VIAVI Solutions Partners with ORBIT to Deploy Digital Twin Tech for Blackpool's Transport System

VIAVI Solutions Partners with ORBIT Consortium for Transport Innovation

On November 10, 2026, VIAVI Solutions Inc. announced its involvement in the ORBIT consortium, a project aimed at transforming public transport in Blackpool through advanced digital twin technology. This project, funded by the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Innovate UK, has a considerable budget of approximately $4.15 million. The goal is to establish a standalone non-public 5G network across Blackpool's tram and bus services to enhance connectivity and operational efficiency.

Transforming Public Transport with 5G

In recent years, the need for private 5G networks has surged due to the increasing demand for reliable and efficient public transport systems. ORBIT addresses this need by focusing on the integration and validation of a multi-vendor Open RAN (Radio Access Network) ecosystem. One critical challenge facing transport operators today is the fragmented nature of vendor offerings, which can hinder smooth interoperability. ORBIT aims to bridge this gap by providing assurances that different vendors' components will work seamlessly together, thereby creating a complete, effective solution for public transportation.

The application of 5G technology in Blackpool's public transport has far-reaching implications. Potential use cases for this new system include live streaming of CCTV footage for incident response, multimedia delivery to public transport screens, and the establishment of a network slice dedicated to operational technology communications. Such capabilities promise to make transport services not only more efficient but also significantly safer for passengers and operators alike.

The Role of Digital Twin Technology

At the heart of VIAVI's contributions to ORBIT is its Network Digital Twin technology, which leverages the TeraVM AI RAN Scenario Generator (AI RSG). This innovative approach allows for the modeling of tram and bus routes in Blackpool, simulating various traffic scenarios with high precision. By doing so, operators can test and refine control mechanisms well before actual implementation in the field. This proactive approach mitigates technical risks and helps ensure energy efficiency across the system.

Ian Langley, Senior Vice President at VIAVI, highlighted the broader applications of such technology beyond the immediate scope of ORBIT. The validation methods developed for Blackpool's transport system could be adapted to various critical infrastructure sectors, including utilities, airports, and advanced manufacturing. Langley stated, "ORBIT gives us a live reference case for applying our digital twin capabilities to network deployments across critical sectors to reduce cost and risk."

Collaborative Efforts with Local Institutions

As part of the ORBIT initiative, VIAVI will collaborate closely with several key partners, including Blackpool Council—the leading body of the project—along with the University of York and Hitachi Rail. This collaboration will involve developing live demonstrators on Blackpool's trams and buses, generating reports on system interoperability, and creating a replicable reference architecture to support the early market evaluation of assured 5G solutions.

VIAVI Solutions, a prominent name in test and measurement technologies, is committed to enhancing critical infrastructure across multiple domains. From military and aerospace communications to high-volume optical applications, VIAVI's innovative approaches have positioned them as a trusted provider in the field. In an age where digital transformation is vital for operational success, initiatives like ORBIT exemplify how technology can be leveraged to create more robust, efficient public services.

For more information about VIAVI's ongoing innovations, visit www.viavisolutions.com. Follow them on their social media platforms to stay updated on future projects and developments.