The Wireless Infrastructure Strategy sets out the government’s ambition to deliver nationwide coverage of standalone 5G to all populated areas by 2030, and for people, businesses and public services across the UK to realise the full benefits of 5G.


The government has allocated almost £150 million to support this work, with up to £100 million to put the UK at the forefront of future telecoms research and investing up to £40 million to boost 5G tech adoption.


This work builds on the success of the £200 million 5G Testbeds and Trials (5GTT) programme, which began in 2017 and fostered the development of the 5G ecosystem in the UK, building the business case for investment to support 5G use cases. The programme helped to establish the UK’s leadership and supported industry, academic institutions and local authorities to realise the benefits of 5G.


Read the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy
 

Current projects: Smart Infrastructure Pilots Programme

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames will test the procurement, installation and multiple use cases via the deployment of smart multi-purpose columns.

Westminster City Council

Westminster City Council, working with Ontix, will be testing multi-functional smart lamp columns.

Tees Valley Combined Authority

Tees Valley Combined Authority are leading a pilot to install multi-purpose smart columns.

Oxfordshire County Council

Oxfordshire County Council (OCC), in collaboration with Zeta Specialist Lighting (Zeta) and Virgin Media/O2 (VMO2), will look to procure and install 10 smart poles throughout Oxfordshire, a measure that aligns with the government's strategy to incorporate advanced wireless infrastructure into the societal fabric by 2030.

North Ayrshire Council

North Ayrshire Council aims to create a digitally advanced waterfront destination that drives economic growth and enhances the quality of life for residents and our visitor experience.

Cambridgeshire County Council

The project team will collaboratively design, deliver and test a range of Smart Poles that are capable of hosting a variety of equipment.

Current Projects: 5G Innovation Regions

The Belfast 5G Innovation Region

The Belfast Region is contributing to Northern Ireland’s innovation economy by making targeted investments in initiatives that will accelerate the adoption and commercialisation of advanced wireless technologies.

The West Midlands 5G Innovation Region

By becoming a 5G Innovation Region, West Midlands will transform productivity, create skilled jobs, improve health and wellbeing, and reduce emissions in two of the region’s most important sectors, advanced manufacturing and smart communities, which covers social care, social housing, and other related local services.

The Greater Manchester 5G SMART Decarbonisation Network (GM 5G SDN)

The GM 5G SDN project focuses on how partners across Greater Manchester (GM) will tackle the drivers of climate breakdown at a city region level, accelerating decarbonisation, improving quality of life, and growing the Green Technologies and Services sector.

England’s Connected Heartland (ECH)

ECH will aim to increase adoption of 5G connectivity focussing on regional strengths in R&D, advanced engineering/manufacturing and education whilst aligning with other common regional dimensions such as rurality and improving public transport, particularly East to West.

The Glasgow 5G Innovation Region

Glasgow City Region will utilise existing Internet of Things (IoT) deployments and smart city applications to identify, deliver and propagate use cases for utilising advanced wireless technologies and driving improvements in public and private sector service delivery.

The North East 5G Innovation Region

In a visionary move towards a digitally empowered future, the seven North East local authorities (LA7) are positioning the region at the forefront of advanced wireless connectivity.

The Ayrshire 5G Innovation Region

The Ayrshire 5G vision is to become the UK's premier manufacturing-focused 5G hub, driven by five transformative principles: technological excellence, a thriving innovation ecosystem, sustainable economic growth, skills and talent development, and influential investment strategies.

The Borderlands 5G Innovation Region

The Borderlands Partnership is a collaboration between the counties which make up the English and Scottish border. Rural tourism is a key part of the Borderlands economy: the region has fewer than 1 million residents but welcomed more than 63 million visits in 2019.

The Growing Sussex 5G Innovation Region

Sussex Councils are actively working with Growers and Education stakeholders, conducting research, understanding sector ambitions and current connectivity constraints.

The River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region

Formed in 2019, the River Severn Partnership (RSP) brings together significant partners (26) across 8 counties. RSP covers more than 6,000 sq miles spanning both England and Wales. It is home to 2.6 million people and is projected to increase by 15% over the next 20 years to 2.9 million, equivalent to Greater Manchester.

Other interventions

Spectrum Sandboxes

Spectrum sandboxes, facilitated through Ofcom’s sandbox framework, will test and demonstrate sharing between networks. For example, between different private networks used on a localised basis such as in a factory, farm, transport hub or office. This will inform government and Ofcom on the role of more intensive spectrum sharing, supported by appropriate authorisation models.

5GTT

The 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme (5GTT) - now closed - was a nationally coordinated programme of 5G testbed facilities and application trials. Projects across the UK tested deployment models of new wireless infrastructure and 5G technologies.

  • Case studies
    Case studies

    Illustrating the value of the Digital Infrastructure (DI) directorate interventions, through showcasing the stories behind the projects, partners and people involved. 

  • Thematic and explainers
    Thematic and explainers

    Sharing key announcements from the Digital Infrastructure (DI) Directorate and benefits shared from government-funded projects. 

  • Announcements and outcomes
    Announcements and outcomes

    Sharing key announcements from the Digital Infrastructure (DI) Directorate and benefits shared from government-funded projects. 

    Smart tech trialled in towns and cities40 million fund launched to unlock 5g benefits across the UK  Spectrum statement 

  • Industry engagement
    Industry engagement

    Showcasing the importance of collaboration which involves holding regular events and meetings with key industry stakeholders, sitting on various group advisory boards and wider involvement in industry.

  • Case studies
    Case studies

    Illustrating the value of the Digital Infrastructure (DI) directorate interventions, through showcasing the stories behind the projects, partners and people involved. 

  • Thematic and explainers
    Thematic and explainers

    Sharing key announcements from the Digital Infrastructure (DI) Directorate and benefits shared from government-funded projects. 

  • Announcements and outcomes
    Announcements and outcomes

    Sharing key announcements from the Digital Infrastructure (DI) Directorate and benefits shared from government-funded projects. 

    Smart tech trialled in towns and cities40 million fund launched to unlock 5g benefits across the UK  Spectrum statement 

  • Industry engagement
    Industry engagement

    Showcasing the importance of collaboration which involves holding regular events and meetings with key industry stakeholders, sitting on various group advisory boards and wider involvement in industry.