5G competition set to speed up UK’S mobile network

MINISTERS will today pledge £25million to boost the development and future roll-out of 5G mobile technology across the UK.

Matt Hancock, the digital minister, is announcing a “5G Testbeds and Trials” competition which forms part of the Government’s £740 million National Productivity Investment Fund designed to support the next generation of digital infrastructure.

The Government is offering matchfunded grants of up to £5 million to companies that propose new test locations for the roll-out of 5G connectivity which will give people faster internet speeds. The announcement comes on the back of a Government commitment to have supported the roll-out of superfast broadband to 95 per cent of the UK by the end of the year.

Ministers view 5G technology as crucial to the UK’S future because it will enable internet speeds to keep up with the increasing number of devices that require a connection.

Potential connection speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second will help make downloading large files like high definition video quicker and easier.

Mr Hancock said: “To stay competitive we must be at the cutting edge of new technology and we are determined to be one of the first countries in the world to use 5G.

“In these very early stages we want all ideas, from all parts of the country, that will help us get the technology and the roll-out right to have a nationwide network of 5G innovators.”