The UK government has updated its 5G Innovation Regions programme, detailing the allocation of tens of millions of pounds to accelerate adoption of advanced wireless technologies in urban environments. According to the update, regions including Belfast, Greater Manchester, and the West Midlands are receiving grants to integrate 5G into public services and infrastructure.

In Belfast, a £3.8 million investment is being used to digitise port operations and enhance public transport planning along bus routes. Greater Manchester has been allocated £3.06 million to develop a “SMART Decarbonisation Network,” which includes the creation of smart energy grids for social housing and a digital road network designed to reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions.

The West Midlands Combined Authority is using its £3.8 million share to establish “adoption hubs” for smart communities, focusing on social care and social housing. In the North East, 5G technology is being applied to intelligent transport systems to improve the flow of freight between industrial sites and ports.

Other projects include the “Connected Heartland” in Oxfordshire, which is deploying 5G infrastructure along rail corridors, and a Glasgow-based initiative focused on net-zero social housing and health monitoring. These projects are intended to demonstrate the commercial viability of 5G in improving business productivity and public service delivery.

The programme aims to establish the UK as a leader in terrestrial and non-terrestrial 5G use cases. By “stacking” different applications on the same network—such as building management, education, and health-at-home services—local authorities intend to create more efficient and sustainable urban ecosystems.