WMCA

• Total project funding: £499,769
• Location: West Midlands Combined Authority region
• Partners: WMCA, Sitenna, Warwickshire, Birmingham, coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Coventry University, Vodafone,  O2, Three, BT/EE, Cornerstone, MBNL, Freshwave, Atlas, Equilibrium Security, Cityfibre, WPD, Gaist, Vortex.

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is at the forefront of 5G technology, supported by West Midlands 5G (WM5G).  WM5G has been pivotal in ensuring the West Midlands is the UK’s best-connected region for 5G, with a portfolio of 30+ use cases demonstrating how 5G can transform productivity and enhance the local economy.

The region is the first to produce a Connected Map, this DCIA pilot provides an excellent opportunity to further develop and prove this concept.  400,000+ assets mapped to-date and the creation of simplified processes and standardised agreements has allowed quicker access to assets, reducing deployment timeframes by 6 months. The new platform will maximise automation of the end-to-end process, focussing on improvements.  The end-goal is to create a solution that works for both asset owners and landlords, and delivers a commercial model that can be self-sustaining with the ability to deliver a national rollout.

This pilot is critical in levelling-up the West Midlands.  On a micro level providing benefits by adding automation and further standardisation to the acquisition process, reducing time and costs.   At the macro level, increasing connectivity creates multiple opportunities to close the digital divide ensuring greater inclusion for citizens, whilst allowing businesses to become more efficient and competitive.

We are really pleased to participate in this pilot via the DCMS funding competition.  This pilot offers the opportunity to grow the benefits our team have already delivered, advancing the region’s position as a leader in the testing and implementation of 5G technology and its uses.

The biggest barrier to increasing advanced connectivity is the enabling infrastructure, by building and proving an automated platform such as this, we will facilitate the continued deployment of 5G across the region and hopefully wider.

Lesley Holt Accelerator &Communications Director West Midlands 5G (WM5G)

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