5G in the West Midlands
West Midlands 5G (WM5G) is accelerating the region’s digital transformation by delivering tangible benefits to businesses. Through a multi-million-pound programme funded in March 2019, WM5G set up the UK’s first region-wide, multi-city 5G testbed.
As of present, projects across the region are working to advance innovation across a wide range of sectors, with specific consideration given to manufacturing, transport, and healthcare.
The UK’s largest 5G testbed
Staying true to the region’s entrepreneurial roots, domestic and foreign businesses alike are capitalising on the region’s unique strengths in 5G to explore new opportunities; testing, proving and scaling new 5G products and services.
The West Midlands has 99.99% 5G coverage, the highest of any Combined Authority and city region in the UK, and has capacity to handle next generation innovations. Being the UK’s 5G ecosystem hub has allowed companies to start delivering wide-reaching positive outcomes and build proven case studies that can now be accelerated here, and beyond.
Manufacturing digitalisation and true productivity
5G has huge benefits for a myriad of companies, being able to streamline production processes, reduce waste, and quickly deliver better quality products. Here in the West Midlands, manufacturers can access support that can enable improvements to their technology and systems that ultimately give a honed, competitive edge.
Transforming Manufacturing at AE Aerospace
See how AE aerospace, a leading manufacturing firm in the West Midlands, became the first UK SME to deploy a 5g private network together with WM5G, Worcestershire 5G, and technology partner BT, in the video available below.
Enhancing the connectivity of transport systems
Solutions to pressing transport issues, including traffic congestion, navigating the changing post-covid environment and making transport more accessible are some of the key benefits businesses have already gained from transport related 5G innovation in the region.
But why 5G? 5G can deliver live data to service providers to better understand how services are used, end-to-end connectivity solutions across systems and fleets, and identify operational issues faster. This is possible through the low latency, high-capacity network that 5G technology can offer, all whilst remaining reliable when stressed with high workloads.
A springboard for Future Mobility
For businesses looking for locations to conduct large scale CAV trials, move between digital and real world environments, or converge vehicles and infrastructure, the West Midlands offers the opportunity to do this.
Through Midlands Future Mobility, we support those in the automotive industry developing Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) solutions with the West Midlands’ Future Mobility Zone – 200+ miles of roads, 5G ready and with intelligent monitoring systems.
Transport Innovation Products & Services
Find out more about the exciting Transport Innovation Products that support development of new products & services across the West Midlands.
Better connected healthcare providers
Connected ambulances to improve at-scene and in-transit care, remote monitoring and support of care home patients, and home delivery of endoscopy services to help tackle bowel cancer are just some of the benefits care providers, the NHS, and others have already gained from 5G innovation in the West Midlands.
On the back of successful projects, WM5G launched The Connected Healthcare Programme (CHP) to support more businesses in the Healthcare Sector in developing digital ways to do things better.
5G enabled clinical examinations
Watch how WM5G partnered with UK-based telemedicine company, Tekihealth to explore how 5G can support the provision of GP care in care homes via the use of connected diagnostics tools.
Why set up in the West Midlands
Discover the features and benefits of locating in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
