The government has announced a programme to help local authorities roll out advanced digital infrastructure in their communities.
The Smart Infrastructure Pilots Programme (SIPP) will allocate £1.5 million of funding to six local authority pilots, with the initiative being led by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Transport (DSIT). The funding will be matched by smart service providers that will collaborate with the participating authorities to procure and test multi-purpose columns and lamp posts.
The competition is open from 15 June 2023, and closes to applications on 7 July 2023. It is open to applications from UK-based local authorities.
“Through this funding, we will enable successful pilots to procure and test smart multi-purpose columns for mobile and wireless connectivity services, and other relevant uses, which will help them make efficiency savings and increase connectivity for their local communities,” said DSIT in a statement.
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Advancing wireless infrastructure
The programme supports the implementation of the government’s UK Wireless Infrastructure Strategy. Its aim is to make advanced wireless infrastructure an integral part of the UK’s economy and society by 2030. It outlines how it wants people, business and public services across the UK to realise the full benefits of 5G and other advanced wireless connectivity.
Projects applying to this competition are expected to address and meet the primary competition objective of improving the understanding and realisation of the benefits of utilising street furniture and other assets for network deployment.
The competition is focused on applying the PAS 191 standard to the design and procurement of new smart infrastructure for local authorities. The government said the programme aims to help promote greater knowledge of future demand and requirements for infrastructure and services, as well create efficiencies in network rollout; new opportunities across the supply chain; and innovative commercial models for deploying infrastructure.
