UK aims to boost 5G adoption with £36 million for ‘innovation regions’

Ten local authority areas across the UK will receive a share of £36 million (US$45 million) to become 5G Innovation Regions, the government has announced.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) initiative aims to boost the adoption of advanced wireless connectivity across sectors such as agriculture, health, public services, creative industries and transport.

Sir John Whittingdale, Minister of Data and Digital Infrastructure, said: “We’re channelling millions into local areas to unlock the potential of cutting-edge 5G wireless and digital technologies which will reshape our public services, drive economic growth and boost innovation.

“For instance, by using 5G for farming and creating science parks, we’re not just helping local communities, but also encouraging new ideas all over the UK. This is more than just linking smartphones. It’s about using powerful digital connections to transform various sectors in the economy and the public sector throughout the entire country.”

Winners

The winning projects were announced after applications for the fund were opened in July.

Amongst the winners are Belfast City Council, which will receive £3.8 million to digitise port operations, provide high-capacity uplinks for on-location filming and production studios, and use advanced wireless connectivity on transport routes.

Professor Liam Maguire, Chair of the Digital Advisory Board for the Belfast Region City Deal and Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research at Ulster University, said: “Advanced wireless technologies, such as 5G, are a key driver of our local economy and will enable us to achieve our digital innovation ambitions across the Belfast region.

“City Deal partners are harnessing the DSIT funding to accelerate the development of innovative projects, from proof-of-concept right through to widespread adoption, to enable key sectors in the region to exploit 5G and benefit from the transformative effect of advanced wireless connectivity.”

Glasgow City Region was awarded £3.2 million for a health and social care project using the Internet of Things (IoT). The project will specifically focus on monitoring and maintaining assets, creating environmentally friendly social housing, and improving the monitoring of health and social care services.

Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Combined Authority will receive £3 million, part of which will be used for 5G-enabled air source heat pumps across social housing in the region. This aims to accelerate the creation of smart energy grids that allow residents, businesses and public services to better monitor energy use and save money.

Multi-billion pound opportunity

The government says projects such as these can stimulate demand for 5G connectivity and that widespread adoption could result in productivity benefits of £159 billion by 2035. This is according to research commissioned by the government from Analysys Mason and Cambridge Econometrics.

Other councils set to receive funding include West Midlands Combined Authority, Oxfordshire County Council, North Ayrshire Council, Sussex County Council, Cumberland Council, Shropshire Council, and Sunderland City Council. The initiative aims to demonstrate the scalability, replicability and sustainability of each project, before learnings are shared more widely.

A new advisory group is also being launched, through which regional digital infrastructure leads will provide recommendations to the government on how it can support their connectivity ambitions.