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New products, services and applications that exploit the capabilities of 5G are being created by innovators to enrich our personal lives, our workplaces, environment, and the society we live in.

Drivers for advanced digital connectivity

Mobile communication technology has evolved beyond all recognition over the last four decades, from the first analogue voice-based mobile phones in the mid-80s (e.g., the Motorola ‘Brick’), through to today’s incredibly powerful 5G devices.  

The amount of data we are consuming continues to increase at an exponential rate.  

According to a recent study by Ericsson, the average data consumption per smartphone is forecast to reach 41GB per month by 2027 as users run progressively data hungry applications.  

We are also seeing more machines connected wirelessly and exchanging large volumes of data with other machines, humans, and the internet.  It is this demand that will continue to drive the evolution of mobile technology well into the future.  

5G comprises of three service categories, enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable Low Latency (uRLLC) and Machine Type Communications (mMTC).  It is designed to offer better inbuilding and outdoor coverage, higher data rates and lower latency. It also brings greater network capacity and efficiency with improved service availability, reliability, and security. These capabilities are set to evolve as the Third Generation Partnership Programme (3GPP) develops new standard specifications beyond 5G. 

To date, 5G use-cases have generally focused on the eMBB category, with the aim of delivering superior speeds compared with previous generations. Through our 5PRING accelerator and WM5G testbed and trial programmes, we have seen that innovators are also interested in the low latency and high reliability benefits offered by 5G.

5G, in partnership with other technologies such as Cloud Computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), will create many new innovation opportunities in different market sectors including transport, manufacturing, healthcare and creative industries. 5G has been demonstrated to enable driverless cars, smart automation, remote surgery, immersive Extended Reality (XR) experiences and many more use-cases. 

5G supports the transfer of huge amounts of data, which AI and ML platforms can process and act on in near real-time. This relationship has the potential to completely revolutionise businesses.

It’s still early days for 5G

It’s important to recognise that whilst progress has been made, it is still early days for 5G. Today’s commercial networks conform to the first iteration of the 5G standards and are overlaid/reliant on top of existing 4G infrastructure to ease migration from 4G to 5G.  This is referred to as the Non-Standalone (NSA) network configuration.  

Whilst users are experiencing throughput and latency improvements compared with previous mobile technologies, it will not be until mobile operators migrate their networks to the Standalone (SA) configuration (without 4G) and incorporate advanced 5G features including new Radio Frequency (RF) Spectrum bands, will users experience the headline performance levels promised for 5G. 

Having conducted trials of 5G Standalone networks in 2021, operators are expected to migrate their commercial networks to SA and introduce new features over the coming year. 

Private 5G networks are also beginning to be deployed in the UK. The move will provide the foundation for a raft of new digital connectivity features and innovative use cases in manufacturing and many other sectors.

Keeping up the momentum

Despite the impact on 5G roll-out of the Pandemic and the UK Government’s decision that Chinese infrastructure vendors shall be removed from commercial networks (by 2027), commercial 5G services continue to be deployed by operators, from urban centres expanding outwards.

For the UK to remain competitive in a challenging global market, it is imperative that the deployment of 5G networks continues at pace, support be provided to start-up and scale-up businesses to facilitate digital innovation and expand adoption.  It is also vital that the 5G ecosystem, including applications, services, infrastructure, devices, and Spectrum availability (particularly mmWave) expand to meet demand and facilitate the growth of new and exciting use-cases.    

Future technology

The Sixth Generation (6G) wireless technology is already being worked by industry players. Typically, a new generation of Mobile Technology appears every 10 years and industry commentators forecast commercial launch by 2030. 

Whilst it’s not clear what 6G will look like in detail, our expectation is that the technology will utilise even higher frequencies to boost data rates, capacity and reduce latency even further. 

The networks of the future will be able to support a limitless number of connections, unlocking the true potential of person to person, person to machine and machine-to-machine communications, seamlessly connecting everyone to everything wherever they happen to be.

Making the business case

At WM5G, we have the unique opportunity to showcase the benefits of adopting innovative connectivity technologies. Just as networks are evolving, our work must also evolve. As a result, we will be developing our commercial services to attract and support businesses through the next wave of connectivity innovation.

