The 9 May event was chaired by MP John Lamont. Attendees were invited to consider the question ‘How does the UK become a world leader in 5G?’ and hear from a range of speakers including Will Stewart, Chair of the IET Communications Policy Panel.
In his speech, Stewart pointed out that despite the huge social and economic impact made by upgrades to the UK’s communications network in recent years, this is not reflected in national statistics such as GDP and productivity, which are in urgent need of improvement.
The IET is now looking to rectify this by working with several bodies, including the ONS and Ofcom, to find a solution.
Stewart also suggested ways to improve how communications coverage is measured and regulated, such as ‘live’ 24/7 coverage measurement and how a new unit of measurement that factors in location - MBit/s-Sqkm, for example - would help achieve the aim of full geographic 5G coverage.
An opportunity for the UK?
Prior to the Pictfor event, Stephen Timms MP (member of Pictfor) wrote an article outlining his thoughts on the UK’s current communications position and the opportunities that 5G presents.
The UK now faces the challenge of implementing faster 5G networks and integrating them with fibre.
According to Timms, the country is in a strong position to become an early adopter, if not the true leader, in 5G, but only if solutions are found to the policy challenges highlighted in the IET’s ‘5G Networks for Policy Makers’ report published last year.
By bringing in an integrated wireless-fibre high-speed network as quickly as possible, the UK would be in a much better position to address its productivity problems and facilitate the development of world-beating technologies, he argues.
Timms also referenced some previous comments from Professor William Webb, an independent consultant and Member of the IET’s Communications Panel.
Webb has spoken about how the Internet of Things (IoT), which is set to receive a major boost from 5G, is predicted to have a huge impact on technologies and sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Manufacturing, Agriculture and Transport.
Webb predicts that in the next few years, Virtual Assistant functionality will improve rapidly; IoT devices, biometrics and robots will become more prevalent in the workplace; and there will be a gradual growth in driverless vehicles – all of which will require a major increase in communications capacity.
Ofcom’s 700 MHz move
The IET has also responded to Ofcom’s proposal to use the 700 MHz band to significantly improve UK mobile coverage for consumers in rural areas. 700 MHz is very likely to serve as the 5G "central nervous system" for major industrial transformations, such as the delivery of future transport systems.
In a recent position paper on the Ofcom consultation, the IET makes a number of recommendations, including extending the Ofcom mandate beyond the needs of consumers/citizens to include the nation’s basic universal mobile infrastructure that maximises economic growth and the industries of the future.
Other suggestions include how the regulator might go about deciding how many new masts are needed and where they would go in order to achieve the required coverage improvements.