At the July 19-20 Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix, BT Group will unveil its first multi-slice 5G Standalone network slicing deployment, transforming fan engagement and race operations with ultra-low latency connectivity and dedicated data channels in collaboration with SailGP and Ericsson.
BT Group has announced a significant collaboration with the global racing championship SailGP, introducing advanced 5G Standalone network slicing technology to deliver robust connectivity and improve both operational efficiency and fan engagement at the upcoming Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth on July 19-20. For the first time at a SailGP event, BT will deploy multiple concurrent network slices, showcasing a tailored approach to managing the intense data and communication demands of the event.
At the Portsmouth event, which features 12 national teams competing on the Solent waters, BT, working closely with SailGP and Ericsson, the championship’s global technology partner, will provide dedicated network slices designed specifically for critical use cases. These include seamless boat connectivity for voice communications, telemetry data, and on-board video transfers; transaction support for point-of-sale terminals in the merchandise shop; broadcast trials with Sony using 5G live production products for an ultra-low-latency Full HD live feed to 212 countries; and instant, assured media uploads by select photographers using Sony connected camera solutions.
BT’s network slicing capability leverages 5G Standalone technology to carve out dedicated, high-performance channels within the mobile network, ensuring that congested public networks do not impact vital communications and data streams needed for the event. This implementation in Portsmouth is a milestone for BT, as it expands on previous deployments at high-profile locations such as Wembley Stadium and the Belfast Christmas market. The technology is powered through EE, the UK’s leading mobile network, now available to over 30 million people in more than 50 towns and cities.
The Portsmouth event will also introduce SailGP’s 360-degree AR/VR experience, allowing fans unprecedented immersion by virtually putting them onboard an F50 racing catamaran. This experience relies on newly tested higher capacity 5G radios from BT and Ericsson, enabling ultra-low latency and gigabit speeds that push the boundaries of live event engagement.
This collaboration continues a broader trend within SailGP, which has been at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge 5G technology to enhance racing and entertainment experiences. In early 2025, SailGP named Ericsson as its global technology supplier, advancing Private 5G solutions instrumental in managing the enormous volume of real-time data—over 53 billion data points per race day—collected and transmitted between offshore boats and on-shore teams. This data includes critical race analytics such as position, course layout, and wind direction, supporting transparent and fair competition.
Earlier collaborations with other telecom leaders further highlight SailGP’s commitment to tech innovation. In 2024, T-Mobile partnered with SailGP for the New York Sail Grand Prix, delivering 5G Advanced Network Solutions and network slicing to enhance both fan experience and on-water communications. This partnership provided real-time data transmission and immersive fan engagement, similar to BT’s deployment in Portsmouth. T-Mobile’s ongoing involvement extends to Seasons 4 and 5, showcasing action cameras mounted on F50s to deliver live point-of-view footage from the athletes’ perspectives.
SailGP’s pioneering use of 5G technology dates back to 2022, when Telefónica and later T-Mobile implemented portable 5G Standalone networks at various events, experimenting with live drone video streaming and sensor data transmission critical for on-race decision-making. These efforts established a high-bandwidth, low-latency wireless network capable of handling hundreds of thousands of data points per second, fundamental for the real-time racing analytics that define the championship.
Kerry Small, Chief Operating Officer at BT Group, highlighted that 5G Standalone technology does more than speed up data; it unlocks customised capabilities that enhance customer experiences. Speaking about the Portsmouth collaboration, Small said the network slicing solution demonstrates BT’s evolution of the UK’s best network to deliver next-generation connectivity and more immersive fan experiences. Warren Jones, Chief Technology Officer of SailGP, acknowledged the importance of this tech-driven approach, emphasizing how BT’s 5G standalone network slicing enables real-time communication, telemetry, and live video transmission, fundamentally transforming the global delivery of the sport.
Limited tickets remain available for the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix, presenting a unique opportunity for attendees to witness this fusion of high-speed sailing and cutting-edge connectivity technology firsthand. SailGP continues to push the boundaries at the intersection of sport and technology, making this an exciting moment in the evolution of live, tech-driven global sporting events.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=341192 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.ericsson.com/en/press-releases/3/2024/bt-ericsson-and-qualcomm-partner-on-5g-sa-network-slicing – In February 2024, BT Group, Ericsson, and Qualcomm Technologies Inc. demonstrated end-to-end consumer and enterprise 5G differentiated connectivity enabled by network slicing on Ericsson’s 5G Core and Radio Access Network technology in the UK. The trial, conducted at BT Group’s Adastral Park, established network slices for Gaming, Enterprise, and Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), showcasing how allocating portions of the 5G SA network to specific use-cases can maintain optimal performance for bandwidth-intensive activities like mobile gaming and video conferencing, even during peak times.