We are here to help business owners and technology leaders to solve live business problems, delight customers, and drive business growth through tech and connectivity solutions. To find out more about our work and how we can help to support your business, visit our website at https://www.wm5g.org.uk and sign up to our Newsletter for expert opinion, case studies and latest news.

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As connectivity is evolving, Open RAN (Radio Access Network) has rapidly proved itself a hot topic for the telecomms industry and the players within it. As we seek to improve connectivity across businesses and communities, extending network access to encompass more aspects of our daily lives, it’s critical we embrace the concept of interoperable network solutions. 

Under the current RAN model, we see a small number of suppliers in control of supplying network components, meaning the market is dominated by a handful of players with their own, end-to-end infrastructure solutions. 

The idea of Open RAN, is to create a marketplace where networks can be built using components from multiple suppliers, connected over standardised open interfaces. 

By encouraging the growth and implementation of open standards, more vendors can enter the market of building networks, which ultimately will bring us closer achieving superfast connectivity at scale. 

More suppliers in the marketplace are beneficial to all as it creates flexibility and resilience and encourages competition. This diversity will in turn reduce costs, create more bespoke solutions, and improve capacity for connectivity, supporting emerging digital technologies. 

The journey to interoperable network solutions

The UK government wants to use Open RAN and market collaboration as enablers for speeding up the process for deploying 5G networks, ensuring optimum user experience and continuity of service.

Their goal is for the majority of the UK to be covered by a 5G signal by 2027, ensuring the benefits of 5G can be shared by all.

In order to meet this ambition, we must encourage market competition and growth by proving integration of new technologies, solving some of the operations and maintenance complexities around shared standards, and improving performance of the hardware and software used for connectivity. 

We need to encourage the big players in the industry to adopt open standards and support and nurture SMEs and new players entering the market who are creating alternative solutions. 

With more vendors in the market, we must also ensure a shared framework of operation between solutions to ensure cohesion of service, especially now when these tools are still in their relative infancy.

Trialling how solutions perform and integrate as a network will also be critical to scaling up deployment in urban settings. We will need thousands of small cell stations compared to the bigger network towers of the past, we must navigate the challenges limiting network performance, such as reflections from buildings or moving traffic as well as ensuring that devices are as energy efficient as possible.

The future is OPEN

For the last three years West Midlands 5G (WM5G) has worked with industry and local authorities to remove barriers to the urban deployment of 5G, which has enabled it to become the UK’s best connected region. 

We are now using this experience to support the government’s 5G Supply Chain Diversification Strategy, promoting the deployment of advanced digital connectivity across the UK, growing the supply chain and improving future resilience. The facilitation and creation of Open RAN solutions will be a key step on this journey. 

One such project is the £2.4m ARI-5G, a government supported R&D programme focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), with partners including TIP, BT, Accelerant, Viavi, Amdocs and Attocore. Together we’re seeking to find answers to some of the critical challenges to achieving Open RAN, such as interoperable architectures, accelerating software testing and power management, all in a dense urban setting.

Working with West Midlands Combined Authority, we are also forming part of the Governments Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Accelerator (DCIA) work, with a local pilot awarded £0.5m to map out the region’s publicly owned assets such as buildings, land and street infrastructure capable of housing mobile network infrastructure.

West Midlands is already at the forefront of this technology being the first in the UK to produce a Connected Map, through WM5G with over 400,000 assets mapped to-date. This has already allowed quicker access to assets, reducing deployment timeframes by 6 months and the learnings are hoped to guide other regions of the country on their 5G adoption journeys. Expanding the network technologies available and simplifying access to public assets will work in step to achieve a naturally diverse and resilient connectivity solution and is a necessary step to the mass deployment of small cells.

Although there’s still challenges left to solve, I firmly believe collaboration from all sides of the industry, together with public authorities, will naturally create a better-connected environment, making it faster, and more affordable to expand connectivity; unlocking new opportunities and benefits to businesses and citizens.  

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Although there’s no silver bullet for solving this issue, I firmly believe creating jobs, and advancing new and existing industries will go a long way in supporting financial recovery. We have already seen some of the transformative power of connectivity, and with high speed 5G connectivity the opportunities are greater than ever before.   

