Nicola Sturgeon meets with Dr Yusuf Sambo (left) and Prof Muhammad Imran (right) at University of Glasgow. Image: Jane Barlow/PA
Following a report that 5G could enable Scotland to create 160,000 jobs and increase its GDP, Nicola Sturgeon has revealed plans to fund development across the country.
Nicola Sturgeon has said she hopes Scotland will become a leading country in embracing 5G technology. The First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party spoke in Glasgow on Monday (26 August) as the Scottish government unveiled a new plan to support use of the technology.
5G is the next generation for mobile networks and is expected to offer internet speeds several times faster than the current generation, 4G.
A Deloitte report commissioned by the Scottish Futures Trust suggests 5G could enable Scotland to add about £17bn to its GDP by 2035 and create 160,000 jobs.
‘5G offers rich potential’
Under the plan it has set out, the Scottish government proposes to fund development of 5G use across the country, as well as continuing to support current projects, along with a range of other measures.
“Our 5G plan sets out the actions we believe are needed to ensure as much of Scotland as possible shares in the vast potential growth on offer,” said Sturgeon.
“Our aspiration is to position Scotland as a 5G leader and a forward-looking digital nation.
“5G offers rich potential – opportunities to enhance Scotland’s global competitiveness, achieve economic growth and drive innovation across our public and private sectors.
“There are huge potential gains for the public sector if we embrace technologies such as 5G. We believe this will be a catalyst for further public sector transformation, enabling high quality, user-focused and efficient services that are driven by data.”
Nicola Sturgeon with PhD student John Pedro Battistella Nadas (left) and Prof Muhammad Imran (right). Image: Jane Barlow/PA
Researching the benefits
During a visit to the University of Glasgow, Sturgeon spoke to several researchers about how the technology can benefit public sectors, with a focus on the NHS.
As a former health secretary in Scotland, Sturgeon was shown how 5G can send a non-invasive blood glucose test that can be carried out and monitored by doctors miles away from where the patient is.
Delighted to welcome @ScotGovFM to UofG today. We have the infrastructure in place to become a #5G campus in the near future. Our researchers are conducting research on wide areas of 5G technology & will support teaching, innovation & research. #WorldChangingGlasgow pic.twitter.com/p8bzVIyYOx
— University of Glasgow (@UofGlasgow) August 26, 2019
Prof Chris Pearce from the university said: “5G is a next-generation network technology which is faster, has the potential to revolutionise digital communications and create real social impact in Scotland from public health to the environment.
“Our researchers, led by Prof Muhammad Imran at the University of Glasgow, are developing 5G technologies to facilitate remote health monitoring without invasive measurements and without the need for wearable sensors.
“They are also working to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions of cellular networks and are developing low-cost pop-up networks.
“These can be deployed quickly and efficiently during large sporting events or disaster scenarios to bring temporary connectivity to the area, strengthening Scotland’s resilience capacity.
“The University of Glasgow has been working with academic partners, including the University of Strathclyde and Scottish Futures Trust, on 5G and we are delighted that the Scottish government’s 5G strategy recognises the importance this technology will have in creating services and applications that will benefit our NHS, industry and people right across Scotland.”
‘A nurse can remotely diagnose using ultrasound equipment or even a surgeon can remotely operate on patients. That is what 5G will really enable in the future’
– PROF MUHAMMAD IMRAN
Imran told the PA news agency how the technology demonstrated to Sturgeon could potentially benefit the environments for assisted living and care homes.
He added: “Of course this technology will work with limited access to the network as well. It’s not just 5G that will enable these healthcare technologies. Connectivity is important. 5G will take it one step further in future.
“A nurse can remotely diagnose using ultrasound equipment or even a surgeon can remotely operate on patients. That is what 5G will really enable in the future. Scotland is on the right track to achieving all this in the near future.”
Stepping into the digital fast lane
Andrew McRae, Federation of Small Businesses Scotland’s policy chair, said: “Scotland needs to be in the digital fast lane because the next generation of mobile technologies have the potential to boost growth and drive innovation.
“Three-quarters of Scottish businesses say that digital technologies are important to their plans for future growth. But to deliver on this ambition, firms need access to the right skills and high quality digital infrastructure.
“For this reason, decision-makers in Scotland need to do everything they can to ensure Scotland is at the forefront of the 5G revolution. This new 5G strategy is a step in the right direction.”
– PA Media
