Boldyn Networks has brought private 5G into West Sussex farming, targeting livestock monitoring. The deployment supports near real-time visibility inside livestock buildings. It forms part of Growing Sussex, a public sector-led programme for rural innovation.
The project involves West Sussex County Council, Boldyn Networks, and agritech firm Pneumonitor. Together, they connect Pneumonitor’s environmental monitoring device to a private 5G network. Farmers can then track conditions directly inside livestock pens.
At the centre sits RedCap, short for Reduced Capability. This 5G standard supports simpler, lower-power connected devices. It sits between basic sensors and full 5G equipment. That makes it useful for farms needing reliable data without heavy hardware.
The system can monitor livestock buildings during heatwaves and other weather events. These periods create serious pressure for farmers and animals. Faster data can help farmers act before conditions become dangerous. That may improve animal welfare and reduce operational risk.
However, rural technology projects still face practical hurdles. Farms need coverage, usable devices, and clear returns on investment. Farmers also need tools that fit daily routines. If equipment becomes complex, adoption may slow.
Even so, private 5G offers important advantages for agriculture. It can deliver more reliable local coverage than public mobile networks. It can also keep data flowing in areas with patchy service. For remote buildings, that stability matters.
Cllr Yvonne Gravely, Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills at West Sussex County Council, said: “Agriculture plays a vital role in West Sussex, but periods of extreme weather are creating new challenges for the sector.
“Through Growing Sussex, we’re helping growers and food producers use technology to better understand changing conditions, protect animal welfare and build resilience for the future. That’s good for local businesses, good for our rural economy and good for West Sussex.”
Gearoid Collins, Commercial Director, Real Estate, Enterprise & Wind Farms at Boldyn Networks, added: “As the connectivity partner for Growing Sussex, we’re committed to helping shape a new era for agriculture and deploy technologies that bring a welcome boost to the West Sussex economy.
“Connecting Pneumonitor through RedCap shows how private 5G can support practical agritech and provide the digital foundation for many more connected applications across the farming sector.”
This launch also shows a wider telecom trend. Private mobile networks are moving beyond factories, mines, and ports. Farms now appear as serious candidates for dedicated connectivity.
For telecom engineers, the message is clear. Simple, focused 5G deployments can unlock new use cases. The strongest value may come from practical problems, not headline speeds.