The fifth generation of mobile data has moved out of its infancy and established itself as a force capable of drastically improving our everyday lives, enabling ‘real time’ connectivity, and creating opportunities for more sophisticated and productive ways of working. 

5G is far more than mobile connectivity; it will both improve the use of existing technology and has the potential to innovative services and establish new use cases across industries including e-health, transport, and manufacturing. 5G enables the instantaneous transfer of data and information whilst allowing thousands of devices to be simultaneously connected, creating vast transformative potential, to business and the economy.

PwC predicts that the adoption of 5G technology will increase the productivity and efficiency of those businesses, adding an estimated £43 billion to UK GDP by 2030. This figure highlights the potential of 5G to rethink business models, skills, products, and services and will play a significant role in rebuilding the economy following the detrimental impact of Covid-19. 

West Midlands 5G’s (WM5G) mission as the UK’s first region wide 5G testbed has been to work in partnership with the public and private sectors to deliver projects promoting and accelerating the benefits of 5G throughout the region. To date we have supported businesses across industries such as manufacturing, transport, and healthcare to become more agile and competitive within the market, which will ultimately help them reach their potential and support UK job creation and GDP.

PwC anticipates that – once fully adopted – 5G will add £15 million to the healthcare sector by 2030. This will be through the enabling of greater automation, allowing more aspects of medical care or processes to be provided via digital means, both in and outside of the clinical setting. Not only will this decrease footfall in hospitals, but it will also alleviate pressure on the NHS.

Manufacturing is another key industry to gain competitive and financial advantage, being the third largest contributor to the UK economy. WM5G is supporting the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in trialling a purpose-built, stand-alone 5G network aimed at boosting resilience and productivity through innovation.  The project will help prove the suitability and advantages of 5G services for the adoption of industrial digital technology and robotics in production environments, unlocking industry 4.0 and true productivity in manufacturing. 

5G connectivity is also having an impact on the region’s roads. We have been working closely with Transport for West Midlands to deploy the UK’s first fully operational Road Sensor Network. Using 5G, the sensor network relays live traffic information to reduce congestion, identify traffic patterns and plan future developments. This installation improves road safety and reduces travel times, making the region more attractive for investment and consequently helping to build the economy. 

Similar projects to improve accessibility have been undertaken across all modes of transport, including another UK first, a 5G-connected tram which adds value to local authorities, passengers, and businesses. By connecting transport networks, we are able to deliver next generation services, that are more intuitive and responsive to the needs of passengers, making it easier to get around the region.  

It is indisputable that 5G is integral in supporting businesses in their post-Covid financial recovery by increasing efficiencies and therefore their revenue. 

In a post-Covid world it’s essential we take advantage of the surge of technological adoption of remote connected technologies that surged in the early part of the pandemic. The use of 5G aids more productive ways of working, ultimately supporting the UK’s financial recovery, creating meaningful and impactful growth trajectory for the country’s many industries.

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Bringing services to patients

It is becoming increasingly evident that the most successful solutions are going to be those that are simple and fit seamlessly into practice. 

We need effective, clear, and intuitive technologies that are ready to be applied en-masse with little or no training. Ultimately, patients need to get the right support without feeling abandoned or missing out on the care offered in clinic.

I truly believe connectivity is the key underpinning requirement for delivering this transformational change the healthcare sector needs. Connectivity enables us to unlock the true power of digital solutions across care pathways by providing ubiquitous, robust access to healthcare provision at the point of need. Rather than just being available at the hospital or clinic, these can be delivered in the community or at the patient’s home.

5G technology offers ultra-fast speeds, greater security, and lower latency (the speed from action to reaction) compared to its predecessors.

These improvements to connectivity have enabled healthcare providers to feel confident that the privacy of patient data is fully maintained while operating remotely. Likewise, 5G mitigates the very serious and potentially life-threatening risk of spotty reception or disconnection which with previous generation networks was a barrier to making digital procedures more widespread. 

Improving patient outcomes

Around 2 million patients annually have stomach or digestive complaints investigated through an endoscopy – a procedure whereby a camera is fed into the bowel or stomach to detect signs of issues such as bowel cancer, which is responsible for nearly 20,000 deaths each year.  In April of this year, endoscopy services were beginning to tackle the backlog of 187,000 patients whose procedures had been delayed due to Covid. Prior to Covid, there were already issues around waiting times due to limited capacity within clinical settings. 

