G-FORCE
20-year deal to deliver 5G infrastructure
News
BUSINESS BRIEFS
Sunderland is set to have next generation 5G mobile infrastructure , putting it on track to become one of the UK ’ s most advanced smart cities .
Sunderland City Council has awarded a 20-year strategic partnership to BAI Communications to design , build and operate next generation digital infrastructure , including a private 5G small cell network .
The project is the next step on Sunderland City Council ’ s journey to achieve its global smart city ambition , having been awarded the UK Smart City of the Year 2020 accolade and Connected Britain Digital Council of the Year 2021 .
The new high speed 5G coverage will provide a platform for business growth and innovation , supporting the government ’ s levelling up agenda by bringing substantial social and economic benefits to its residents , businesses and visitors , including the creation of over 100 jobs .
Through the partnership , supported by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership and HM Government ' s Getting Building Fund , Sunderland will be able to scale its advanced smart city plan , allowing the city to be at the forefront of innovation and achieve true global competitiveness .
Patrick Melia , chief executive of
IAMP reaches major milestone
manufacturing park dubbed “ nationally
A significant ” by the UK government has reached a major milestone .
All of the developable land brought to market through the first phase of the International Advanced Manufacturing Park ( IAMP One ) has now been snapped up , with work now set to progress on the development of phase two .
Situated just north of Nissan UK , a total of more than 160k sq m of floor space at the 150-hectare manufacturing park – which is the product of a partnership between South Tyneside and Sunderland City Councils , supported by developer HBD – has been taken up , with phase two set to bring a further 221,997 sq m of much-needed prime industrial space to the market .
Sunderland City Council , said : “ This is an incredibly significant milestone in the development and future of Sunderland Our Smart City .
“ We are very much looking forward to our 20-year strategic partnership with BAI , as its team helps us realise our ambitions and make our goals a reality .
“ We are confident the benefits of this partnership will reach every resident , organisation and business within our city and indeed the wider area .”
Billy D ’ Arcy , CEO of BAI Communications UK , said : “ Our longterm strategic partnership with Sunderland City Council will completely transform the city , accelerating Sunderland ’ s ambitions to become one of the UK ’ s most advanced smart cities , connecting people , communities and businesses .”
BAI is a leading global provider of 4G and 5G connected infrastructure . The agreement follows the recent deal announcement with Transport for London that saw BAI awarded the concession to deliver high-speed mobile connectivity across the capital , building on BAI ’ s significant experience of deploying connectivity in highly dense urban environments across the world , including New York , Toronto and Hong Kong .
Since work completed on phase one of IAMP in November 2020 , the development has proved an attractive proposition , with manufacturing giants such as SNOP UK , Faltec already on-site , and more recently Envision AESC , which earlier this month secured planning consent for the construction of a £ 450m gigafactory battery plant , set to arrive too .
AUTO EXPO The North East Automotive Alliance ’ s ( NEAA ) flagship Expo returned to the Beacon of Light with record numbers of delegates and exhibitors .
With over 670 delegates , 124 exhibitors and 14 sponsors , the day provided an opportunity to network and gain industry insights on the key themes of electrification and industrial digitalisation .
In addition , over 110 one-to-one meet the buyer appointments took place with ten of the region ’ s automotive companies , including Nissan , Komatsu and their Tier 1 suppliers , helping to facilitate vital business connections for the supply chain .
ZERO-EMISSION DEAL Sunderland-based Power Roll and Norwegian company Inseanergy have signed an agreement to collaborate on the use of Power Roll ’ s lightweight , flexible solar film in aquaculture and maritime applications .
The partnership will combine Inseanergy ’ s proven floating photo voltaic ( FPV ) solutions with Power Roll ’ s innovative solar film to deliver new applications , improved performance and reduced costs of FPV in fish farming and other maritime applications .
KICKSTART JOBS More than 100 young people have taken their first steps towards a fulfilling career thanks to Education Partnership North East and the Kickstart scheme .
Since launching in 2020 companies such as Gentoo , South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust , Tritility , Bernicia , Roundel Manufacturing and Vaux Brewery have offered vacancies with support from the group through Sunderland College and Northumberland College who are approved ‘ gateway providers ’ for the initiative .
The scheme offers 16-24-year-olds who are receiving Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment a six-month high-quality placement so they can develop skills , confidence and behaviours to enhance their career prospects .
wear . business – the voice of business for the Wear region
| 9