North West Telecoms Showcase Roundup

On 20 January, techUK hosted connectivity leaders from across the North West of England to explore the current and future needs for digital networks and what actions can be taken to increase collaboration and innovation.

Some key themes covered across all the sessions included:

Barriers to Connectivity
Our speakers examined the main challenges faced across the private and public sectors in meeting the increased demand for fast and reliable connectivity. Discussions highlighted the need for inclusive and accessible rollout of fibre and 5G networks, whilst considering some of the key characteristics and challenges of North West England.
SME Empowerment
Focus was also on how SMEs can both be supported in the uptake of and how to leverage enhanced digital connectivity to boost growth.
Public-Private Collaboration
The event underscored the importance of better coordination between businesses and local authorities, and the importance of long-term planning and ambitions for industry confidence. Discussions centred on the pivotal role the public sector must play in facilitating and supporting connectivity initiatives.

Catch up on our key highlights below. If you would like to be connected to a speaker to hear more about their work, please email [email protected].

Introduction and Keynote Speech

Following an introduction from Liverpool John Moores’ Dr Aileen Jones on the university’s role in enabling collaboration and innovation across the city region, Councillor Liam Robinson highlighted the key ambitions of Liverpool City Region (LCR) in increasing its role as a hub for innovation and economic opportunity. Councillor Robinson, LCR’s innovation lead, highlighted the key digital priorities of the region including:

Digital infrastructure
Resilient connected places
Inclusion
AI and data

Attendees were then taken through each of the priorities and the work that is currently being undertaken and the role of the telecoms sector in enabling economic growth across LCR and beyond. Councillor Robinson repeatedly stated the importance of public-private collaboration for accelerating rollout of digital infrastructure and growing both the economy and the business ecosystem across Liverpool.

Presentations: Collaborations and Updates

Following the keynote, attendees were first introduced to the work being undertaken by WHP Telecoms and Chester Council and how they are collaborating on an initiative to bring mobile connectivity to rural businesses. Both speakers lauded the importance, and associated benefits, of working together to achieve positive outcomes.

The presentation also underscored issues surrounding current network planning and how collaboration across the entire value chain, both within the private and public sectors, alongside greater use of technology and community engagement can help to overcome these problems.

The second presentation was run by Building Digital UK (BDUK), the executive agency within DSIT responsible for the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband and the expansion of mobile coverage through two major digital infrastructure programmes: Project Gigabit and the Shared Rural Network.

Attendees were shown the progress currently being made from an implementation perspective, as well as highlighting key challenges and solutions for the wider region. Such issues include:

Aged infrastructure
Commercial ‘cherry picking’ in which harder to reach premises are ignored
Wayleaves
Complexity of civil works

The presentation finally considered the next steps for Project Gigabit and the work of BDUK in overcoming the digital divide through better collaboration and sustained investment in digital infrastructure.

Fireside Chats: Liverpool and Manchester

Chaired by ITS, these firesides covered the work being undertaken by Liverpool 5G and STFC, and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to enhance digital connectivity in their respective city regions.

Participants heard the perspectives of our speakers on their experiences managing large-scale connectivity projects and engaging with communities, both the public and business, to drive adoption and innovation. Discussions also included how advanced technologies such as private 5G networks are creating opportunities in fields such as healthcare and manufacturing, as well as the importance of supporting SMEs in their journey.

Speakers shared examples of how tailored connectivity solutions helped to address specific challenges in Liverpool and Manchester’s combined authorities, and their own concerns for the future.

Digital Connectivity Across the North West

Our panel of experts, chaired by CGI, discussed the current state of digital infrastructure, identifying both successes and gaps that need to be addressed. Through these valuable insights, attendees were able to learn more on topics including avoiding overbuild, the work of local authorities in delivering programmes with connectivity at its heart and forward planning for ambitions across the region.

Building on wider points already discussed throughout the morning, the panel also addressed the importance of senior leadership buy in as essential for driving the agenda forward, alongside skills and digital champions. The topic of data centres was also considered, with conversation centred on how to expand capacity sustainably and more locally.

Accelerating Digital Transformation for SMEs in the Region

Chaired by techUK, our final panel outlined how SMEs can utilise connectivity to innovate and scale their operations, and how best they can be supported in their adoption of better connectivity.

The speakers highlighted the importance of demonstrating ROI, sharing best practices, and offering tailored support to de-risk adoption for smaller enterprises. Key barriers, such as cost, digital skills gaps, and limited awareness, were discussed alongside practical solutions like funding access, infrastructure sharing, and showcasing success stories. The panel concluded that empowering SMEs to embrace digital tools is essential to tackling regional economic challenges, improving productivity, and driving innovation.

Conclusion

The North West Telecoms Showcase was a testament to the critical role of collaboration in achieving digital transformation goals. It reinforced the importance of ensuring that connectivity projects are inclusive, addressing both urban and rural communities to drive economic growth and bridge inequalities. The event underscored that by working together, industry leaders, policymakers, and local stakeholders can unlock the full potential of digital connectivity across the region.

Exploring the Potential of Future Telecoms

Visit our Future Telecoms Hub to learn more or to register for regular updates.

Future Telecoms is techUK’s exploration of what the connectivity of tomorrow will look like. We will highlight the criticality of communications to our future prosperity and economic growth, and how the future telecoms ecosystem acts as the engine of innovation. Visit our Future Telecoms Hub to learn more or to register for regular updates.