The West Midlands has won the bid to become Britain’s 5G test area after the government awarded the region a contract to develop new wireless technology services. The Urban Connected Communities Project, the next step in the Government’s 5G Testbed and Trials Programme, will develop a large-scale, 5G pilot across the region, with hubs in Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton. Up to £50m (50% from DCMS, 50% from regional partners), out of a total pot of £200m for 5G technologies will be provided to develop services ahead of commercial launches. The total investment made from public funding for the entire project will be matched by commercial funding and a further £25m may be made available at a later stage. Subject to approval, the first of a series of projects are expected to go live in early 2019.
