5G Innovation Regions: closed for applications
A £40 million fund for local and regional authorities across the UK to establish themselves as ‘5G Innovation Regions’.
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Details
Update: 16 November 2023
5G Innovation Regions (5GIRs) successful regions published.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is leading the government’s approach to driving innovation and unlocking opportunities for economic growth through making use of world-class digital infrastructure.
DSIT invited applications into a £40 million fund for local authorities across the UK to establish themselves as ‘5G Innovation Regions’ (5GIRs).
5GIRs is part of our wider programme to drive 5G adoption, with a focus on key sectors where there is local capability and opportunities. Funding will enable places throughout the UK to unlock opportunities across the digital economy which utilise advanced wireless connectivity.
Objectives
Projects applying to this competition were expected to meet the following competition objectives:
- drive economic growth across the UK by supporting places to adopt advanced wireless technologies for services based around local opportunities for growth
- accelerate commercial investment in 5G and other advanced wireless technologies by aggregating and demonstrating demand
- foster the 5G ecosystem enabling “learning by doing”
Background
Advanced wireless technologies will be key to driving the government’s ambitions to harness digital transformation to build a more inclusive, competitive and innovative digital economy. Over the next decade, we will see the development and maturation of innovative technologies from Artificial Intelligence, to self-driving vehicles, to digital twins; all of which will demand advanced wireless connectivity.
This programme supports the implementation of our UK Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, which sets out a clear vision for how advanced wireless infrastructure can become an integral part of the fabric of the UK’s economy and society by 2030, and how we want people, business and public services across the UK to realise the full benefits of 5G and other forms of advanced wireless connectivity.
Improving digital connectivity is one of the government’s Levelling Up priorities. We want places and communities across the UK to share in the benefits of good connectivity, enriching lives and driving local growth. Our intervention also supports the government’s vision set out in our Digital Strategy for a competitive and innovative digital economy, and delivers on our Science and Technology Framework and our commitment to grow the economy.
Tailoring interventions to their specific local needs and existing strengths, 5G Innovation Regions will promote the development and scaled adoption of 5G and other advanced wireless technologies, in businesses and in the delivery of public services, to generate value and growth at the local level.
Contact us
If you have any questions or would like more clarification, please contact us on 5gadoption-enquiries@dcms.gov.uk.
Last updated 16 November 2023 + show all updates
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Closed for applications and 5G Innovation Regions (5GIRs) successful regions published.
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Draft Memorandum of Understanding and draft Grant funding agreement published.
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5G Innovation Regions clarification questions with responses updated.
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First published.