In 2017 the government will invest £200m to fund a programme of local projects to test ways to accelerate market delivery of new full-fibre broadband networks in time for implementation of Making Tax Digital, where the majority of businesses will be required to move online.

Hammond has also outlined plans to invest £16m in a 5G technology hub to trail and test 5G applications, in a move to make the UK a world leader in upcoming mobile technology and services.

The first phase of the strategy will invest up to £16m in a cutting edge 5G facility with the technology to run trials, delivered through cooperation between leading 5G research institutions.

A new 5G expertise group will be set up within government to oversee the programme, which will work with public and private sector partners.

The government believes that ‘the UK should be a global leader in 5G so that we can take early advantage of its potential and help to create a world-leading digital economy that works for everyone.’

The project aims to accelerate the deployment of 5G networks; maximise the productivity and efficiency benefits to the UK from 5G; and create opportunities for businesses and encourage investment.

The strategy outlines the key themes that will determine our progress towards 5G, which are:

• building the economic case
• fit for purpose regulations
• local areas – governance and capability
• coverage and capacity – convergence and the road to 5G
• ensuring a safe and secure deployment of 5G
• spectrum
• technology and standards

5G is the fifth generation of mobile communications technologies but is not yet fully developed with standards due to be agreed in 2019 and general deployment expected over the following decade.

As well as more reliable, 5G is expected to be ultra-fast and will support larger data requirements than the current 4G network.

The full strategy report on Next Generation Mobile Technologies: A 5G Strategy for the UK is available here.