The West Midlands has been selected to host the UK’s inaugural multi-city 5G testbed, a pivotal development in the nation’s digital infrastructure. The Urban Connected Communities Project will spearhead a large-scale 5G pilot across Birmingham, Coventry, and Wolverhampton, laying the groundwork for future nationwide 5G deployment.
The government has announced that up to £50 million is currently available for this ambitious project, with £25 million sourced from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and a matching £25 million from regional partners. An additional £25 million may be allocated at a later stage, contingent on further development and the approval of the business plan.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has termed this announcement as ‘game-changing,’ emphasising, ‘This will be the backbone of our future economy and society.’ Street highlighted the broad potential of the technology, stating, ‘The potential of this technology is endless – and we will enjoy the benefits first. From monitoring the health of babies and the elderly, to the way our people are linked to the economy of the future, the way companies do business, the way we deliver public services, the experience of travellers on public transport and the way we deliver City of Culture and the Commonwealth Games – everything can be made better thanks to the power of this technology.’
Following an open competition, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) will collaborate with the 5G Testbeds and Trials Team at the DCMS and industry partners to prepare a formal business case for approval. The initial projects are anticipated to commence early next year.
Digital Minister Margot James expressed optimism about this initiative, stating, ‘5G has the potential to dramatically transform the way we go about our daily lives, and we want the citizens of the UK to be amongst the first to experience all the opportunities and benefits this new technology will bring.’ She further noted that the West Midlands Testbed, being the first of its kind globally, will be crucial in actualising this vision.
The establishment of the 5G testbed in the West Midlands heralds a transformative period for the region and the UK as a whole. The project’s success could serve as a blueprint for future technological advancements and deployments across the country.
