YOUR BUSINESS SUMMER 2018 - 326

YO U R B U S I N E S S _ P R O M OT I O N

Worcestershire

- the connected county
Is your business ready to make the most of the 5G opportunity?

T

he UK's 5G opportunity is on the
horizon and could revolutionise
business as we know it.
According to the GSMA, which
represents mobile technology providers
worldwide, as many as 1.4 billion 5G
connections are predicted by 2025, as
well as a host of new 5G technologies.
With 5G expected to become available
by 2020, industry is predicted to be one
of the earliest major beneficiaries. In
advance of this date, the UK is pioneering
the exploration and development
of technology to transform British
industry through the work undertaken
by the county of Worcestershire.
With support and funding from the
UK government, Worcestershire is
proud to call itself home to the UK's
most technologically-advanced 5G
testbeds, designed to unlock the future
of business in the UK and beyond.
Launched last month, the testbed will
see 5G specialists and business experts
pioneer the concept of Industry 4.0,
and the consortium of testbed partners
is calling on UK businesses to become
part of something truly exciting.

5G business hub

Earlier this year, the government
announced the winners of a £25m

funding competition. This will support
a suite of projects set to pave the way
for a future roll-out of 5G technology.
The commitment forms part of the
government's stated aim to create a
Britain fit for the future with a thriving
digital economy that works for everyone.
Six projects were selected nationwide
to test 5G across a range of applications,
with funding and support from the
Department of Digital, Culture, Media
& Sport. Among these was the 5G
testbed run by Worcestershire 5G
Consortium, aimed at revolutionising
the way future business operates
in both the UK and globally.
On 1 April, the Worcestershire
5G Consortium began the country's
most comprehensive industrial 5G
testbed trial, with a team of technology
specialists at Malvern Hills Science
Park. The consortium includes local
infrastructure providers, national
network operators, and research
and development facilities, including
Worcestershire Local Enterprise
Partnership, Worcestershire County
Council, 5GIC at the University of Surrey,
AWTG, Huawei, O2, BT, Worcester
Bosch, Yamazaki Mazak, QinetiQ,
Heart of Worcestershire College
and Malvern Hills Science Park.

Productivity and innovation

The testbed provides a revolutionary
platform for local and national
businesses to develop next-generation
technology, such as the internet of
things and augmented reality, focused
on improving the UK's industrial
productivity. Initially, the focus will
be on manufacturing and developing
products that are Secure by Design and
aligned with the government initiative.

Councillor
Ken Pollock

"A county at the
cutting edge"
Worcestershire
County Councillor
Dr Ken Pollock,
cabinet member
responsible for
economy and
infrastructure:
"Worcestershire
has a growing
reputation as a
county at the
cutting edge
of technology.
The award of
the 5G testbed
acknowledges the
expertise we have
and will reinforce
our reputation
nationally and
internationally.
"Working with
our partners,

Worcestershire
County Council
will encourage
existing businesses
and businesses
new to the county
to embrace the
opportunity
this innovative
technology
presents to us.
"I very much
welcome the £4.8m
funding from the
Department for
Digital, Culture,
Media & Sport,
which will further
establish the
expanding Malvern
Hills Science
Park, as a centre
of excellence."
https://www.wlep.co.uk/
YOUR BUSINESS SUMMER 2018

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