Nice to meet you

Pre-pandemic there was not a week that went by without some kind of 5G event, the virus put paid to that, Robert Driver celebrates the return of face to face meetings.

be substantial, but to do all this despite a pandemic? It speaks to the commitment, drive and leadership from DCMS down to the individual projects, organisations and people across the programme. We are of course still in the foothills of 5G, but our progress today is deeply encouraging and bodes well for the next stage of this journey as we move from innovation to early market adoption.

As I reflect on this, I realise what a huge advantage the newest tranche of projectsthe DCIA pilots and FRANC projects - really do have. UK5G is already working with DCMS to deliver in-person networking and knowledge dissemination events for these project cohorts and I fully anticipate that both intra and inter-project collaborations will be more spontaneous, easier to identify and smoother to facilitate.

HAT A RELIEF it was to hold March’s Showcase event in person. And not just because an Omicron surge reared its head in the preceding weeks; but because the last opportunity to bring all the 5G Testbeds and Trials projects together in one place, really deserved a physical gathering.

For the UK5G team, it was the first time we had all been together in one place since the pandemic and for certain team members, the marketing team in particular, the first time they had ever met in person. What I was struck by again and again over the two day event though, was just how many of the individual project teams had been operating for two years without ever meeting.

Virtual events certainly had their day during the pandemic and I’m sure will remain an ongoing part of our events repertoire but there is nothing quite like

Wbeing able to shake someone’s hand, share a quick exchange as you pass in the corridor or have a chat over coffee to really make an event sing. I so often find it is those informal, unscripted moments that make for memorable and valuable conferences. Indeed, when reading the feedback from attendees, this particular insight really resonated: “The networking ran from breakfast to after dinner drinks and one of the deals we did at the event was triggered by a drink at the bar”.

The biggest outtake for me from the Showcase therefore was that despite the huge impediment the pandemic posedfrom delivery delays, to teams having to collaborate, problem solve and innovate remotely, and key team members pulled away from innovation to focus on critical service delivery - the sheer volume and value of outputs was impressive. Genuine, societal impact was demonstrated, technologies pushed to their limits, and significant potential applications and upsides for businesses identified. Even without a pandemic, these outcomes would

There has been much written about the positives that did come out of the pandemic and a reticence to jump straight back to the way things were. In many instances, I agree with the sentiment. When it comes to the power of face to face conversation, problem solving and networking however, I think we are all thrilled to be able to return to the old way of doing things and I can’t wait to see, armed with those tools, what the new projects will achieve.

Robert Driver Head of UK5G