The government has used the Spring Budget to once again promote its investments in 5G research and “full fibre” broadband infrastructure.
Read the WIRED guide to What is 5G?
A National 5G Innovation network, which will receive £16 million in state funds, will work with research institutions to start trials and speed-up development of the technology. A team within government will also be tasked with overseeing the 5G programme. Funding for more trials would be awarded on a “competitive basis” the treasury said.
The UK already has a 5G innovation centre, which opened at the University of Surrey in September 2015. The £70 million facility, which received £12 million in government funding, acts as a testbed for the new mobile standard, housing 170 researchers in a purpose-built building. It is unclear how this facility fits into the government’s new strategy, but it is likely to play a leading role.
An additional £270 million for new technology such as robotics, batteries, and self-driving cars was also announced in the Spring Budget. The Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund will aim to “kick-start the development of disruptive technologies” that can benefit the UK economy, the treasury said. This investment was teased earlier this year when the government released as part of the proposed Vehicle Technology and Aviation Bill.
Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF): An initial investment of £270 million in 2017-18 will kickstart the "development of disruptive technologies that have the potential to transform the UK economy."
****: The first wave of challenges funded from the ISCF will include the design and manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles, tackling air pollution, developing AI and robotics systems for "extreme and hazardous environments", and accelerating patient access to new drugs and treatments.
5G: The government’s 5G Strategy sets out steps for the UK to "become a world leader in the next wave of mobile technology and services."
****: This includes a new National 5G Innovation Network to trial 5G applications. The first phase will invest up to £16 million in a 5G facility to work with the government's new 5G centre of 5G expertise.
****: The government will also work on commercial options for improving coverage on roads and rail, and work with Ofcom to ensure the UK is fit for 5G.
Full-fibre broadband: Starting this year, the government will invest £200 million to fund a programme of local projects to boost the roll-out of full-fibre broadband as well as offer full-fibre broadband connection vouchers for businesses.
****: Elswhere, the government and local authorities will connect public sector buildings, such as schools and hospitals to bring full-fibre closer to more homes and businesses. Public sector assets, such as existing ducts, will be opened to allow fibre to be laid more cheaply, too.
Elsewhere, chancellor Phillip Hammond said the government would provide £200 million to fund a programme of local projects to speed-up the introduction of full-fibre broadband networks in the UK, which have been plagued by delays and overspending for years. Read more: Google, BT and more pledge skills training for millions as part of the UK's Digital Strategy
This new initiative will look to create “enough broadband demand” in local areas to reduce the financial risk of building new fibre networks. Public sector assets, such as existing ducts, will be opened up to allow fibre to be laid more quickly. The £200 million investment is in addition to a £400 million “full fibre” commitment made in the Autumn Statement as part of the government’s Digital Infrastructure Investment Fund. That investment will be matched by the private sector to improve fibre roll-out over the next four years.
The government’s continued attempts to bring the UK’s internet infrastructure up to standard comes after regulator Ofcom ruled Openreach, the body responsible for the physical pipes and cables on which UK communications networks rely, should be run as a “legally” separate company from BT. The ruling, made in July 2016, has been opposed by BT.
Earlier this month, the government announced its long-delayed Digital Strategy, which outlined how firms including Google, Barclays and BT will help train millions of people and plug the digital skills gap.
But while money is being put into some technology sectors, others have suffered. Schools in England and Wales with solar panels installed are set to face a £1.8 million bill due to a change in business tax rates.
According to a Freedom of Information request, 821 schools with solar will collectively have to pay an extra £800,000 a year. The change, which comes into force in April, could cost all schools with solar panels across England and Wales a total of £1.8m. Private schools with solar panels will remain exempt from the 800 per cent tax hike, leaving state schools to foot the bill.
Read the full Budget 2017 documents.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
