£150 million investment announced into digital connectivity

Technology Secretary, Michelle Donelan, has announced plans for £150 million of investment into the UK’s telecoms infrastructure to boost digital connectivity across the UK.

The new Wireless Infrastructure Strategy sets out plans to ensure all populated areas of the UK are covered by ‘standalone’ 5G, as well as exploring satellite connectivity to reach the most remote communities with high-speed broadband.

77% of the UK population already has access to basic 5G mobile connections from at least one provider, and the additional investment aims to unlock new technologies that will change our lives and the way businesses operate through the faster wireless connections that 5G connections provide.

The Technology Secretary has also committed £8 million to improve digital connectivity for the 35,000 most remote properties that cannot be connected to gigabit-capable broadband. Funding will link properties to connections via satellites, improve connection speeds tenfold. The UK is due to hit 75% gigabit broadband coverage this month, up from just 6% in 2019, and is on track to deliver 99% by 2030.

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 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.

“We are also supporting long term economic growth in the UK with a £40m fund to encourage innovative 5G investment across the private and public sector. This will help industries transform at a time when the ways we communicate, work and do business are on the precipice of significant evolution.

“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.”