The UK economy could get a boost of up to £5bn a year by 2030 – with the roll-out of a better 5G network, an economic model has revealed.
The NHS is likely to benefit the most from 5G-enabled technologies, saving almost £1 billion a year – as higher-quality remote check-ups and patient monitoring reduce the need for hospital or GP visits.
Meanwhile, railway passengers could save up to five million hours a year for the next five years, as 5G-enabled sensors, which pick up problems on the lines and trains, would reduce cancellations or delays.
This time saved for passengers is worth £326 million in productivity and well-being benefits.
And in the energy sector, local councils could save £700 million over the next five years, with 5G-powered smart city lights, which detect movement to turn on or dim street lighting.
These lights could also reduce emissions by one million tonnes of CO2 – the equivalent of replacing 250,000 petrol or diesel cars with electric.
The economic modelling was commissioned by Vodafone UK, and carried out by economists at WPI Economics.
And Vodafone UK also commissioned a survey of 2,000 adults, which found 53% already believe 5G has the potential to improve their day-to-day lives.
Healthcare (31%), utilities like energy and water (21%), and railways (20%) were identified as the key sectors people think will benefit the most – and these are also the areas people feel they have been most frustrated with in the last 12 months.
A Vodafone spokesman said: “Our research shows half of the population think that technology could make their lives easier.
“For the other half, it’s up to us to bring to life the different technologies like 5G Ultra can make to everyday life – the streets we walk down, the trains we travel on, and how we look after one another.
“Our proposed combination with Three UK will give us the scale to accelerate investment in the UK’s digital future.”
The research also found people believe 5G can improve their day-to-day life more than AI or other innovative technologies, like drones.
However, some still haven’t made their mind up, with 41% of those polled, via OnePoll, reluctant to adopt new 5G technologies themselves – citing reasons including being happy as they are, and thinking things won’t improve.
And while 73% of 18-34-year-olds feel 5G has the potential to improve their day-to-day life, this drops to just 31% of 55-to-64-year-olds, the study found.
