5G in London by 2020, pledges Johnson

Smartphone owners will be able to download films to their mobiles in less than a second by 2020 as part of a roll-out that will start in London, Boris Johnson will pledge this week.

Unveiling the capital’s first long term infrastructure investment plan, Mr Johnson said the world’s first major ‘5G’ mobile network will be deployed in the city by 2020, working in collaboration with the University of Surrey.

He claimed “London is earning a reputation for being the tech capital of Europe and that is why we need to ensure every Londoner is able to access the very best digital connectivity. Rapidly improving the connectivity of this great city is a key part of the Infrastructure Plan for London.”

The mayor will also promise that much more accurate information about broadband speeds at individual properties will be made available to prospective tenants or purchasers. He will also use the data, developed with the telecommunications industry, to develop a map of where improvement is needed most urgently. He said that a mixture of new technologies, as well as traditional broadband, are likely to be needed.

The plan will lay out Mr Johnson’s assessment of London’s infrastructure needs between now and 2050, with consultation beginning on some aspects in the near future. It will be the first ever attempt to state London’s needs and how much they might cost, and will also include proposals to reform the planning system to encourage infrastructure improvements.