Suffolk Chamber at forefront of 5G infrastructure campaign

Suffolk Chamber of Commerce hosted the county's first 5G (fifth generation) summit on June 23 to hammer out what it needs to take advantage of the new technologies it brings - including advanced automation, data and voice connectivity.

The summit was attended by MPs, council leaders and chief executives who met with representatives from the mobile industry.

Delegates listened to a presentation from Virgin Media O2 illustrating how the good 5G infrastructure can help businesses improve efficiency and enhance customer experiences.

Gareth Elliot, the public affairs director at the operators’ trade body, Mobile UK, explained that the rollout of 5G is led by business and domestic demand.

He laid out challenges in the current planning system to rolling out masts and other infrastructure and the meeting discussed how these can be resolved.

A survey of Suffolk Chamber members showed firms were very aware of the enormous benefits of 5G. But many were worried delays in the roll-out of infrastructure could hurt their growth plans – and the county’s longer-term prosperity.

The summit agreed that a co-ordinated approach was needed to support appropriate roll-out - but identified two key barriers.

One was a lack of information about 5G among key stakeholders and the general public about its benefits and another was the absence of a coherent county-wide campaign to ensure Suffolk is 5G ready.

Paul Simon, head of public affairs at Suffolk Chamber, said: “This was a hugely significant meeting bringing together most of the key influencers within the Suffolk system with those in the 5G sector. This shows how seriously this technology is now being taken across our county.

“Suffolk Chamber - as it does in campaigning for better rail, road and EV charging infrastructure and for an improved skills pipeline to help businesses realise their growth plans - will be once again at the forefront of an important campaign.”

Suffolk Chamber is launching a 5G Digital Champions Group - reporting into its Transport & Infrastructure Group - and is inviting local councils and others to support it.

The aim is improve the awareness of the positive benefits of 5G, improve relationships between the mobile industry and planning authorities and lobby for improved infrastructure - including along the A14 Growth Corridor.