- https://www.ericsson.com/en/news/2025/1/sailgp-selects-ericsson-2025-season – In January 2025, SailGP announced Ericsson as its global technology supplier for the 2025 season. Ericsson’s Private 5G solutions are set to enhance connectivity for SailGP’s F50 catamarans and race stadiums at iconic venues worldwide. The collaboration aims to handle over 53 billion data points per race day, supporting real-time data transport between on- and off-shore teams, enabling immediate availability of data on race position, course layout, and wind direction, and promoting fair competition through data sharing.
- https://www.t-mobile.com/news/business/t-mobile-boosts-sailgp-nyc-race-with-cutting-edge-5g-solutions – In June 2024, T-Mobile and SailGP collaborated to bring an electrifying 5G experience to fans at the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix at Governors Island. T-Mobile’s 5G Advanced Network Solutions powered the event, providing real-time data transmission, enhanced fan engagement, and a new way of watching the high-speed sailing competition. The partnership included deploying 5G ANS, network slicing, and private and hybrid networks to cover both land and water, ensuring mission-critical data was transmitted in real time.
- https://www.t-mobile.com/news/business/sailgp-and-t-mobile-leverage-5g-to-improve-fan-and-athlete-experiences – In August 2023, SailGP expanded its collaboration with T-Mobile for Business for Seasons 4 and 5, spanning 2023 through 2025. SailGP leveraged T-Mobile’s 5G Advanced Network Solutions to elevate fan experience with innovative, immersive views of live race action and provide athletes with advanced on-water performance analysis. The technology powered new action cameras mounted on SailGP’s F50s, providing live point-of-view broadcast feeds to bring fans into the on-board action from the athlete’s perspective.
- https://www.telefonica.com/en/mwc/agora-2023/5g-in-extreme-sports-sail-grand-prix-cadiz-experience/ – In September 2022, Telefónica, in collaboration with SailGP, deployed one of the first portable 5G SA networks in the world during the SailGP competition in Cádiz. The initiative aimed to provide critical 5G coverage for various use cases, including streaming live drone video using Network Slicing technologies to guarantee Quality of Service and real-time transmission of thousands of data points generated by sensors on board the F50 racing boats, essential for real-time decision-making during the race.
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/tmobile/2022/08/18/sailgp-and-5g-a-winning-combination/ – In August 2022, SailGP partnered with T-Mobile to enhance its events with 5G technology. Each of the nine F50s featured 125 sensors, collectively streaming tens of thousands of real-time data points per second. This data was transmitted to the SailGP command center in the UK for processing and then sent back to the race for teams to act on. The collaboration aimed to provide an ultra-reliable, low-latency, high-bandwidth wireless network capable of handling the vast amount of data generated during the races.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is recent, dated July 15, 2025, and pertains to an upcoming event on July 19-20, 2025. The collaboration between BT Group and SailGP is a new development, with no prior reports found. The mention of previous deployments at Wembley Stadium and the Belfast Christmas market provides context but does not indicate recycled content. The press release nature of the report suggests a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. No similar content was found published more than 7 days earlier. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material is noted but does not significantly impact the freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes from Kerry Small, Chief Operating Officer at BT Group, and Warren Jones, Chief Technology Officer of SailGP, are unique to this report. No identical quotes were found in earlier material, indicating original or exclusive content. No variations in quote wording were noted.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from a press release on WebWire, a platform that distributes press releases from various organizations. While WebWire is a known distribution platform, it is not a traditional news outlet, which may affect the perceived reliability. The press release is attributed to BT Group, a reputable organization, which adds credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about BT Group deploying 5G Standalone network slicing at the SailGP event in Portsmouth are plausible and align with BT Group’s known initiatives in 5G technology. The collaboration with SailGP and Ericsson is consistent with previous partnerships in the industry. The technical details provided are coherent and feasible. The language and tone are appropriate for a corporate press release. No excessive or off-topic details were noted.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent, with no evidence of recycled content or discrepancies. The quotes are original and exclusive. The source, while a press release, is from a reputable organization. The claims are plausible and consistent with known industry developments. No significant issues were identified, leading to a high confidence in the assessment.
