The Minister of State for Digital and the Creative Industries, Margot James, visited the West of England yesterday to find out more about the region’s strengths in digital and 5G technology.
Earlier this year, the West of England Combined Authority secured £5 million from government to trial a superfast 5G network at tourist destinations in Bath and Bristol.
The Minister met with the West of England Mayor Tim Bowles, before going on to see some of the new technology in action, with a visit to Millennium Square and the University of Bristol’s Smart Internet Lab, a key part of Bristol’s growing digital agenda.
She also toured the Engine Shed to find out about its work with young people, including the Engine Shed on Tour project delivered with Boomsatsuma, concluding with a tech roundtable.
Mayor Tim Bowles said: “The West of England is well placed to become a smart region – we are home to the largest cluster of digital expertise outside London, and our businesses and universities are at the forefront of innovation in next generation networks including 5G.
“We’ve already received £5m from government to trial some exciting new technology which will revolutionise the way we all live, travel and work.
“We’re now working with our constituent councils and the University of Bristol on a bid to the DCMS Urban Connected Communities fund. I believe our vibrant economy, creative culture, high tech productivity and accessible geography make us the ideal location to be the UK’s 5G demonstrator.”
Margot James, Minister of State for Digital and the Creative Industries, said: “The next generation of connectivity has the potential to transform the digital economy and the Government is committed to ensuring the UK is fit for this 5G future.
“I’ve been able to see first-hand how the University of Bristol, working with the West of England Combined Authority, is playing an important role in research and development that will unlock the benefits of 5G not just for the West of England but across our economy and wider society.”
After meeting the Mayor, the Minister saw the 5G network already developed by the University of Bristol to establish experimentation capabilities for digital innovation.
The University of Bristol’s Smart Internet Lab is driving the 5G agenda both locally and nationally and is one of three UK sites which will deliver the world’s first end-to-end 5G system trials, thanks to £16m investment from DCMS.
It brings together more than 200 experts across the boundaries of communications and digital living research to explore how the internet could be scaled up to respond to rapid changes in the way we consume internet services.
Professor Nishan Canagarajah, Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bristol, said: “It’s tremendously welcome and encouraging to see initiatives such as these garner ongoing interest and support.
“Digital innovation is already shaping the future of work, the global economy and social interaction. It’s therefore fitting that research and progress in this area is a collaborative effort between the many organisations and experts who will help us address the grand societal and industrial challenges of our time.”
Engine Shed Director, Nick Sturge, talked about work underway to support scale-up businesses and activities to ensure opportunities in the growth sectors are visible and routes into employment accessible to all young people.
He said: “The Minister of State for Digital and Creative Industries is warmly welcomed to the Bristol & Bath digital tech cluster to see first-hand what we are doing and achieving to progress our region’s inclusive economic growth strategy.
“It’s well known to us what a hotbed of innovation, technical progression and talent we have.”
