Region to be 5G test-bed

WORCESTERSHIRE has secured Government funding to help develop 5G mobile technology in the UK.

The Worcestershire 5G Consortium has received £4.8 million to test 5G across a range of applications from smart farming with drones, healthcare in the home, developing self-driving cars and improving manufacturing productivity.

5G will enable internet speeds to keep up with the explosion of smart devices in the home and the socalled internet of things.

With potential speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second, it will also make it easier for people to rapidly download and upload ultra HD and 3D video.

As well as the Worcestershire County Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership the consortium includes experts from the University of Surrey, AWTG, Huawei, O2, BT and Malvern Hills Science Park and local businesses Worcester Bosch, and Yamazaki Mazak.

Mark Stansfeld, chairman of Worcestershire LEP and 5G lead for Midlands Engine, said: “We are delighted to have been successful in our bid which will help businesses deliver greater productivity using 5G technologies.

“This highlights the huge ambition of Worcestershire’s innovative public and private sector, with key Worcestershire employers leading the way in Industry 4.0.

“At a time of increasing global competition for trade and investment, we are confident that we can act as a catalyst for technological innovation in the wider Midlands Engine and nationally.

“We welcome opportunities for collaboration with the UK’s most innovative minds.”