Agriculture: 5G

(asked on 11th February 2019) - View Source

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with Ofcom on encouraging flexible licensing practices for 5G radio spectrum to support the adoption of automation and technology in the agriculture sector; and if he will make a statement.


Answered by
George Eustice Portrait
George Eustice
This question was answered on 18th February 2019

Defra is in regular contact with Ofcom about the importance of improving mobile coverage in rural areas, including future benefits of 5G. Supporting the adoption of automation and technology in the agriculture sector is of huge importance to this department.

The Government is clear that spectrum should be used efficiently and effectively. In the Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) set out the development of a set of innovative 5G services which may require more flexible approaches to spectrum licensing. The Government therefore welcomes Ofcom’s recent consultation documents on spectrum sharing and its proposals towards flexible licensing practices. Ofcom, as the national regulatory authority, is responsible for managing spectrum and ensuring that radio spectrum is used in the most effective way for all sectors, including agriculture.

Defra is also working closely with DCMS on the rollout of the Government’s 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme. This includes two rural projects - 5GRIT and 5G Rural First – which are, among other things, exploring 5G benefits for the agricultural sector.

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