Local 5G networks for local growth: 5G as a catalyst for regional digital economies

If you want real regional productivity gains, better local services, and more resilient communities, the answer isn’t another set of “5G coverage maps.” It starts with understanding who controls connectivity in the places where it actually matters: industrial estates, town centres, ports, campuses, public venues, and the sites that support critical local services. These are the environments where private and local 5G networks can deliver meaningful change—because they can be built around specific operational needs, not national averages.

The UK already has the policy groundwork in place. Ofcom’s Shared Access License framework was introduced to give organisations straightforward access to spectrum for local wireless networks, including the important 3.8–4.2 GHz band used globally for private 5G deployments. The government’s Wireless Infrastructure Strategy further commits to reducing barriers to private network adoption and supports regional programmes—such as 5G Innovation Regions—to accelerate take-up and maximise local economic impact.

So where does the economic value actually appear with use of local/private 5G networks? In outcomes: fewer operational delays caused by unreliable Wi Fi, safer workplaces enabled by real-time video and communications, faster planning and rollout of automation projects, and the ability to run data-intensive applications on-site. Private 5G networks can offer assured Quality of Service, enhanced security with on premise control, and coverage designed for the true physical footprint of operations—indoors and outdoors. This matters for the “everyday economy”: logistics yards, manufacturing SMEs, care settings, local authority estates, and event venues, where poor connectivity quietly undermines productivity and service quality.

For local government leaders, the playbook is a practical one:

• Spectrum: Treat spectrum as local infrastructure enablement, not a telecom niche: build awareness of Shared Access routes and partner pathways. 

• Use Cases: Anchor on 2–3 regional use cases (e.g., industrial automation, town-center safety/operations, connected public venues) and create repeatable procurement patterns.

• Innovation: Use “innovation region” style programs to de-risk adoption, then scale what works across estates and portfolios. 

The big idea is simple, local connectivity control unlocks local value creation. Regions that make it easy to deploy secure, high-performance local networks will attract more automation, more innovation trials, and more investable digital services, turning spectrum policy into tangible community-level growth.