For instance, through the application of 5G technology, it is now feasible for patients to swallow a pill-sized capsule camera and undertake the endoscopy process in the comfort of their own homes. 

Capsule cameras may sound familiar as similar devices have been around for some time, although self-administration at home of such devices is yet to be adopted at scale in the UK.

Following an initial virtual consultation to confirm the patient ‘s suitability for the procedure, a so called IntelliGI box is delivered to the patient’s home. This contains all the prep chemicals, camera, recording belt and a 5G-enabled device which will connect the patient remotely with the clinician, who will guide them through the prep and swallowing of the camera. 

During the procedure over 500,000 images are collected and sent via 5G directly to a hospital or specialist analysis centre where clinicians can determine any next steps. In future, AI can be paired with the remote endoscopy solution to help speed up the image analysis process relieving the demand on clinicians and supporting staff.

This means even faster identification of polyps, the precursors to cancer and other gastrointestinal issues, all while enabling more patients to get tested sooner, lessening the impact and cost of treating cancer and other gastro-intestinal diseases, and improving patient outcomes. 

As we strive to build the evidence base, we believe that a large proportion of endoscopies could potentially be undertaken remotely each year, easing the burden on the NHS and reducing stress and uncertainty for patients and help save lives. 

Better care for everyone

Technology in healthcare brings safety and freedom. Patients can better manage conditions while clinicians are able to improve patient safety through more efficient provision of care, analysis of data through access to additional expert opinion. 

The 5G connected endoscopy trial will contribute valuable insights to help establish other out-of-hospital procedures enabling more patients to receive high quality care without the need to attend a clinical setting. 

In a world beyond Covid, the NHS needs to embrace the way digital technologies can improve patient safety and 5G will be a key factor in making this happen

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2021 has seen momentum gather and our journey has paved the way for the evolution of ‘Sunderland Our Smart City Programme’, a programme committed to arming our city with the digital capabilities to improve the economy and quality of life via digital access, support, and education.

Patrick Melia, chief executive at Sunderland City Council is at the helm of leading Sunderland towards a brighter, more digitally-equipped future. After recently being appointed to the UK5G Advisory Board, Patrick joins a national network of experts, striving to ensure that the UK is at the forefront of global 5G development.

Patrick said: “Sunderland has worked tirelessly to become one of the first cities in the UK deploying a 5G ready operational network to deliver free ultrafast WiFi to key city locations making our city smarter, opening up a world of opportunity and cementing our reputation as a digital leader.”

Connecting people to places through the power of 5G

Improving connectivity across Sunderland has been a key factor to connect people, places, and businesses through 5G technology, whilst upskilling businesses and residents, alongside the development of digital resources within the region.

Our Smart City achievements over the past two years are vast and continuously expanding, with stakeholder engagement at the forefront to inform our ambitious vision and digital strategy. 

Key transformations have seen the rollout of free ultrafast public WiFi, introducing traffic-mapping transport solutions to allow real-time traffic management and inform traffic flow to being selected as one of only two location partners to deliver the Homes for Healthy Ageing Programme, which will see the implementation of a test bed exploring how technology can be used to deliver healthier homes in the city.

The nurturing and growth of partnership working has also been instrumental to us to support continued capacity in the city’s capabilities as we drive city-wide investment in next generation digital infrastructure.

Building a smart infrastructure

A partnership has been formed with Digital Catapult to deliver two local innovation challenges around transport and smart building solutions, which will see technology being used to support the City’s carbon neutral ambitions. 

A collaborative £4.8 million 5G CAL (Connected and Automated Logistics) pilot is supporting a huge stride forward in the North East, with a focus on establishing a unique centre of excellence and operational test facility to deliver the first autonomous HGV, powered by 5G.

Our recent announcement of the new BAI communications partnership is a shining example of collaboration at its best, and will see BAI build a new 5G centric network to accelerate adoption of transformative digital services for sectors including manufacturing and logistics, education and social care. 

