An Aberdeen business organisation has thrown its weight behind a bid to bring the latest communications technology to the Granite City.
Aberdeen Inspired has given its support to Aberdeen City Council’s application to the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) 5G Connected Communities project.
The bid aims to use the latest mobile technologies to meet connectivity needs in and across the city and to trial emerging 5G technologies to residents and businesses – with the aim of improving urban life and supporting the economic diversity of the city.
The city region currently has an exciting portfolio of major projects attracting considerable investment aimed at securing a sustainable economic base for years to come.
Most recently, Aberdeen has been acknowledged as ‘paving the way’ for 5G and been named Scotland’s first gigabit city through its extension of fibre to homes and businesses which has seen £40m private sector investment brought to the city.
Furthermore, the role out of 5G enabled small cell networks in high density areas of the city provides Aberdeen with a unique advantage of having the existing infrastructure necessary to enable the vital components of 5G technology applications.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “This is a very exciting proposal which could greatly enhance our city centre and of course the wider Aberdeen area.
“We represent the interests of 800 levy paying businesses and many of them have consistently expressed a strong desire to see us bring ‘5G’ to our city.
“I am very supportive of this bid as it is aligned to our objectives, the Regional Economic Strategy, and the Digital aims of the City Region Deal which proposes to deliver a city-wide ‘IoT Network’ and a Regional Data Exchange Platform.
“These will form an integral part of this bid and the city’s Smart City vision which will improve the overall competitiveness of Aberdeen to make it a more prosperous place to live, work, learn and visit. The bid also supports the city’s wider digital transformation objectives.
“Aberdeen City Council has to be commended for having a clear vision to ensure the right kind of wireless infrastructure is in place to enable a smart city to support so many aspects of the lives of our public and our many businesses.
“We are therefore confident that those who choose the successful bids will see Aberdeen has done so much in preparation and richly deserves to have the 5G accolade.”
Aberdeen Inspired is the banner under which the Aberdeen BID (Business Improvement District) operates. It is a business-led initiative within the city centre in which levy payers within the BID zone contribute.
Proceeds are used to fund projects designed to improve the business district. Due to its on-going success, the organisation won 2017 European BID of the Year in July.
More information about Aberdeen Inspired is available online at: www.aberdeeninspired.com