5G and Full Fibre could boost Local Council Revenue

The rollout of 5G and full fibre could help local councils significantly boost their revenue, says government’s chief broadband advisory body.

12:23 29 September 2019

The Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG) says that the rollout of 5G and full-fibre network would help local councils boost their revenue significantly. It estimates that for areas that have poor coverage, the service will prompt a 3.2per cent increase in the number of businesses operating locally.

 

 

 

The report added that the rollout of 5G and full fibre could also spark a 3.8per cent rise in the productivity of existing business, as well as boosting employment levels by as much as 1.7per cent.

 

 

 

Matthew Evans, chief executive of the BSG said “Industry is committed to delivering the government’s aims for nationwide full-fibre by 2033 and 5G to the majority of the population by 2027. These are ambitious timescales under the current policy and regulatory landscape and are intended to be delivered with minimal public funds. It is a strategic civil and digital infrastructure deployment. This upgrade of our national digital infrastructure will not happen without close engagement between government and the private sector. We need sufficient capital, sufficient skills and the cooperation with every local authority in the country.”

 

 

 

He added: “Many reports already estimate the benefits that full-fibre and 5G can bring to the UK economy making the overall business case while ensuring that central government plays its role in facilitating this investment. But what does it mean for Manchester, Merthyr Tydfil or the Midlothian hills? Without knowing the answer to this question, it is understandable that there is a disparity amongst authorities in how they engage with and approach builders of digital infrastructure. This report seeks to address that gap.”