The 5G Innovation Region (5GIR) programme has seen 10 regions throughout the UK receive a share of £36m of funding as part of our wider programme to drive 5G adoption. Focusing on key sectors with local capability and opportunities, the projects aim to enable the UK to take full advantage of the transformative effect that advanced wireless connectivity and digital technologies can provide.
To ensure that all regions can benefit from the work being done by the 5G Innovation Regions, UKTIN is inviting the projects to our Clusters forum. Most recently, Julia McMurdie – Digital Renewal Manager, North Ayrshire – shared her insights.
Please tell us about your 5GIR project.
The project has three cross-cutting themes: empowering digital champions, leveraging data-driven decision-making, and embracing sustainability for a thriving and inclusive digital economy in Ayrshire. We want to transform Ayrshire, which has a total population of approximately 368,650, into a digitally inclusive region that embraces innovation, fosters economic growth, and enhances the quality of life for all residents while positioning itself as a leading destination for digital investment and collaboration.
Why is this 5GIR project needed?
The £3.8 million project will put Ayrshire on the map as a true digital innovator. While Ayrshire outperforms Scotland in the proportion of high-growth businesses, our GVA per hour worked (£34.80) is lower than Scotland’s average (£39.70), suggesting a need to boost productivity through advanced technologies like 5G and innovation-driven initiatives.
What progress have you made?
Across five workstreams – advanced manufacturing, aerospace, business, tourism and immersive learning – the project has created a 5G innovation ecosystem to benefit local businesses and upskill the current and future workforce while ensuring regional competitiveness. Building on the approach of the successful Innovation Hubs in Ayrshire, we offer organisations the chance to test 5G and advanced wireless technologies, helping key regional stakeholders understand how they can be deployed.
Our 5G tourism and events project has explored how 5G connectivity can enhance operational efficiency at events, improving safety, real-time data sharing, and processes. We are also developing insights to understand how public access to 5G can be improved in the future through enhanced operational Wi-Fi connectivity, real-time data sharing, and event optimisation.
In addition, led by Ayrshire College, our immersive learning workstream uses 5G technology to deliver immersive AR/VR experiences, enhancing education, upskilling students, and supporting advanced manufacturing through a 5G-enabled extended campus, using 5G-enabled AR/VR. Our University West of Scotland aerospace initiative aims to create a wireless factory of the future to demonstrate the uses and benefits of 5G MPN within Aerospace & Engineering in the Prestwick Aerospace Cluster. This will provide an anchor to drive innovation and investment.
What have you learned so far?
Collaboration is a key component of innovation. The project is delivered by three councils in Ayrshire (north, south and east). We are also supported by partners across education, technology, process manufacturing, aerospace, mobile and tourism. Our delivery partner, Vodafone, is helping to ensure the scalability and repeatability of our use cases, facilitating the future of 5G regionally and nationally.
Head to the East Ayrshire Council website to learn more, and find out more about the UKTIN Clusters Group here.
