5G UK Savings To Be Made

5G technology can help Britain save up to £6billlion annually, a recent report has claimed.

20:28 20 March 2018

A report released by mobile operator O2 has claimed that 5G offers more than just faster download speeds and extremely low latency – it can also help the UK save as much as £6billion every year.

 

According to the report, the technology will lead to the introduction of 5G-enabled smart grids that can help households save up to £145/month on their energy bills. Each household can also save £66 per month on council tax through smart refuse collection and additional £236 by reducing food waste by using smart fridges.

 

The report also claims that local councils will enjoy £890million reduction is social care costs for those living alone; thanks to 5G telehealth and monitoring that will provide councils and families with alternatives to private residential care or employing carers.

 

With telehealth video conferencing powered by 5G, the number of GP appointments can be reduced by up to 9.4million per year. Waiting times will also be significantly reduced and the number of employees that need to be hired will be minimized.

 

Commuters are also set to benefit from 5G. Predictive maintenance on railway lines alone can reclaim an estimated £440million in lost productivity for the UK economy. Meanwhile, 5G-enabled road management systems can be used to reduce time spent in traffic by 10per cent.

 

Margot James, minister for digital and the creative industries, said: 'We want the UK to be a world leader in 5G, and this O2 report highlights the huge potential we have to get ahead and reap the benefits of this exciting new technology.

 

 

'We're already investing £25million in new testbeds across the UK that will pave the way for our 5G future and our work with industry will be vital to help us achieve our ambitions.'