Through the partnership and support from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership and HM Government’s Getting Building Fund, we will be able to scale our advanced smart city plan. Roll-out of this new next generation connectivity across Sunderland will stimulate economic growth and reduce digital exclusion, creating over 100 jobs.

Patrick Melia, Chief Executive, Sunderland City Council, said: “This is an incredibly significant milestone in the development and future of Sunderland Our Smart City. We are very much looking forward to our 20-year strategic partnership with BAI, as its team helps us realise our ambitions and make our goals a reality. We are confident the benefits of this partnership will reach every resident, organisation and business within our city and indeed the wider area.”

The past year has also seen further award success for us including, Winner of the Harvard 2020 Civic Innovation in Technology Award for advancements in Assistive Technology and Winner of the Digital Council of the Year 2021 Award at the prestigious Connected Britain Awards.

Significant investment has been made into our city including a £62m investment from CityFibre, £10m investment from Netomnia and Virgin Media have completed an upgrade to the existing footprint of 80, 000 properties to 1GB connections. Alongside, a government bid for £5m to support smart city infrastructure including fibre and 5G networks, enabling some of the UK’s smartest homes to be located right here in Sunderland. 

Sunderland’s digital transformation

In short, our innovative City Plan continues to future-proof Sunderland via a connected, forward-thinking approach. Investment, collaboration and innovation has led to the transformation of our reputation as a leading smart city. Our smart city initiatives will provide the perfect foundation to implement solutions from city-wide WiFi, traffic control, high-definition CCTV, an e-Mobility hub and much more, with further developments in the pipeline for 2021 and beyond to promote a healthy, vibrant and dynamic smart city of the future.

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To overcome a problem such as this we must coordinate an increasing number of changes to the ways we live, from reducing our reliance on finite resources and single-use plastics to improving the circular economy of raw materials and mitigating emissions. 

This is where the value of emerging technologies comes in. 

Facing climate change smarter

The 5th generation of mobile network technology (5G) unlocks the possibility of the ‘real-time’ response, something previous generations have been unable to deliver. 

Now, however, we finally have the power and capacity to capture and transfer large amounts of data as it’s recorded. While this may make 5G sound like an unlikely player in the green revolution, this ability makes it an incredibly important ally in tackling climate change.  

Acting as a catalyst for new technologies and modes of working, 5G will enable the adoption of smart technologies – such as Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices – to make systems more efficient.

Taking IoT devices a step further, by pairing 5G with artificial intelligence (AI), it’s possible to process incredible amounts of data as it is being recorded, which could help to autonomise and modernise processes of work.

Being able to optimise processes at scale through smart connected technologies will inevitably play a significant role in meeting local and international sustainability targets.

What is 5G bringing to the green innovation table?

With faster speeds, greater bandwidth and reduced latency, 5G is at its heart an innovation enabler, and one that could be scaled quickly and efficiently. 

On a global scale, the Coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for reliable digital connectivity. Mobile network operators are working hard to deliver and expand existing networks, upgrading infrastructure to more powerful 5G to meet increasing demand from business and remote workers.  

The infrastructure currently deployed to keep industries and people connected during the pandemic will equally power the solutions to help our environment in the future.

5G supporting our green future 

In the West Midlands, WM5G is supporting major new 5G-powered green innovations to prove the potential of advanced connectivity, data & AI and internet of things to reduce carbon emissions. We are working alongside the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) in leading England’s low carbon transformation drive, with a target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2041. 

Earlier in the year WM5G launched the Green Innovations Challenge. Led by 5PRING, the UK’s first 5G application accelerator and working in partnership with utilities provider, Suez, and the WMCA, the challenge supported 10 start-ups in their work to identify and develop proof of concepts. This included a scaling plan to demonstrate how they will drive real-world opportunities to tackle climate change.

The start-ups explored a variety of areas, from reducing pollution through optimised traffic management and improving the efficiency of energy production, to advanced asset tracking, recyclability, and deliveries.

The triallists have proved that 5G can optimise areas of work such as energy production by monitoring wind turbines in real-time to maximise productivity; optimising waste flows for more efficient recycling; or gather real time data to help residents in zero carbon buildings reduce their energy consumption.

