Government announces funding for 5G

The government has launched a £40 million fund to unlock 5g benefits across the UK.

The fund is intended to help local areas boost their digital connectivity and develop advanced wireless technologies that could power everything from innovative healthcare solutions to futuristic farming and smart systems to improve transport and cut congestion.

Local and regional authorities can apply for a share of the fund which is designed to accelerate innovation in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, transport, agriculture and public services.

The funding will also be used to create 5G Innovation Regions to regions that can demonstrate how they will drive the development and adoption of 5G and other technologies.

Minister for data and digital infrastructure, Sir John Whittingdale, said: "Greater adoption of 5G-powered technologies will help deliver more efficient public services, new opportunities for residents and businesses, and a boost for economic growth -  and this new fund will give local areas from across the country the opportunity to be at the forefront of Britain’s world-leading 5G revolution.

"5G Innovation Regions will be uniquely positioned to benefit from breaking down barriers which hinder the rollout of such technologies at a local level and this initiative offers every community the chance to gain these opportunities.

"Improving connectivity through a world-class digital infrastructure is one of the core components of the government’s plans to level up every community in the UK and I encourage local areas to apply and to be ambitious in their vision for reaping the rewards of 5G."

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay