WM5G exceeds targets to deliver over £200 million of benefits

West Midlands 5G Limited (WM5G), the UK’s largest 5G innovation company, says it has exceeded its targets in successfully establishing the West Midlands and the UK’s best-connected region for 5G – leading to economic benefits in excess of £200 million.

WM5G was established by the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Government's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in 2019 with a mission to accelerate 5G rollout – recognising the upfront costs and challenges - and to test and prove transformational innovations using 5G – over a three-year horizon to March 2022.

WM5G says the WMCA region is now the UK’s best-connected region for 5G and thanks to WM5G’s "barrier-busting work" in partnership with mobile operators, local authorities and DCMS.

Over £800,000 in planning costs alone has been avoided in the past three years, says the firm.

WM5G built the UK’s first large-scale digital connectivity map showing the locations which don’t have 4G and 5G coverage, and the hundreds of thousands of public buildings and other assets that could be utilised to offer connectivity.

WM5G then worked in partnership with mobile operators and local authorities to streamline the processes and compensation models for 5G deployment.

As a result, 5G was deployed six months faster than planned and the West Midlands now has the best 5G coverage of any region with over 22 per cent geographic coverage and over 60 per cent population coverage, according the independent analysts Umlaut.

Robert Franks, MD of WM5G, said: “We’re delighted with the benefits that WM5G has delivered in the West Midlands over the last three years."

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “WM5G has delivered some astonishing projects that make a material difference to the lives of people here in the West Midlands.

"We are now the leading region in terms of 5G connectivity, which is a critical foundation for future growth and the backbone of our future economy and society."

Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman said: "Our £20 million investment in WM5G is generating huge value for the West Midlands - boosting the economy by supporting jobs, driving productivity across local industries and levelling up communities.

"The region took centre stage with the Commonwealth Games and I'm thrilled this fantastic project is also putting the West Midlands at the top of the table for 5G connectivity and innovation which will deliver lasting benefits for years to come."