The Royal Welsh Showground near Builth Wells is a step closer towards becoming one of the best connected rural event sites in the UK.

Vodafone has become the first UK mobile operator to switch on a live Open Radio Access Network (OpenRAN) 4G site in Llanelwedd.

The development is expected to bring improved connectivity, not only for the showground but also for the wider community.

“This is an important milestone,” Scott Petty, CTO, Vodafone UK, said. “OpenRAN can also help close the digital divide between urban and rural Britain.”

With the first OpenRAN site now live, Vodafone will work to identify communities across the UK where they can more economically introduce voice and high-speed data using the new technology.

Steve Hughson, chief executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, said: “We have worked hard in recent years to improve the connectivity on site, in recognition of the need to provide a modern event venue where people can trade and communicate at speed.

“This site and further network improvements planned are key in our ambition of creating one of the best connected rural event sites in the UK.”

Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport, said: “It’s great to see the UK’s first OpenRAN site switched on here in Wales, and in a rural area.

“It will bring improved connectivity, not only for the showground but also for the wider community. It can only be of benefit to open up the network to more suppliers and I welcome this development.”

Matt Warman MP, Digital Infrastructure Minister, said: “OpenRAN gives mobile companies the flexibility to use multiple suppliers in their 4G and 5G networks. This is vital to help the market grow, build resilience and give people fast, reliable and secure internet connections wherever they live and work.”

Hosted as software in the cloud, with readily-available, low-cost hardware at the site, Vodafone says it reduces cost and enables new suppliers to support the roll-out of mobile networks across the UK. Mavenir is supporting Vodafone with the deployment at the Royal Welsh Showground.