It can make transport cleaner and more reliable too, leveraging intelligent transportation systems using radar to monitor vehicle and pedestrian flows. The information collected could go directly to an AI system which could take action and respond to traffic needs as they develop, changing signals or motorway speeds, and can build up a picture of usage over time to better manage flows long-term. 

We are currently implementing a Road Sensor Network across the West Midlands which has proven that sensors on road junctions can reduce road emissions by over 2.5% – a material change which contributes to the calculation that Digital Technology could reduce global carbon emissions by 15%, nearly one third of the 50% reduction required by 2030. 

Smart route planning apps could receive live updates for things like electric vehicle charging infrastructure or real time parking ability, which will help to make journeys more efficient. The connectivity will potentially even support the use of autonomous vehicles to enable more sustainable travel, deliveries and infrastructure maintenance.

Reaching carbon neutrality is a big, capital intensive task, but these start-ups have shown it’s possible to make environmentally conscious changes while making existing processes more cost effective.

Individually each of these concepts may not solve climate change, however as part of a 5G connected web of solutions deployed at scale, these ideas collectively contribute to reaching the goal of net zero carbon. 

I firmly believe real-time information and data exchange are key in solving climate change, an evolution made possible by 5G.

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In this webinar, Professor Adam Beaumont, Founder and Chairman of aql, alongside Richard Francis, Senior Account Manager at Network Rail, discuss how the continued work to drive productivity and increase opportunities for people across the North needs to be complemented by continued investment and development of the Northern Powerhouse’s digital infrastructure. They explore how local partnerships, the physical infrastructure and super connectivity will be essential to achieving this.

Whilst the North is yet to be recognised for its giant internet cities the likes of Paris, London or Amsterdam, by putting infrastructure in place between locations such as Leeds and Manchester, the resulting combined global network critical mass will give them that competitive edge, joining them together as the internet powerhouse of the North.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNVajjaiCQg

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A world of new possibilities awaits those willing to embark on a journey to advanced connectivity, with some already embracing elements such as connected devices, automation, and artificial intelligence. However, in order to realise the benefits of these technologies and ensure long-term productivity gains, we must lay the foundations of strong and reliable connectivity now.  

The connectivity revolution

According to the World Economic Forum, Industry 4.0 is anticipated to generate a value of £2,7 trillion worldwide by 2025. It is clear a lot could be gained by exploring how connectivity can support smarter manufacturing and improve productivity within our factories.

The UK has long been a leading manufacturing nation and today manufacturing product sales total over £358.7 billion (ONS, 2020). Around 20% of this output stems from the West Midlands, a contribution of 3.6% to the UK GVA. 

Industry 4.0 technologies – including 5G enabled solutions – will power the post-pandemic financial recovery, transforming productivity in manufacturing and allowing us to safeguard out space among leading manufacturing nations.  

Disrupt or be disrupted

The adoption of digital technology in existing and new production facilities is expected to result in significant manufacturing productivity improvements. These are estimated to be from 30% to 35% by 2030 according to the Government’s MADE SMARTER review. 

The secret to unlocking these significant improvements and paving the way towards true productivity is the improved network capabilities provided by 5G, making it a pivotal technology for manufacturers.

The fifth generation of mobile data, (5G), promises truly transformational opportunities for businesses, bringing greater capacity, lower latency, rapid and secure transfers of huge data volumes, and allowing thousands of 5G-enabled devices to be used through one network.

With a wide variety of connected devices gathering and sharing information in real time, 5G can deliver a diverse range of potential applications: from guiding autonomous vehicles to production lines that can automatically adjust processes, real time detailed quality control for produced components, and tracking of gauges and measures around the work setting.

The digital journey

West Midlands 5G (WM5G) is supporting manufacturers in their digital journeys and is working closely with leading enterprises such as AE Aerospace and specialist hubs like the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in establishing private 5G networks and trialling use cases for new, connected concepts.

One of the projects being trialled is the Vision Intelligence system, which analyses manufactured components for minor deviations and imperfections such as scratches which could result in the component falling outside of the acceptable quality tolerances. 

Combining 5G’s ability to transmit large amounts of data with AI and edge computing the system can be taught the parameters for acceptability and scan each component in the fraction of the time required for a manual check, freeing up staff to take on other responsibilities along the manufacturing plant. 

