The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has provided funding for one-year extensions of a range of projects exploring the use of 5G technology.
They are within the 5G Innovation Region (5GIR) programme, launched in 2023, run by the UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKUTN) and aimed at boosting 5G capabilities in a number of public and private sector activities across the UK.
Three of the 10 projects involve a strong focus on public services.
Among them is the Greater Manchester 5G Smart Decarbonisation Network project, led by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), focused on using 5G to accelerate decarbonisation at city level.
It has received £250,000 for a year-long extension, which will include further work on the pilot of a digital roads network to reduce congestion and carbon emissions by prioritising the flow of public transport.
Two smart transport junctions are now live, creating advanced wireless ‘connectivity corridors’ that use AI to interpret data via a digital twin model, improving road network management and resident safety.
The next phase will involve an upskilling programme for transport network operations staff to manage data from smart transport corridors to improve their management and safety.
Other elements of the Manchester project have included the development of place based model of social housing that makes use of internet of things (IoT) and wireless solutions; and the integration of hundreds of air source heat pumps in social housing.
Glasgow projects
Another public sector project, led by Glasgow City Council and Glasgow City Region, is focused on 5G for smart social housing and social care. It has received an additional £2 million to support trials of use cases with connected sensors to monitor damp, mould and heating in social homes, and assistive technologies such as smart speakers to support care and wellbeing services for vulnerable people.
The next steps will involve the use of IoT deployments and other applications to support asset monitoring and maintenance, net zero social housing, data aggregation and health and social care monitoring. The projects are aimed at helping to build business models and scalability for more effective services.
Thirdly, Belfast City Council and Belfast City Region are to receive £1.3 million for a range of initiatives, which include a 5G powered project to support the management of the city council’s office building. This will include a focus on dynamic occupancy and energy management, decarbonisation and environmental management.
