised for that.
“As a planet, we are unfortunately increasingly impacted by destructive storms and extreme weather, but by using our existing technology in new and ground-breaking ways to provide greater insight on weather forecasting we can help mitigate extreme weather events and improve the outcomes for residents who live and work in the River Severn catchment area.”
A spokesperson for the Future Networks Awards said:-
“Well done to all the projects who have showcased ground-breaking innovations, ecosystems, and the market-shaping insights within the Future Network programme.”
Notes: The RSPAWIR, managed by Shropshire Council, has been awarded £4m of funding from the Department of Science, Industry and Technology, to support the growth of wireless innovation and technology in some of its key economic sectors.
The Partnership comprises the eight English and Welsh councils that cover the River Severn catchment area including Shropshire Council, and is one of 10 UK Innovation Regions to gain funding.
The RSPAWIR will focus on accelerating the adoption of advanced wireless enabled technologies across three sectors which have particularly strong roots in the River Severn catchment area:-
Water management
Agri-tech
Public sector
