UK Plans to Invest an Additional £40 Million in 5G Development

The UK government has launched a new funding program totaling £40 million to accelerate the deployment of 5G by local and regional authorities. This project aims to promote connectivity advancements in the fields of transportation, intelligent infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, and public services.

A few months before announcing this new funding, the UK government outlined a digital connectivity strategy, including an investment of £100 million in 6G research and £8 million in assistance for laying satellite networks in remote areas.

In a statement, the UK government said that this £40 million funding program is now open for applications and is expected to attract commercial opportunities. The funding will be awarded to local authorities capable of demonstrating 5G use cases in the public sector, highlighting use cases such as traffic control, environmental data collection, and the use of drones to improve air quality.

Additionally, the UK government announced the launch of the UK Telecoms Innovation Network's national initiative, aimed at helping businesses collaborate with major operators and suppliers to deliver 5G services.

This project and funding will complement existing 5G programs, including the Gigabit Project. The application deadline is set for September, and the approved applicants will be announced at an appropriate time.