Government announces £150m investment into 5G tech

Plans to increase 5G coverage in the UK have received new investment as the government looks to position the UK as a leader in future telecoms technologies. 

The Wireless Infrastructure Strategy will see almost £150m of investment put into research and boosting 5G take up with an ambition of delivering standalone 5G, or 5G plus, to all ‘populated areas’ by 2030.

Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said: ‘Our Wireless Infrastructure Strategy sets out our plan to ensure everyone, no matter where they live, can reap the benefits of improved connectivity. 

‘We are doing this by ensuring all populated areas in the UK will be served by what I call ‘5G-plus’ technology by 2030. We are also committing £8m to provide satellite connectivity for our most remote communities so that no one is left behind.’ 

Satellite connectivity is part of the government’s aim to provide hard to reach places with gigabit broadband and will support around 35,000 properties with broadband up to ten times faster than they currently have access to. 

A £40m fund will also ‘encourage innovative 5G investment’ in the public and private sector and help industries to transform their infrastructure to stay at the forefront of communications technology. 

A £100m investment into research of these technologies is also seen as an important way of planning for future advancements by the government explains Ms Donelan, she said: ‘This package of measures turbocharges our progress towards becoming a science and tech superpower with a substantial initial investment in the future of telecoms. 

‘We want to ensure that 6G is developed to meet the needs of people and businesses right across the UK and bolster our international competitiveness throughout the economy.’ 

Network coverage in the UK is an important part of the government’s plans for the future of tech in the UK with Project Gigabit aiming to provide 99% gigabit broadband coverage in the UK by 2030.  

Recent developments under the scheme include the signing of contracts for work in Cornwall and the beginning of work in Cambridgeshire to connect around 45,000 properties.

Photo by James Yarema