“London is on track to become the world’s leading smart city,” said the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, at the opening of Vodafone UK’s new digital hub in London.
According to Khan, “the move to 5G has the potential to make the capital a global trailblazer in civic innovation”, and he went on to say that, “by working with providers like Vodafone, we can develop the best technologies that will boost our economy and meet the needs of Londoners, radically improving how we live and work.”
New model showcases 5G
During the opening ceremony for the hub, which has had a £6.5m refurb, and is known as The Speechmark, Mayor Sadiq Khan was introduced to an interactive smart city model of London. The model has been built by Vodafone in association with Bright Bricks to illustrate the Vodafone 5G deployment, and show how the Internet of Things will transform how the city operates.
From smart buildings, to the routing of autonomous vehicles through the busy streets of the capital, the model illustrates how the collection and analysis of data will further boost London’s reputation as a centre for tech innovation, both in Europe, and globally.
A new generation
“5G will enable a whole new generation of digital services capable of improving transportation, housing, and connectivity across the capital, said Vodafone UK CEO, Nick Jeffery. “5G will transform the way we live, how and where we do business, and improve how productive we can be at work.”
And this is a view supported by new research from Vodafone, where the company recently commissioned a former HM Treasury economist to estimate the cumulative productivity benefits that 5G could bring to the London economy. The results were impressive, with the analyst suggesting economic output gains in the region of £30bn by 2030.
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