DSIT £40m 5G Innovation Regions

The UK Government has recently issued the next Wireless Infrastructure Strategy (web version here).

Chapter 5 section describes the £40m ‘5G Innovation Regions’ UK fund, about to be launched.

Multiple Local Authorities (LA), congregated as a ‘Region’, will be provided with a share of £40m to establish themselves as ‘5G Innovation Regions’ to promote innovation through investment in, and scaled adoption of, 5G and other advanced wireless technologies by businesses and public services.

Applicants in receipt of this funding will work as a ‘5G Innovation Region’ and will set
individual objectives which should fit within the overarching objectives of:
• Drive productivity and economic growth in places across the UK by supporting the
development and scaled adoption of 5G by businesses and public services.
• Accelerate commercial investment in 5G and other advanced wireless technologies by
aggregating and demonstrating demand.
• Foster the 5G ecosystem by enabling activities that will bridge the gap between trials
and adoption

The funding applications will open in late Spring 2023, with notification of successful applicants by Autumn 2023. Funding will be available up until the end of March 2025. The EOI is non committal and will not affect your application.

The Scotland 5G Centre can support Local Authorities with their application on the below:
1. Provide advice on the business case for 5G adoption, explain the benefits and capabilities
of 5G and why local authorities should consider adopting 5G. Support the local team with
specialist 5G information offering them an expert consultancy on the 5G roadmap along
the application process.
2. Inform Local Authorities of available and most applicable technologies to help ensure their
proposals are realistic and achievable.
3. Provide access to our national suite of the-state-of-art 5G testbeds and technical resources
across Scotland and 5G-enabled demonstrations and technology, which can be used to
support the innovation bid.
4. Consortia matchmaking with key stakeholders, agencies and partners by providing tools,
advice, connections who cover other technologies and sectors such as CENSIS and DHI.
5. Provide expertise and learning from previous innovation challenges where The Scotland
5G Centre has led or has been part of

Please contact kirsty.scott@scotland5gcentre.org regarding any ongoing/future connectivity infrastructure strategies and business value propositions.