The UK government, led by The Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale OBE MP and John Lamont MP, has allocated a £36 million fund to drive innovation through 5G technology across ten regions, spanning from Glasgow to the West Midlands. The initiative, known as 5G Innovation Regions (5GIRs), aims to accelerate advancements in public services, sustainable farming, road safety, and more.
The newly introduced Digital Infrastructure Advisory Group will play a crucial role in supporting regions to adopt 5G and other advanced wireless technologies, ensuring the successful integration of these innovations.
Local areas across the UK stand to benefit significantly, with the implementation of technologies such as drones for agricultural monitoring, smart systems to alleviate traffic congestion, and portable 5G networks for high-speed live broadcasting from remote locations. The initiative aims to bridge the digital gap between urban and rural communities, ensuring that all areas can harness the benefits of advanced wireless connectivity.
Unlocking Potential Across the UK
The 5GIRs program aims to stimulate innovation in various sectors, including advanced manufacturing, transport, agriculture, creative industries, and public services. The government envisions widespread adoption of 5G, with potential productivity benefits estimated to reach £159 billion by 2035.
Glasgow City Region, set to receive over £3 million, will lead a health and social care-focused project utilizing advanced wireless technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart city applications. The project aims to enhance public services by monitoring and maintaining assets, promoting environmentally friendly social housing, and improving health and social care services.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority will utilize its share of over £3 million to 5G-enable hundreds of air source heat pumps across social housing, accelerating the creation of Smart Energy Grids and enhancing energy monitoring capabilities.
The ten regions selected for funding include Belfast City Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, West Midlands Combined Authority, Oxfordshire County Council, North Ayrshire Council, Sussex County Council, Cumberland Council, Shropshire Council, Sunderland City Council, and Glasgow City Council.
Each region will address its unique challenges and opportunities, ensuring the scalability, replicability, and sustainability of their projects. The successful implementation of these initiatives will be crucial in disseminating project learnings and benefits to other communities across the UK.
Driving Innovation in Key Sectors
The funding allocation for each region showcases the diversity of projects set to receive support:
- Belfast City Council (£3.8 million): Digitizing port operations, deploying ‘5G-in-a-box’ technology for on-location filming, and exploiting advanced wireless connectivity in transport routes.
- Greater Manchester Combined Authority (£3 million): Implementing 5G-enabled heat pumps for Smart Energy Grids and developing a digital road network to reduce congestion and carbon emissions.
- West Midlands Combined Authority (£3.8 million): Scaling proven 5G applications in advanced manufacturing and smart communities through new adoption hubs.
- Oxfordshire County Council (£3.8 million): Creating 5G Science Parks at the Harwell campus, supporting R&D in Quantum, Space, Health, and Energy Clusters.
- North Ayrshire Council (£3.8 million): Establishing Regional Strategic Wireless Innovation Hubs to lead in advanced manufacturing.
- Sussex County Council (£3.8 million): Developing and scaling 5G applications to support sustainable farming practices.
- Cumberland Council (£3.8 million): Utilizing 5G and advanced wireless tech to boost the tourist economy, protect the environment, and support local businesses in the Borderlands Region.
- Shropshire Council (£3.7 million): Embedding advanced wireless connectivity in rural industries, water management, and public services.
- Sunderland City Council (£3.8 million): Implementing 5G-enabled port operations and Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems to improve road transport efficiency.
- Glasgow City Council (£3.2 million): Leveraging IoT and smart city applications for asset monitoring, Net Zero Social Housing, and health and social care monitoring.
Collaborative Efforts for Nationwide Impact
The UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN) will run a nationwide program to drive the adoption of 5G and advanced communication technologies across key economic sectors. This collaboration with the 5G Innovation Regions aims to ensure that businesses and communities across the UK benefit from transformative technology.
Nick Johnson, Head of UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN), expressed excitement about the broad impact of the initiative, stating, “UKTIN will play a pivotal role in taking their innovations and learnings to the whole of the UK,” overcoming adoption hurdles and delivering best practices and insights to communities nationwide.
Hamish MacLeod, Chief Executive of Mobile UK, welcomed the announcement, emphasizing the significance of government funding to spur innovation in 5G and mobile connectivity. The collaboration between industry and government positions the UK at the forefront of technological advancement.
Improved connectivity through 5G and advanced wireless technologies holds the promise of transforming local areas, providing faster, more reliable, and more secure connectivity for residents and businesses. As the 5G Innovation Regions embark on their transformative journeys, the UK inches closer to a future where cutting-edge technology enhances lives, supports local growth, and propels the nation to the forefront of the digital revolution.