Notice

5G Innovation Regions: successful regions (updated 19 March 2025)

Updated 19 March 2025

Updates to the following projects:

• Greater Manchester Combined Authority
• Oxfordshire County Council - Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire
• Cumberland Council - Borderlands Partnership

Belfast City Council - Belfast City Region

Project summary update (10 March 2025)

This project has been extended by 12 months and awarded £1,300,000 of additional funding.

The Belfast Region is contributing to Northern Ireland’s innovation economy by making targeted investments in initiatives that will accelerate the adoption and commercialisation of advanced wireless technologies. It will deliver across high-growth sectors including creative industries, advanced manufacturing and construction, and transport and logistics as well as tackling public sector challenges. 

The initiatives are: 

• Creative industries: Ulster University’s Studio Ulster is unlocking ‘5G-in-a-box’ technology to provide real-time, high-capacity uplinks between on-location filming and production studios 
• Logistics: Belfast Harbour is harnessing 5G-led innovations to accelerate the digitisation of port operations including automatic bulk freight handling and safety improvements 
• Transport: NI’s public transport provider, Translink, is exploiting advanced wireless connectivity to enable enhanced transport operations and network planning  
• Advanced manufacturing: Queen’s University is harnessing 5G, Building Information Modelling, Digital Twin technology and Augmented Reality to support the design and construction of its Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre 
• Public sector: Belfast City Council will deliver a 5G-powered project to support the management of its office buildings including dynamic occupancy and energy management, decarbonisation and environmental management. 
• a 5G grant scheme will support local SMEs to develop 5G use cases and harness advanced wireless digital connectivity to grow their business 
• a 5G Enablement Programme will foster NI’s advanced wireless ecosystem by building skills, sharing knowledge, identifying opportunities for economic growth, and attracting investment

Funding details (published 16 November 2023)

• Government funding: £3,800,000
• Sectors: creative industries, transport and logistics, advanced manufacturing
• Project name: The Belfast 5G Innovation Region

Project summary (published 16 November 2023)

The Belfast Region is contributing to Northern Ireland’s innovation economy by making targeted investments in initiatives that will accelerate the adoption and commercialisation of advanced wireless technologies. The Belfast 5G Innovation Region will deliver across high-growth sectors including creative industries, advanced manufacturing, and transport and logistics.

The initiatives are:

• Ulster University’s Studio Ulster is unlocking ‘5G-in-a-box’ technology to provide real-time, high-capacity uplinks between on-location filming and production studios
• Belfast Harbour is harnessing 5G-led innovations to accelerate the digitisation of port operations including automatic bulk freight handling and safety improvements
• NI’s public transport provider, Translink, is exploiting advanced wireless connectivity to enable enhanced operations and network planning along its Glider bus routes and drive modal shift for a cleaner, healthier city
• Queen’s University is harnessing 5G, Building Information Modelling, Digital Twin technology and Augmented Reality to support the design and construction of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre, a £100 million Factory of the Future
• a 5G grant scheme will support local SMEs to develop 5G use cases and harness advanced wireless digital connectivity to grow their business
• a 5G Enablement Programme will foster NI’s advanced wireless ecosystem by building skills, sharing knowledge, identifying opportunities for economic growth, and attracting investment

West Midlands Combined Authority

Project summary update (10 March 2025)

This project has been extended by 12 months and awarded £1,056,236 of additional funding.

Advanced Manufacturing: The manufacturing sector is critical to the UK economy– particularly in regions like the West Midlands. Analyst reports highlight a c.£15 billion opportunity to boost economic output by accelerating the adoption of Industry 4.0 solutions including 5G, sensors and data and AI to boost productivity.

Over the last 18 months, West Midlands 5G (WM5G) has partnered with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), DSIT and leading suppliers to design and deploy a private 5G, sensor and data solution in JLR’s Solihull plant. This solution enhances operational efficiency, drives automation, and supports digital transformation by replacing legacy wired systems, improving communication across machines, tools, and teams. This real-world solution is helping build the evidence base to support wider adoption in the manufacturing sector

The next phase of the project focuses on collecting and analysing data to measure outputs, benchmark performance, and develop a robust business case for the wider adoption. This includes:

• Measuring production efficiency and cost reduction
• Benchmarking against traditional systems
• Developing a business case for scaling
• Strengthening collaboration to refine successful models

This evidence-driven approach will support the government’s digital transformation goals and pave the way for broader Industry 4.0 adoption in UK manufacturing.

