It’s been an exciting few months in my role as Digital Innovation Champion for Wolverhampton City Council.
And, this week, I presented the approach to getting futureproofed infrastructure in place to become a Smart City and progress to date on Digital Innovation in the city. I thought it might be useful to provide a short update on my work and the work that we are doing to roll out our Digital Infrastructure Strategy.
There is a real focus on full fibre connectivity and 5G and the extensive economic and other benefits it can bring to the city and the opportunities for residents and businesses alike, including plans for an Application Accelerator being driven by WM5G. The Wolverhampton Digital Infrastructure Strategy, adopted by Cabinet in January, outlines our approach to supporting the rollout of futureproofed digital infrastructure across Wolverhampton and progress to date.
I’m so pleased that all four mobile operators have announced their rollout of 5G in the City, with 5G already live in some areas of the city putting us ahead of some key European cities in terms of 5G coverage.
This week, I provided the Stronger City Economy scrutiny members the chance to experience a virtual reality demonstration of the new 3D mapping tool and how it can be used to support delivery of services and hear about other exciting opportunities including Wolves eSports, the gaming arm of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club.
The city is innovating in a way which other key European cities aren’t, and I’ll leave you with something that Igor LePrince, Chair of WM5G said in September… “there’s no 5G in Paris, there’s no 5G in Munich but there is 5G in Wolverhampton.”