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CW News
24 May 2019

Rural Connected Communities Project launches with CW-led UK5G running 5 UK workshops

DCMS, working with UK5G, is running consultation in June 2019 to help define the new Rural Connected Communities (RCC) project. You are encouraged to attend one of five UK-wide workshops listed below.

As more social and economic activity, from education and healthcare to retail and business, takes place online, a lack of connectivity is an impediment to economic growth and social mobility in rural areas, whereas the economics of telecoms infrastructure deployment are challenging.

The Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review (FTIR) has considered the UK digital infrastructure market to understand investment incentives in future telecoms infrastructure, including 5G, and to establish which policy interventions are needed to deliver on Government’s future connectivity objectives. It sets out the framework and conditions necessary to underpin investment and innovation in 5G, and to deliver the Government’s commitment to have 5G coverage for the majority of the UK by 2027.

The DCMS 5G Testbeds and Trials (5GTT) Programme is a fundamental part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy, and key to delivering the objectives of the FTIR.

As part of the 5GTT Programme, DCMS is designing the new Rural Connected Communities (RCC) project, with the aim of building the business case for rural mobile connectivity (including 5G) by:

  • Identifying and testing demand-led coverage models;
  • Testing a range of innovative technical solutions and commercial approaches; and 
  • Building and proving demand through new 5G use cases.

In order to help define how RCC can most effectively do this, DCMS, working with UK5G, is running five UK-wide workshops in June 2019. CW is the lead partner in UK5G, and deliver partner KTN is driving these events.

The insights gained from these workshops are expected to lead to a funding competition later in the year.
 
The workshops are open to organisations and businesses who may be interested in taking part in Rural Connected Communities projects, including:

  • local authorities and other public service delivery bodies; 
  • network providers; 
  • technology vendors;
  • other organisations involved in the development, trialling and usage of applications, products and services.

Mobile Network Operators should not register for these workshops. There will be separate opportunities for them to engage with the project.

Participants will be updated on the latest thinking on RCC project design and will be encouraged both to provide their own insights, and to meet potential partners.

The workshops will be taking place in:
17th June : Perth, Scotland
19th June : Newport, Wales
21st June : Penrith
24th June : Belfast
26th June : Didcot

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