Smart Communities: Adult Social Care is one of the biggest areas of Local Authority expenditure but faces significant challenges due to rising demand, funding pressures, and staffing shortages.

WM5G has partnered with Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton City Councils, DSIT and leading suppliers to be one of the first regions to scale Technology-enabled Social Care (TEC). These services support citizens to:

• live independently at home
• assist social workers and carers
• reduce pressures on the NHS by addressing issues like bed-blocking and hospital admissions.

Unlike traditional telecare – such as alarm pendants – which are used reactively in the event of an emergency, the West Midlands TEC solution offers bespoke solutions using up to 50 different devices to proactively support citizens’ needs to be supported to live for longer at home.

Over 350 citizens are already benefiting we expect to add hundreds more in the coming months. TEC is demonstrating measurable benefits, including:

• reducing hospital admissions
• optimised carer visits
• a shift from reactive to proactive care.

The next phase of the project focuses on scaling adoption, ensuring the wider social care sector can benefit from the learnings and best practices established. This includes developing a comprehensive business case and procurement framework and further strengthening collaboration with NHS Integrated Care Boards and care providers.

Funding details (published 16 November 2023)

• Government funding: £3,800,000
• Sectors: advanced manufacturing, smart communities
• Project name: The West Midlands 5G Innovation Region

Project summary (published 16 November 2023)

By becoming a 5G Innovation Region, West Midlands will transform productivity, create skilled jobs, improve health and wellbeing, and reduce emissions in 2 of the region’s most important sectors, advanced manufacturing and smart communities, which covers social care, social housing, and other related local services.

The project is led by some of the UK’s largest businesses and public sector organisations, including one of the UK’s largest advanced manufacturers and one of the country’s biggest R&D investors, and the 7 local authorities .

To make this happen the region will scale proven use cases through the UK’s first ‘adoption hubs’ in live operational environments and then support other organisations to benefit through adoption programmes.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Project summary update (19 March 2025)

The Greater Manchester 5G Smart Decarbonisation Network (GM 5G SD) 5GIR project has been extended by 12 months and awarded £250,000 in additional funding.

Over the past 16 months, the project has focused on addressing climate change at a city-region level, accelerating decarbonisation, improving quality of life, and fostering growth in the Green Technologies and Services sector.

The project has enabled the integration of hundreds of air source heat pumps in social housing, supporting the development of Smart Energy Grids and helping to reduce fuel poverty while advancing Greater Manchester’s net zero ambitions. The project has also piloted a digital road network on the 5G network to reduce congestion and carbon emissions by prioritising public transport flow. 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.

A place-based model focused on social housing has been developed, combining multiple use cases, including building management, education, mould detection, and health-at-home services. The results are being scaled across Greater Manchester. Insights from resident engagement will inform future scalability and further use cases for IoT and wireless solutions in the region. Partners are already preparing to contribute to scaling and bring new innovation and industry investment to future programmes.

Central to these initiatives is 5G advanced wireless technology, delivered in collaboration with industry and telecoms partners, local fibre networks, academia, and the cyber security sector.

The project has directly supported Greater Manchester’s goals for net zero, growth, Housing First, and Live Well, as well as the government’s missions on growth, environment, and employment, and its strategy to deliver Modern Digital Public Services across the UK.

The next phase of the project will focus on:

• Embedding the GM Connected Homes Inclusive Places (CHIPS) Use Case Framework, using connected solutions to drive strategic outcomes.
• Expanding use case locations in Wigan and Manchester and to new sites.
• Enhancing data collection, processing, and analysis through the 5G Ecosystem to improve decision-making.
• Building the Advanced Wireless Traffic Corridor in Hindley Wigan to assess advanced wireless technologies.
• Refining the Engagement and Technology Adoption Programme (e-TAP) to help tenants access heat pump tariffs.
• Conducting a GM-wide study on advanced wireless IoT practices and establishing a GM Knowledge and Learning Hub.
• Delivering an upskilling programme for transport Network Operations staff to manage data from Smart Transport Corridors, improving network management and safety.

This comprehensive approach aims to accelerate decarbonisation, improve quality of life, and foster innovation and investment across Greater Manchester.

Funding details (published 16 November 2023)

• Government funding: £3,064,083
• Sectors: energy, housing, transport
• Project name: The Greater Manchester 5G SMART Decarbonisation Network (GM 5G SDN)

Project summary (published 16 November 2023)

The GM 5G SDN project focuses on how partners across Greater Manchester (GM) will tackle the drivers of climate breakdown at a city region level, accelerating decarbonisation, improving quality of life, and growing the Green Technologies and Services sector.

