UK 5G Trials

£16m for UK 5G trials - superfast 5G technology promised by chancellor Philip Hammond in the Spring Budget.

16:19 10 July 2017

Superfast 5G technology will be trialled in early 2018 using government funding amounting to £16million. The money will be shared by experts at King’s College London and the Universities of Bristol and Surrey to develop a 5G test with the goal of putting the UK at the forefront of 5G innovation.

 

“We want to be at the head of the field in 5G," said digital minister Matt Hancock.

 

"This funding will support the pioneering research needed to ensure we can harness the potential of this technology to spark innovation, create new jobs and boost the economy."

 

Rahim Tafazolli, director of the University of Surrey's government-backed 5G innovation centre, added: “This exciting programme builds on significant investment and a strong foundation of 5G research and development across the three institutions,"

 

"The programme will maintain and extend the UK's leadership position in the race to transform many aspects of everyday life and business through digital transformation.”

 

Superfast 5G networks are expected to be deployed starting 2020. However, Asian countries, including South Korea, are racing towards an even earlier date.