BT Demonstrates Dedicated 5G Network Slicing at One of the UK’s Largest Agricultural Events

BT Demonstrates Dedicated 5G Network Slicing at One of the UK’s Largest Agricultural Events

(IN BRIEF) BT and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society are using 5G+ network slicing at this year’s Royal Welsh Show to support mobile payments, livestreaming and real-time content sharing at one of the UK’s largest agricultural events. The technology provides a dedicated and protected slice of the mobile network for specific use cases, helping maintain performance even when the public network is busy. At the Royal Welsh Show, BT’s 5G+ slice will support payment systems for Welsh food and drink companies Radnor Hills and Fire and Flank, while also helping the Show’s ambassador and digital teams livestream and upload content reliably. The deployment forms part of BT’s wider investment in Welsh digital infrastructure, which has exceeded £500 million since 2020. BT said the Royal Welsh Show is one of the first large-scale public demonstrations of how 5G network slicing can support both business-critical operations and improved customer experiences in crowded event environments.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 16-Jul-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — BT and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society are using 5G+ network slicing at this year’s Royal Welsh Show to support critical services, local businesses and real-time digital content sharing at one of the United Kingdom’s largest agricultural events.

The deployment is designed to help Welsh food and drink businesses process mobile payments during peak trading periods, while also supporting reliable livestreaming and real-time content uploads from the Showground.

BT said the initiative demonstrates how 5G+, EE’s most powerful form of 5G connectivity, can improve experiences for organisations and consumers in busy environments where mobile networks are under heavy demand.

Network slicing allows a dedicated and protected part of the mobile network to be allocated to specific use cases. This means performance for selected applications can be maintained even when the wider public network is congested.

At the Royal Welsh Show, BT is supporting multiple connections through network slicing, showing how the technology can benefit both businesses and consumers. The company said the deployment is one of the first large-scale public demonstrations of how 5G network slicing can support business-critical applications and enhanced customer experiences in a busy real-world event environment.

BT is preparing to launch its first network slicing services for customers later this summer.

For businesses, network slicing offers more predictable connectivity for operations that depend on mobile network performance. At the Royal Welsh Show, which typically attracts up to 250,000 visitors over four days, BT’s 5G+ network slice will support mobile payment systems for Radnor Hills and Fire and Flank, two independent Welsh food and drink companies.

The aim is to help traders keep queues moving, maintain customer service and continue processing sales smoothly during the busiest periods.

Chris Butler, Marketing Manager at Radnor Hills, said the Royal Welsh Show is one of the company’s most important events as both a Welsh business and a long-standing supporter of the Show.

“With thousands of visitors stopping by our stands every day, dependable connectivity for our payment systems is essential to keeping queues moving and making sure customers can quickly grab a drink and get back to enjoying their day,” said Butler.

He added that having a dedicated 5G+ network slice gives the company greater confidence that it can continue serving customers smoothly during peak periods.

David Evans, Founder and Director of Fire and Flank, said the event marks the company’s first time exhibiting at the Royal Welsh Show.

“When demand is high, the last thing any business wants is connectivity issues slowing down card payments or creating long queues,” said Evans.

He said reliable connectivity for ePOS systems helps the business serve customers quickly, deliver a strong visitor experience and focus on sharing its food with the Show’s audience.

The demonstration reflects growing demand from organisations for resilient and predictable connectivity, particularly in high-footfall and high-demand environments.

BT is also using network slicing to support the Royal Welsh Show’s digital engagement activity. The technology will help 2026 Show Ambassador Teleri-Haf Thomas and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society team livestream and upload content reliably while tens of thousands of visitors are on site.

Aled Jones, Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, said connectivity has become an increasingly important part of the Royal Welsh Show experience.

“From supporting exhibitors and traders to helping our team deliver the event safely and efficiently, reliable mobile connectivity plays a vital role,” said Jones.

He added that working with BT to showcase 5G+ network slicing demonstrates how next-generation mobile technology can support critical operations while helping share Welsh agriculture, food and rural life with audiences both at the Showground and online.

Adam Price, Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy in the Welsh Government, said high-quality digital connectivity is important for visitors and businesses at nationally significant events such as the Royal Welsh Show.

He said BT and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society have committed to ensuring the event benefits from world-class technology, with Welsh Government collaboration helping to make the deployment possible.

Greg McCall, Chief Security and Networks Officer at BT, said people increasingly expect seamless connectivity whether they are buying food and drink, sharing moments on social media or following event activity online.

“At this year’s Royal Welsh Show, we’re demonstrating how 5G+ network slicing can help deliver exactly that,” said McCall.

He added that dedicated, high-performance connectivity for specific applications can help businesses keep payments flowing, support reliable livestreaming and content uploads, and show how next-generation mobile technology can improve experiences for organisations and consumers.

BT’s 5G+ upgrades to the Showground and neighbouring mast in Builth Wells form part of its wider investment in digital infrastructure across Wales.

Since 2020, BT has invested more than £500 million in mobile and fixed connectivity across Wales, supporting faster and more resilient connectivity for communities, businesses and visitors.

The Royal Welsh Show deployment highlights how technologies such as network slicing can create new opportunities for organisations that depend on reliable, high-performance connectivity in high-demand environments.

About BT Group

BT Group is the UK’s leading provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications and related secure digital products, solutions and services.

BT Group consists of three customer-facing units: Consumer serves individuals and families in the UK; Business covers companies and public services in the UK; and Openreach is an independently governed, wholly owned subsidiary wholesaling fixed access infrastructure services to its customers – over 700 communications providers across the UK. BT has announced that International, which serves multinational organisations headquartered outside the UK and overseas public sector customers, will be contributed into a new joint venture, expected to complete in the second half of 2027.

British Telecommunications Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

For more information, visit www.bt.com/about

Media Contact:

Tеl: 0800 800 150

SOURCE: British Telecommunications