BT Group has partnered with sailing championship SailGP to deploy its 5G Standalone network slicing technology for the upcoming sailing Grand Prix in the UK.

BT, which is the official technology supplier for the event, set to take place in Portsmouth from July 19-20, will provide two dedicated network slices tailored to the event’s specific requirements.

For the event, BT is working with Ericsson, the global technology partner for SailGP, and also Nokia, to deploy several radio mast sites around Portsmouth harbour.

Network Slicing allows telecom operators to create separate and isolated networks within their wider 5G network, and each slice can be configured differently.

They require 5G Standalone (5G SA) technology to provide a protected slice of the mobile network for a specific use case.

In this instance, the network slices are being used to ensure connectivity during the event away from the public network which could become congested.

According to BT, it's the first time the telco has delivered multiple concurrent network slices at the same event.

The network slices will enable connectivity for the boats taking part, ensuring participants have always-on connectivity for voice communications, transfer of telemetry data, and on-board video.

BT is also working with Sony and its 5G live production products to trial new broadcast capabilities, such as roaming Full HD cameras, optimized for the high-capacity uplink requirements of Sony’s ultra-low-latency encoders.

Photographers at the event will be able to utilize the slice, notes BT, while point-of-sale terminals will be able to use network slicing to carry out payments in SailGP’s official merchandise shop within the SailGP Race Stadium.

“5G Standalone isn’t just about faster speeds – it’s about unlocking tailor-made capabilities that can transform customer experiences," said Kerry Small, chief operating officer, business at BT Group. "In partnership with SailGP, we’ve demonstrated this by using network slicing to streamline event operations."

A 360-degree AR/VR experience is also being showcased during the event, which BT notes will allow fans to experience what it’s like to be onboard an F50 (the boats being used).

The AR/VR experience uses higher capacity 5G radios, being tested in Portsmouth by BT and Ericsson, that will enable ultra-low-latency performance and gigabit capacity.

BT has previously deployed network slicing over EE's mobile network at Belfast's Christmas market last year.