Digital and the creative industries minister Margot James has seen how pioneering work on 5G technology being carried out in Bristol could transform the way future generations work, rest and play.
The minister toured key projects in the city that are keeping Bristol at the leading edge of 5G innovation while also strengthening its digital and creative industries. 
She met West of England Metro Mayor Tim Bowles before seeing some of the newest technology in action during a visit to Millennium Square and the University of Bristol’s Smart Internet Lab – a key part of Bristol’s growing digital agenda.
She also toured Bristol’s Engine Shed innovation hub to find out about its work with young people, including the Engine Shed on Tour project delivered with social enterprise Boomsatsuma, before concluding her visit with a roundtable featuring some of the city’s most-exciting tech start-ups and scale-ups.
At the Smart Internet Lab the minister saw the 5G network already developed by the university to establish experimentation capabilities for digital innovation. The lab is driving the 5G agenda locally and nationally and is one of three UK sites which delivered the world’s first end-to-end 5G system trials in March.
It brings together more than 200 experts across the boundaries of communications and digital living research to explore how the internet could be scaled up to respond to rapid changes in the way we consume internet services.
University of Bristol pro vice-chancellor Prof Nishan Canagarajah said: “It’s tremendously welcome and encouraging to see initiatives such as these garner ongoing interest and support. Digital innovation is already shaping the future of work, the global economy and social interaction. It’s therefore fitting that research and progress in this area is a collaborative effort between the many organisations and experts who will help us address the grand societal and industrial challenges of our time.”
The minister heard from Engine Shed director Nick Sturge about its work to support scale-up businesses and activities to ensure opportunities in the growth sectors are visible and routes into employment accessible to all young people.
She also met Boomsatsuma to hear about its alternative approach to training young people from diverse and challenging backgrounds. Companies taking part in the tech roundtable included YellowDog, GapSquare, DigiLocal, Oracle, One Big Circle, A2Z and Interactive Scientific.
Nick Sturge said: “The minister was warmly welcomed to the Bristol & Bath digital tech cluster to see first-hand what we are doing and achieving to progress our region’s inclusive economic growth strategy. It’s well known to us what a hotbed of innovation, technical progression and talent we have.”
Mayor Bowles said: “The West of England is well placed to become a smart region – we are home to the largest cluster of digital expertise outside London, and our businesses and universities are at the forefront of innovation in next generation networks including 5G.
“We’ve already received £5m from government to trial some exciting new technology which will revolutionise the way we all live, travel and work. We’re now working with our constituent councils and the University of Bristol on a bid to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Urban Connected Communities Fund.
“We believe our vibrant economy, creative culture, high tech productivity and accessible geography make us the ideal location to be the UK’s 5G demonstrator.”
Margot James added: “The next generation of connectivity has the potential to transform the digital economy and the government is committed to ensuring the UK is fit for this 5G future.
“I’ve been able to see first-hand how the University of Bristol, working with the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), is playing an important role in research and development that will unlock the benefits of 5G not just for the West of England but across our economy and wider society.”
Earlier this year WECA secured £5m from government to trial a superfast 5G network at tourist destinations in Bristol and Bath.
