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The IT landscape is fast evolving through various technologies, from big data, AI, connectivity and security, to driverless cars and more sophisticated cloud storage – which make up the smart cities of the future in the UK and beyond. The common theme that unites all these developments is full-fibre infrastructure, and the connectivity needed for all these applications to work.

According to Tech Advocates London, 31 out of 33 London boroughs ‘have no strategy’ for facilitating the rollout of 5G networks. And not a single borough has dedicated any budget at all to its implementation. Despite the wide publication of the vast benefits of 5G, it’s clear that many people are starting to raise the alarm. Certainly, when it comes to the UK capital’s readiness – or lack thereof- for the successful deployment of 5G.

Whilst 5G won’t be available for widespread use until the 2020s, the performance goals are unprecedented for wireless networks.  As a result, the projected performance of 5G has opened-up a debate about whether fibre optic or 5G wireless networks will be better.  But this debate is predicated on a false assumption. 

Swedish firm VX Fiber has teamed up with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to build a full-fibre network across the city – thanks to £9.2 million of Government funding. Work to install the gigabit broadband network is expected to start in parts of the Potteries next week – with the first customers connected as early as February.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is working with Swedish firm VX Fiber to build a 60-mile full fibre network across the Potteries, after securing £9.2 million of Government funding. VX Fiber will start installation in Weston Coyney next week, followed by Meir, Longton, Shelton and Bentilee, with first customers due to be connected by February.

According to Frost and Sullivan’s smart cities report, the global market is forecast to be worth a staggering $1.56 trillion by 2025. This perhaps comes as no surprise given the continuous rise in the number of smart cities being ‘created’ world-wide, from Amsterdam, Dublin and Peterborough, to Dubai, Taipei and New York City.

The Northern Powerhouse is the UK government’s response to the demand from businesses, organisations and communities that there needs to be a little more focus on investment outside of the capital and beyond the South of England. It is made up of six of the UK’s northern cities – Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Hull and Newcastle.

From Lahore, Shanghai and New York City, to Barcelona, Manchester and Milton Keynes, we’re seeing an exponential rise in the number of smart cities being ‘created’ globally, with the intention of making citizens’ lives more convenient, secure and sustainable.

Last week saw Bristol unlock its doors to a well-connected future with the Bristol | Sweden Future Cities Summit, which centred on how to become a truly smart city. With a raft of inspiring speakers ranging from Bristol City Council and Bristol Energy to Volvo and Business Sweden, the event was a positive and productive day focused on how to achieve the city’s main objective: to take charge of its digital destiny.

Whether it’s stories about people being treated like ‘lab rats in a surveillance experiment’ or research claiming that up to 20 million global manufacturing jobs could be replaced by robots in the next ten years, it would seem that technology being designed to enhance our lives is receiving constant criticism and demonisation.