Belfast, under the leadership of Belfast City Council, has secured £3.8 million in funding for wireless innovation from the UK Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT), making it one of the 10 designated 5G Innovation Regions in the UK.
A total investment of over £36 million is being made across the UK, including regions like Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The aim is to spur economic growth and innovation in key local sectors by leveraging the potential of advanced wireless connectivity and digital technologies.
Councillor Tina Black, Chair of Belfast City Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, expressed excitement about the funding, stating that it’s great news for the digital innovation economy. The money will support Northern Ireland’s 10X Economic Vision, fostering a decade of innovation and creating better jobs with improved wages.
Belfast is collaborating with its City Deal partners to launch the Belfast Region Wireless Innovation Programme. This initiative will aid local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and high-growth sectors like creative industries, advanced manufacturing, and transport and logistics. The goal is to implement a range of innovative projects powered by advanced wireless technologies.
Professor Liam Maguire, Chair of the Digital Advisory Board for the Belfast Region City Deal, highlighted the significance of advanced wireless technologies such as 5G in driving the local economy. The DSIT funding will be utilized to accelerate the development of innovative projects, benefiting key sectors in the region.
Sir John Whittingdale, Minister of Data and Digital Infrastructure, emphasized the government’s commitment to investing millions in local areas to unlock the potential of 5G wireless and digital technologies. The goal is to reshape public services, drive economic growth, and boost innovation across the UK.
The DSIT funding will support various initiatives in the Belfast region, including Ulster University’s Studio Ulster, Belfast Harbour’s 5G-led innovations for port operations, Translink’s use of advanced wireless connectivity for enhanced bus route operations, and Queen’s University’s application of 5G digital connectivity for the design and construction of the Factory of the Future.
Additionally, a 5G grant scheme will be introduced in 2024 to assist local SMEs in developing 5G use cases, and a 5G Enablement Programme will contribute to the growth of Northern Ireland’s advanced wireless ecosystem through outreach, engagement activities, and skills development.
The UK 5G Innovation Regions Programme, running until March 2025, aligns with the UK Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, aiming to make advanced wireless infrastructure an integral part of the UK’s economy and society by 2030.