'Super-fast' mobile internet heads to West Midlands as region chosen for 5G trial
The West Midlands has won the race to become the UK's first 5G mobile internet test bed, it has been announced today.
The region beat off competition from 18 other areas of the country to land the multi-million pound deal, which will see it get super-fast connectivity before anywhere else.
The pilot scheme – the first of its kind in the world – will be built from Wolverhampton through Sandwell and into Birmingham.
It will see an initial £50 million of Government cash used to create a 5G network primarily on public sector sites across the region.
It will give mobile users reliable network speeds of up to 1GB, enabling downloads in seconds, as well as providing a boost for local businesses.
Initial schemes include:
Live streaming of CCTV footage from public transport buses, enabling police officers to take immediate action against anti-social behaviour
Facilitating the 'real world' testing of driverless cars with Jaguar Land Rover
'Connected ambulances' enabling paramedic crews at an incident to access specialist advice while they are at the scene through video conferencing and the live streaming of patient data.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said harnessing the power of 5G would be 'game-changing' for the region.
Mr Street, who spearheaded the region’s bid, said: “This announcement is game-changing for the West Midlands economy. This will be the backbone of our future economy and society.
“We have been working to put the foundations in place to grow the industries, which will create the jobs of the future, particularly around driverless vehicles and life sciences where we have a genuine advantage.
“To deliver the future of these industries we need the power of 5G.
“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.”
5G technology is still in its developmental stage, although it is expected to cover the entire country within the next five years.
Ministers hope the West Midlands trial, which was launched at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, will pave the way for the nationwide roll-out.
Digital Minister Margot James, the MP for Stourbridge, said: “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.
"The West Midlands Testbed, which is the first of its kind anywhere in the world, will be instrumental in helping us realise this ambition.”
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) will now work with the Government's 5G testbeds and trials team and industry partners on preparing the formal business case for approval.
The first series of 5G projects are expected to be launched early next year, and will focus on health, construction and automotive sectors.
The first 5G mobile handsets will start to appear next year, with mobile operators offering 5G in high traffic areas such stations and stadiums from 2020.
