DCMS Reports Crucial 5G Roles

Central and local government bodies could play a proactive role in supporting 5G deployment, DCMS has claimed.

15:14 28 December 2017

The Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has released a report on 5G deployment saying that central and local government bodies could play a crucial role in supporting its deployment.

 

The published document includes plans and efforts to open up more publicly owned land and buildings for the installation of 5G infrastructure. DCMS has been working with the Government Property Unit to make central government the landlord of choice for the industry, partly through the creation of Digital Infrastructure Toolkit. This should include a departmental rental guide, lease guidance and a standard lease.

 

Minister for Digital, Matt Hancock, said: “We want the UK to be a global leader in 5G so that we can take early advantage of the benefits that this new technology offers. The steps we are taking now are all part of our commitment to realising the potential of 5G, and will help to create a world leading digital economy that works for everyone.”

 

The government has committed more than £1 billion to the National Productivity Investment Fund. The majority of it will be used for 5G test beds and trial programmes as well as the local full fibre networks programme.