The project intends to enable hundreds of existing air source heat pumps across social housing. This will accelerate the creation of Smart Energy Grids and bring forward benefits for residents, industry and public services, aligning with GM’s Local Area Energy Plan, which will be scaled across GM.

Co-located on the same 5G network, a digital road network environment will be piloted aiming to reduce congestion and carbon emissions and prioritise traffic flow such as public transport in a quicker, efficient way.

A social housing focused place-based model will also be created where multiple use cases can be stacked including building management, education, mould detection, and health-at-home, whilst the results from the initial projects are scaled across GM.

Central to these is 5G advanced wireless technology wrapped within an ecosystem delivered by industry and telecoms partners. To deliver this we will utilise industry expertise, GM’s local full fibre network, academia, and cyber security sector.

Oxfordshire County Council - Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire

Project summary update (19 March 2025)

England’s Connected Heartland (ECH) project has been extended by 12 months and awarded £140,000 of additional funding.

Funding details (published 16 November 2023)

• Government funding: £3,800,000
• Sectors: rail transport, advanced engineering
• Project name: England’s Connected Heartland (ECH)

Project summary (published 16 November 2023)

ECH will aim to increase adoption of 5G connectivity focusing on regional strengths in R&D, advanced engineering/manufacturing and education whilst aligning with other common regional dimensions such as rurality and improving public transport, particularly East to West (EW).

Each of the Local Authority participants in the Region have experienced digital infrastructure teams that have made huge inroads to improving fixed broadband connectivity. Whilst this remains an important regional focus, they are now working to extend the reach of advanced wireless connectivity by way of enabling wider adoption of the technology as a means of improving business productivity, further innovation, and improving public service delivery.

ECH will deploy resources from each of the participating authorities to develop joint opportunities with the wireless telecoms supply chain and the sectors to create an Advanced Wireless ecosystem. The project will do this by stacking use cases as vertical propositions that can then be lifted into other applications more widely across the region.

The project plans to deploy 2 physical 5G infrastructure builds (Harwell and EW Rail) to develop this methodology.

Glasgow City Council - Glasgow City Region

Project summary update (10 March 2025)

This project has been extended by 12 months and awarded £1,997,369 of additional funding.

Smart Social Housing and Social care: expanded live trials of use cases which includes:

• connected sensors to monitor damp, mould, and heating in social homes
• digital technologies, such as smart speakers, to support care and wellbeing services for vulnerable people and improve digital inclusion.

Original funding details (published 16 November 2023)

• Government funding: £3,231,868
• Sectors: social housing, health and social care
• Project name: The Glasgow 5G Innovation Region

Project summary

Glasgow City Region will utilise existing Internet of Things (IoT) deployments and smart city applications to identify, deliver and propagate use cases for utilising advanced wireless technologies and driving improvements in public and private sector service delivery. It will focus on 4 projects initially:

• Asset Monitoring and Maintenance
• Net Zero Social Housing
• Data Aggregation
• Health and Social Care Monitoring

These projects will build upon a strong existing base to prove business models and scalability that will drive more efficient and effective services whilst also helping further grow regional economic specialisms.

The Council of the City Of Sunderland - North East Combined Authority

Project summary update (10 March 2025)

This project has been extended by 12 months and awarded £1,911,143 of additional funding.

The North East Combined Authority are positioning the region at the forefront of advanced wireless connectivity. Shaping the region’s digital landscape and leveraging the power of 5G, these projects use connectivity as catalyst for a sustainable future:

Smart Port

• Extraction of 5G Smart Port use-cases into other sectors
• City centre PoC 5G CCTV video analytics and deployment business case across the region

Connected Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS)

• Improve road transport efficiency in regional cities and between strategically important industrial locations (e.g. Nissan to Port of Tyne)
• Business case for investment along Nissan/Port corridor to enable autonomous operations using 5G

Creative

• 5G-enabled event production and 360º live broadcasting to showcase regional creative sector, as an attractor of tourism and inward investment
• 5G pop-up networks enabling HD broadcasting to engage regional audiences

AgriTech

• Advanced wireless soil and methane sensor technology on farms driving automation, increasing efficiency, and improving environmental sustainability
• Commercialisation of farm data platform and methane sensors

These projects strengthen the North East as a national centre of excellence for advanced wireless use-case development and deployment, accelerating adoption and scale up.

