Statistics released by the Office for National Statistics for November 2022 [1] indicated that the greatest growth within the construction industry was in the "Infrastructure New Work" category. This category saw a 4.2% increase in activity from the previous month, which we recognise as being a positive signal for the industry. It is clearly reflective of the increased confidence that operators within the construction industry have in digital innovation projects such as the UK-wide rollout of the 5G network.

5G Rollout

An announcement by the UK Government in December 2022 [2] further supports this evidence, as they have pledged to invest £110 million in next-gen wireless technology and telecoms security. This investment is not only focused upon the rollout of the 5G network, which is set to cover 100% of the UK by 2028, but funds are also earmarked to investigate and, potentially, to implement a 6G rollout programme.

The 5G rollout programme intends to promote a diverse telecoms market with more providers acting as Vertically Integrated Operators/alt net providers. This would be a major step change in challenging the current status quo within the networking industry, which is currently dominated by two main players - BT Openreach and Virgin Media.

The implementation of an increased digital networking capacity will enable better internet security and faster connections which will improve user confidence in the Internet of Things. This is important for economic advancement as it will enable more people to work remotely, representing a boost to the UK's economy as well as protecting the environment with a reduced number of vehicles on the road at peak times.

Digital Advancement In The Construction Industry

Not only does the implementation of 5G and potentially 6G networks require the use of construction companies to deliver the necessary infrastructure, but it can also deliver direct improvements to the industry itself. 

These may be in the form of financial savings as artificial intelligence could allow for planning activities such as design and architecture testing to be conducted more quickly and efficiently. Project delivery schedules could be updated in real time based on asset tracking technology and live data analytics. It may also deliver improved worker safety on site as some risky manoeuvres could be completed remotely using robotics. 

Technology may even be able to perform highly accurate tests to ensure the safety and validity of builds, reducing the "red tape" burden associated with obtaining sign off on new construction projects.

Benefits Of Digital Connectivity

Digital connectivity will bring many benefits to the industry and to the UK as a whole. The Government's pledge to level the playing field for independent network operators is welcome news that will allow start-ups and small businesses to compete, bringing valuable insight and new innovations to the industry. 

At Build Space, we are excited about the possibilities offered by digital innovation projects. We believe that they can enhance the efficiency with which projects are delivered, improve the safety and performance statistics of the industry as a whole and boost productivity. We feel that there is still much to learn about technology and the ways in which it can be exploited to increase profits, and we look forward to participating in the future of the industry.

We have access to a talent pool of digital transformation and networking specialists who are available for future tasks or short notice engagements, on long term, contract or consultant placements. They are ideally suited for supplementing existing teams where they can deliver fresh insights to those looking to advance within this sphere. 

To find out how we can help you to achieve your digital transformation objectives, please call us today.

Resources:

[1] https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/constructionindustry/bulletins/constructionoutputingreatbritain/november2022
[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-to-accelerate-research-on-5g-and-6g-technology-as-part-of-110-million-telecoms-r-and-d-package