Connecting Cambridgeshire is celebrating a double win at the Connected Britain Awards 2025 on Wednesday 24 September, taking home both:

• The Smart Places Award for the Cambridgeshire Open RAN Ecosystem (CORE) project consortium, and
• The Rising Star Award for Will Plant, the prgramme’s Digital Inclusion Lead, who has also been named in the #NextGen10 Class of 2025.

The Smart Places Award recognises the Cambridgeshire Open RAN Ecosystem (CORE) project consortium and its groundbreaking work to deliver the UK’s first city-centre pure Open RAN small cell network. The collaboration, led by Connecting Cambridgeshire on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council with partners AWTG, Benetel, Ontix, Gooii, Wolfram and the University of Surrey, with support from the University of Cambridge and Cambridge City Council, is helping to shape the future of mobile connectivity through open, collaborative innovation.

Will Plant’s Rising Star Award celebrates his outstanding leadership in digital inclusion across Cambridgeshire. Since joining the programme in 2023, Will has led the development of a county-wide Digital Inclusion Strategy, built cross-sector partnerships, and delivered real impact for vulnerable communities – including the rollout of 10 new Digital Hubs in Peterborough’s most deprived areas.

Sarah Marsh, Head of Digital Connectivity, Connecting Cambridgeshire, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to win both awards we were shortlisted for at the Connected Britain Awards. It’s a huge recognition of the innovation and dedication across our programme and a testament to the power of collaboration across local government, industry, and academia.

“Our Cambridgeshire Open RAN Ecosystem project shows what’s possible, using government funding from DSIT, working together to deliver innovative digital solutions that benefit our communities, businesses, and public services.

“I’m especially proud of Will Plant, whose passion and leadership in digital inclusion are truly inspiring. Will has a rare ability to combine strategic thinking with deep empathy, and his work is already changing lives. He’s not just a rising star – he’s a force for good in the sector, and we’re very lucky to have him on the team.”

Will Plant, Digital Inclusion Lead, Connecting Cambridgeshire said: “Digital inclusion underpins everything we do as a local authority programme. It’s an incredible honour to be recognised as a Rising Star and part of the #NextGen10. This award reflects the collective effort of so many partners and communities working across Cambridgeshire to close the digital divide.

“Our mission is to ensure everyone can benefit from digital connectivity, regardless of their background or circumstances. I’m proud to be part of a team that’s committed to tackling digital exclusion and building a more inclusive, connected future for our region by putting inclusion at the heart of everything we do.”

These awards are a testament to the power of partnership and the shared ambition of Connecting Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire County Council and the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority to create a smarter, more inclusive digital future for Cambridgeshire.