Funding details (published 16 November 2023)

• Government funding: £3,795,826
• Sectors: transport and logistics, creative industries, rural industries: Agritech
• Project name: The North East 5G Innovation Region

Project summary (published 16 November 2023)

In a visionary move towards a digitally empowered future, the 7 North East local authorities (LA7) are positioning the region at the forefront of advanced wireless connectivity.

Shaping the region’s digital landscape and leveraging the power of 5G, these projects use connectivity as catalyst for a sustainable, thriving future:

• 5G-Enabled Port Operations: Aiming to enhance port competitiveness and safety whilst reducing environmental impact
• Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems: Improving road transport efficiency within cities and between strategically vital industrial locations (such as Nissan and the Port of Tyne), this project will redefine regional transportation dynamics
• 5G-Enabled Event Production and 360º Live Broadcasting: Acknowledging the region’s flourishing creative sector, this project will grow the North East’s pioneering reputation, and enhance its standing as a tourism and inward investment magnet
• Advanced Wireless Sensor Technology on Farms: Driving automation, increasing efficiency and improving environmental sustainability, this technology will empower farmers with real data collected from a network of on-farm crop, soil, livestock and environmental sensors

Underpinning the North East as a national centre of excellence for terrestrial and non-terrestrial 5G use-case development and adoption, projects will accelerate economic, social and wellbeing impacts of advanced digital connectivity through rapid adoption and scale-up across key sectors.

North Ayrshire Council - Ayrshire Growth Deal Region

Project summary update (10 March 2025)

This project has been extended by 6 months and awarded £175,000 of additional funding.

• Manufacturing: showcase 5G technology at Scotland’s Digital Manufacturing Processing Centre
• Aerospace: implementing 5G solutions in the aerospace sector to improve design and manufacturing processes (Prestwick Aerospace Cluster)
• Tourism: 5G connectivity for events across the region, enriching visitor experience, enabling business payments, increased safety.
• Education: Immersive learning through use of AR/VR, to upskill students in advanced technologies at Ayrshire College

Funding details (published 16 November 2023)

• Government funding: £3,791,000
• Sectors: advanced manufacturing, aerospace, life sciences, tourism, creative industries and public sector
• Project name: The Ayrshire 5G Innovation Region

Project summary (published 16 November 2023)

The Ayrshire 5G vision is to become the UK’s premier manufacturing-focused 5G hub, driven by 5 transformative principles: technological excellence, a thriving innovation ecosystem, sustainable economic growth, skills and talent development, and influential investment strategies.

By establishing ‘Regional Strategic Wireless Innovation Hubs’, anchored to key Ayrshire Growth Deal sites, the region is creating a dynamic ecosystem that integrates 5G, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and edge computing into advanced manufacturing and critical sectors. These hubs are central to accelerating the adoption of digital and wireless technologies, transforming traditional production facilities into state-of-the-art Digital Wireless Factories.

This initiative promises a collaborative ecosystem, uniting startups, industry, and academia, with sustainability and Net Zero at its core. Developing a workforce ready for the digital era is vital. The region’s investment strategy will reinforce Ayrshire’s role as a manufacturing innovation hub and a significant 5G technology influencer.

Strategic partnerships with The Scotland 5G Centre, National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, University of the West of Scotland, Ayrshire College, and other key institutions underscore the initiative. Ayrshire’s dedication to shaping the future of 5G will not only elevate the regional standing but also establish new benchmarks in the global manufacturing landscape.

Cumberland Council - Borderlands Partnership

Project summary update (19 March 2025)

This project has been extended by 12 months.

Initial use cases, including deployments at:

• Stranraer Marina Hadrian’s Wall
• Kielder Castle
• Destination Tweed

The Windermere Ferry, are demonstrating how 5G can improve tourism experiences, operational efficiency, and support local businesses.

Funding details (published 16 November 2023)

• Government funding: £3,800,000
• Sectors: tourism
• Project name: The Borderlands 5G Innovation Region

Project summary (published 16 November 2023)

The Borderlands Partnership is a collaboration between the counties which make up the English and Scottish border. Rural tourism is a key part of the Borderlands economy: the region has fewer than 1 million residents but welcomed more than 63 million visits in 2019. Advanced wireless technology can enhance how the region tells its story of Borderlands communities; build the tourist economy; protect the environment and local businesses; improve the delivery of rural services and the process to collect information to support future investment. The region will prove commercial delivery of this new technology at:

• Windermere 5G Ferry
• Kielder Castle and Forest
• Stranraer Marina
• The Sill @ Hadrian’s Wall
• Destination Tweed

These projects have been chosen because they can be delivered and replicated. The project will design into these use cases a range of options to ensure sustainability and encourage further commercialisation during delivery. Learnings from these projects, especially with respect to commercial sustainability, will be used to demonstrate the benefits of the technology and support the project’s strategy to roll out to more sites as part of the renewed Digital Infrastructure Strategy.