For AE Aerospace, 5G is a key component in the delivery of its ‘Glass Factory’ concept, where customers and supply chain partners can receive up-to-the-moment confirmation of where in the production process their component is. By networking machines involved in the process and utilising an advanced AI to coordinate activity, delays in production can be mitigated and accounted for, creating greater delivery certainty. 

WM5G’s work supports manufacturing businesses of all sizes from SMEs to larger-scale manufacturers, on their journey to greater productivity via Manufacturing – The Digital Journey. This series of five workshops has been designed to support greater understanding by a manufacturer of their own digital journey and help them to adopt or hasten deployment of new technologies. 

Manufacturers can join us at the step in the journey which is most loosely aligned with their current digital experience, ensuring that information provided is relevant and they’re getting the most appropriate level of support – from Digital Novice to Digital Disruptor. 

To find out more or explore how you can become achieve true productivity in your operations please visit West Midlands 5G’s Manufacturing Digital Journey page. 

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Healthcare provision as we know it will become increasingly unsustainable unless we can increase capacity and realign the burden of care from the clinic to the home or community. 

Digital technologies supported by ubiquitous connectivity will be critical in enabling this shift; offering solutions that can be applied across the spectrum of care, including preventative treatments which are increasingly important in an ageing population. 

A connected solution

Through remotely connected and monitored technologies, it is possible to react to early signs of deterioration in health and respond to patients’ needs through social prescribing, community action and at home interventions. Ultimately it is hoped that this will prevent the need for hospital admittance and we already know these kinds of interventions are often better for the patient and can produce significant cost savings.

If prevention isn’t possible we still want to help people manage their conditions more effectively, ideally in in their own homes and local communities, as long as this can be achieved without any detriment to patient care or overall health. Digital solutions have for some time now been able to help people monitor and manage ongoing conditions such as diabetes, or recording weight and activity levels. This kind of health management could equally be of relevance to many wider care applications.

Digital connectivity changing the playing field for healthcare

For this technology to be truly transformational it requires an integrated, system-wide approach with connectivity the starting point for this new paradigm. 

We are utilising our vast pool of knowledge, assets, experience, and insight into the development and deployment of advanced communications networks and creation of enabled applications. While current experience has been generated through deployment of infrastructure and the exploration of applications of 5G, the potential is far broader.

Strong, stable, and reliable connections are central to the ability to deliver care away from the clinical setting. This connectivity could support the clinician working in a mobile and agile manner or the patient in accessing and sharing real time data; or both through remote consultations. 

For instance, the NHS is currently exploring ways to improve treatment options at the scene of an incident and conduct more non-invasive procedures from the patients’ own homes under medical guidance. If we successfully unlock remote care options it would reduce the need for unnecessary admission of patients to hospital, make specialist care more readily available, and improve the safety and comfort of patients. 

The future is already underway

It may all sound like a distant future, but the reality is that trials to test, prove and deploy these kinds of solutions are already underway. In fact, West Midlands 5G has already proven the application of a 5G connected ambulance and has recently launched a pilot enabling patients to undergo colon capsule endoscopy from home, supported by a team of specialists monitoring and guiding the procedure in real time.

Care homes are another great example of where 5G technology is already making a difference to patients, protecting some of the most vulnerable individuals during the pandemic. 5G connectivity helped us place a diagnostic suite in a care home, enabling the GP to direct and control the examination from a remote location and see the patient’s reaction simultaneously. 

Remote consultations such as these improve the safety of care home residents by limiting exposure to harmful pathogens and reduce the time spent travelling by GPs, all while clinicians can ensure the highest quality of care is met. 

This is just a brief example of our work to date. The skills and experience that we have developed in showcasing the region as a hub for digital growth and development will help to drive future inward investment from organisations across the UK, playing a key role in supporting national economic and social recovery across sectors, especially healthcare. 

We are only scratching the surface of the ways in which 5G and other digital solutions can help transform healthcare. As more SMEs begin to think creatively about the possibilities around connected care, we will see application in areas from social inclusion to mental health management to remote surgical processes and implant management. This is how advanced digital connectivity will truly deliver greater care closer to home.

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