The UK government has announced ‘substantial’ investments in telecoms and digital connectivity initiatives, outlining priorities in spreading 5G coverage, rural connectivity, and 6G research.

Digital infrastructure is crucial to unlocking opportunities for growth and prosperity, according to the government.

The strategic investments focus on six key initiatives in an aim to put the UK at the forefront of global scientific and technological advancements.

Wireless Infrastructure Strategy 

The Wireless Infrastructure Strategy sets out a policy framework committed to extend 4G coverage to 95% of the population, deliver 5G to all populated areas in the UK, and invest £40 million to drive uptake of 5G-enabled services for businesses and the public sector.

Further, it sets out a 6G strategy to harness and develop the UK’s strengths in future telecoms and to ensure that the UK can influence and benefit from the development of 6G in a way that meets the UK’s future connectivity needs.

Technology Secretary Michelle Doneland said: “Our Wireless Infrastructure Strategy sets out our plan to ensure everyone, no matter where they live, can reap the benefits of improved connectivity. We are doing this by ensuring all populated areas in the UK will be served by what I call ‘5G-plus’ technology by 2030. We are also committing £8m to provide satellite connectivity for our most remote communities so that no one is left behind.

Key measures of this strategy include standalone 5G coverage to all populated areas by 2030. To accomplish this, another focus is providing a clear framework to 5G networks by supporting strong competition and investment, driving down costs and stimulating demand.

The Competition Markets Authority (CMA) and Ofcom will help oversee and regulate the industry in order to drive fair competition while keeping consumer prices down.

In addition, £40 million will be set aside to establish eight to ten 5G Innovation Regions across the UK to enable local authorities to unlock the opportunities of 5G and encourage take-up.

Doneland commented: “This will help industries transform at a time when the ways we communicate, work and do business are on the precipice of significant evolution.”

Future Telecoms Mission

The government is providing up to £100m of funding for its 6G Strategy to ensure the UK is at the forefront of future telecoms technologies.

A key element of this mission will be a series of Future Telecoms Research Hubs, where early stage research will be coordinated through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) via the Technology Missions Fund (TMF).

Support for early-stage research will be complimented by funding for application focussed ‘challenges’ – delivered via Innovate UK – supporting companies to accelerate innovative solutions to market and encourage disruptive collaboration across the UK’s diverse Future Telecoms landscape. This aims to cement early UK market leadership, additionally attracting follow-on investment for companies to scale-up and grow in the UK.

Satellite Connectivity

The government has acknowledged that – while they continue to made progress in the roll out of 4G and 5G – there will be certain areas in the UK where gigabit connectivity will not be possible.

Therefore, the government has announced an £8m fund to provide capital grants to further promote new satellite connectivity to the most remote 35,000 premises in the UK and to help ensure these areas get improved broadband when required.

Rural 10 Point Plan

Included in the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy is a 10 point plan to support rural communities access and adopt the connectivity they need to drive economic growth.

The ten points include projects already well underway, including Project Gigabit and the Shared Rural Network, as well as wider points including the nationwide 5G ambition and the new 5G Innovation regional hubs.

Other points include working with industry to provide broadband to remote and rural areas where it would otherwise be uneconomic to invest in, asking Ofcom to improve mobile coverage reporting and improve access to spectrum for rural network providers.

Further, the government aims to remove barriers to rural broadband deployment by changing planning regulations to accommodate faster roll out. A Rural Connectivity Champion will also be appointed to support adoption of advanced wireless connectivity.

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Spectrum Policy

The Spectrum Statement sets out a new strategic vision and principles for spectrum policy, aiming to maximise its usage across the public and private sector.

Spectrum, the range of invisible electromagnetic waves, enables all wireless technology from mobile phones, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices to aircraft navigation and satellite applications, amongst many other uses.

The devices and services that depend on spectrum now underpin almost every aspect of our economic and social lives.

Priority actions include working with Ofcom to enhance shared use of spectrum, reviewing market mechanisms to support a positive investment environment, and establishing a new framework to improve access to public sector spectrum.

Flexi-Permits for Broadband Rollout

Finally, the government is working with the local authorities and telecoms industry to further trial the use of flexible permits (or ‘flexi-permit’) in a number of countries, especially more rural areas.

Currently operators must apply for a permit to work in each individual street – flex-permits would allow companies to work in multiple streets under a single permit, which if successful, could help speed up broadband rollout.

“This package of measures turbocharges our progress towards becoming a science and tech superpower with a substantial initial investment in the future of telecoms. We want to ensure that 6G is developed to meet the needs of people and businesses right across the UK and bolster our international competitiveness throughout the economy,” Doneland said.