West Sussex County Council - Sussex (East and West)

Project summary update (10 March 2025)

This project has been extended by 12 months and awarded £715,034 of additional funding.

The food and wine growing region of Sussex presents fertile ground for the use of digital technologies in increasing yield and quality, helping to achieve food security, reduce carbon and use energy efficiently.

Growing Sussex is an exciting project to co-develop and showcase use cases, using 5G, IoT and AI with telecoms and technology partners, education centres and commercial producers. The use cases will test how digital technology and applications using devices such as sensors, monitors, drones and cameras can develop future growing practices by applying data driven decision making.

We share a vision to:

• increase sustainable food and drink productivity;
• provide a qualified, digitally skilled workforce;
• develop sector-supporting products and services;
• promote innovation and data sharing at education centres with suppliers and adopters;
• create demand for scalable expansion of 5G/wireless infrastructure
• demonstrate the return on investment for local producers investing in digital connectivity. 

Putting education at the centre of our approach will ensure the workforce is expectant of using technology in their workplace, generating a cyclical demand within the sector for investment. With complementary test and trial opportunities in ‘real world’ commercial growing sites, we will show telecoms suppliers the compelling need to provide replicable, affordable wireless connectivity.

Funding details (published 16 November 2023)

• Government funding: £3,799,641
• Sectors: rural industries (Agritech and food production)
• Project name: The Growing Sussex 5G Innovation Region

Project summary (published 16 November 2023)

The food and wine growing region of Sussex presents fertile ground for growers and education centres to adopt foundational technologies in the sustainable intensification of their products, helping to achieve food security, reduce carbon and use energy efficiently. Sussex Councils are actively working with Growers and Education stakeholders, conducting research, understanding sector ambitions and current connectivity constraints.

Growing Sussex 5G Innovation Region will co-develop foundational technology use cases with telecoms and technology partners, education centres and commercial producers to develop future farming and growing practices that increase sustainable food and drink productivity; provide a qualified, digitally skilled workforce; develop sector-supporting products and services; foster a 5G ecosystem through innovation and data sharing at education centres with suppliers and adopters; create demand for scalable expansion of 5G/ wireless infrastructure and explore the commercial models to enable more food and drink producers to invest in digital connectivity.

Putting education at the centre of their approach will ensure the workforce is expectant of using technology in their workplace, generating a cyclical demand within the sector for investment. With complementary test and trial opportunities in ‘real world’ commercial growing sites, they will show telecoms suppliers the compelling need to provide replicable, affordable wireless connectivity.

Shropshire Council - River Severn Partnership

Project summary update (10 March 2025)

This project has been extended by 6 months to complete the original scope and awarded £269,743 in additional funding.

Rural industries: demonstrating 5G enabled use cases across agri-tech, food production, water, and public services. Includes sensors for precision irrigation, smart abstraction, and water quality.

• 5G private network at Overbury Farm which will enable AI cameras to help control pests, and IoT sensors that monitor water levels and quality.
• A ‘5G footbridge’ supplying 5G enabled CCTV, footfall counters and flood level sensors.

Funding details (published 16 November 2023)

• Government funding: £3,754,960
• Sectors: rural industries, water, public sector
• Project name: The River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region

Project summary (published 16 November 2023)

Formed in 2019, the River Severn Partnership (RSP) brings together significant partners (26) across 8 counties. RSP covers more than 6,000 sq miles spanning both England and Wales. It is home to 2.6 million people and is projected to increase by 15% over the next 20 years to 2.9 million, equivalent to Greater Manchester.

With the river network at its heart, the Partnership is invested in a shared plan supporting people, businesses, and the environment to be resilient to the impacts of climate change and in so doing stimulate growth.

Becoming an Innovation Region consolidates RSP’s Innovation Programme by embedding Advanced Wireless Connectivity (AWC) technology at the heart of technological innovation across their priority sectors comprising rural industries, water management and public services, where RSP’s partners are both regional and national leaders.

The River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region will demonstrate, prove, and drive implementation and adoption of new digital products and services that support public service delivery, whilst enabling key enterprise in water management and rural industries to explore and exploit digital innovation.

The project’s extensive partner network enables dissemination work, driving benefit at local, national, and regional level, further developing the wider UKTIN ecosystem with specific sector expertise.