Key Takeaways

• The UK’s 5G Innovation Region (5GIR) program receives an additional £1.9 million and a 12-month extension to enhance 5G technology deployment.
• Funding aims to improve efficiency in transport, public safety, and the creative economy across the North East.
• The program has achieved measurable advancements in connected transport and smart port operations.

Funding Boost for 5G in the North East

The UK’s 5G Innovation Region (5GIR) program has been awarded an additional £1.9 million in funding, extending its efforts for another year to scale the deployment of 5G technology across vital sectors in the North East of England. The initiative, led by Sunderland City Council and supported by the North East Combined Authority (NECA) and local partners, builds on an earlier £3.7 million investment from late 2023, part of a broader national strategy by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

The new funding aims to speed up practical applications of 5G in various sectors, including intelligent transport systems, public safety, creative industries, and agritech—key areas aligned with local government priorities. Liz St Louis, Director of Smart Cities at Sunderland City Council, emphasized that the funding enables a shift from pilot programs to comprehensive, place-based transformation. “We’re embedding 5G where it delivers the greatest public value,” she stated, referencing enhancements in traffic flow, event safety, and support for the creative economy.

The program has already shown positive results, including improved smart port operations and a connected transport network that links major industrial sites like the Nissan plant and the Port of Tyne. Other advancements include immersive content production powered by 5G and enhanced public safety through sophisticated CCTV systems during large events in Sunderland and Newcastle.

St Louis elaborated that the new funding addresses several local priorities: enhancing the logistics economy through better efficiency and safety at ports, boosting productivity in the manufacturing sector—especially in automotive—and providing foundational support for the region’s creative economy, which in turn attracts tourism and investment.

This additional investment will also focus on reducing carbon emissions within the North East’s agricultural and transport sectors. Building on insights from the initial phase, the program aims to refine its approach for greater scalability and integration in real-world settings.

“Deploying 5G in transport and port environments isn’t plug-and-play,” St Louis commented, highlighting the need for thorough integration and testing alongside partnerships with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and logistics providers.

The initiative continues to expand its 5G infrastructure to foster further innovations in public services and various economic sectors. Recently, the North East 5G Innovation Region received the Place-Based Impact Award at the Future Networks Awards, showcasing a civic-led approach to digital transformation that is gaining recognition among UK city leaders.

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