Sunderland to become first city in the UK to deploy 5G ready wi-fi

The new coverage will include High Street West

The city is to become the first in the UK to deploy 5G (superfast ‘fifth generation’ telecommunications) ready WiFi, offering unparalleled upload and download speeds for phone users on the go.

New equipment installed in the city centre will create a pilot Sunderland City Centre communications ring and make 5G ready coverage available within the area of Keel Square and High Street West early in the New Year, while Sunderland City Council is working on ambitious plans to expand the network across the whole of the city.

The high-level pilot will be rolled out across early 2020 with superfast 5G ready WiFi zones, allowing internet connectivity of 1Gigabit per second and enabling far more devices to access the mobile internet at the same time with

much faster download and upload speeds.

The 5G infrastructure rollout also includes 5G connectivity at Hudson Road Primary School in Hendon, where greater Internet speeds and capacity will enable the school to transform teaching and learning for the children. Two Gentoo tower blocks in the city will also benefit from the enhanced network coverage.

City council chief executive Patrick Melia said the new hi-speed coverage would be critical for the city’s future: “We know 5G connectivity is a necessity for urban environments of the future. Our smart city vision will equip Sunderland with the digital means to transform the capabilities of local businesses and the lives of local people.

“The difference this will make to individuals across the city, as well as companies doing business here, is immeasurable. Everything we do now with smart devices will be better and faster, plus exciting innovations such as AR (augmented reality) and mobile virtual reality can be actualised.

“With heightened access to a speedy, reliable network to maximise connectivity and global business opportunities; Sunderland-based organisations will be further equipped to compete on a worldwide scale.

Equipping Sunderland to excel well into the future is a core aim of the council’s ‘Smart City Plan’, which provides the insight and blueprint to take the city forward for the next ten years and beyond.