The U.K. government also announced a £40 million 5G innovation fund to promote investment and adoption of 5G by businesses and public services
The U.K. government set a target of 5G Standalone (SA) availability in all populated areas of the country by 2030 as part of its latest digital strategy.
The government has said that currently, 77% of the population already has access to basic 5G technology from one provider.
The government’s announcement also commits £8 million ($9.9 million) to delivering high-speed broadband for up to 35,000 of the U.K.’s most remote locations. Under the new program, homes and businesses in the most remote areas that are unable to be connected to gigabit-capable broadband will be given funding to link them via satellite-based connectivity.
Additionally, a £40 million 5G innovation fund will promote investment and adoption of 5G by businesses and public services.
Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan 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 U.K. will be served by what I call ‘5G-plus’ technology by 2030.”
The U.K. government has committed up to £100 million of funding with the aim of driving early-stage research into 6G and influence global standards-setting.
“We want to ensure that 6G is developed to meet the needs of people and businesses right across the U.K. and bolster our international competitiveness throughout the economy,” Donelan added.
Howard Watson, BT Group chief security and networks officer, said: “We welcome the new ambition being set for nationwide Standalone 5G. Meeting this goal can only be delivered if significant new private sector investment is unlocked, which will require delivery of ambitious policy reform. We look forward to working with government to tackle the important issues set out in this strategy, in particular modernizing net neutrality rules to ensure content providers are incentivized to use networks efficiently.”
Alongside the wireless infrastructure strategy, the U.K. government also released a document outlining an updated spectrum strategy.
The government noted that this spectrum statement is intended to ensure that the country has the right policy framework in place to maximize the overall value of spectrum use to the U.K.
“It sets out a new strategic vision and principles for spectrum policy, with a focus on innovation in the use and management of spectrum to create greater opportunities for growth and societal benefits through increased access to spectrum. This will support the government’s plan to cement the U.K.’s place as a science and technology superpower by 2030,” the U.K. government said.
