Impact evaluation of 5GTT
SQW has been commissioned by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to deliver the final impact evaluation of the 5G Testbeds and Trials (5GTT) programme - the UK’s flagship initiative to accelerate the development and adoption of 5G technologies.
5G plays a critical role in enabling business productivity and innovation. Compared with earlier mobile technologies, it offers faster speeds, lower latency and the capacity to connect many more devices. These capabilities open up a wide range of new applications for industry, public services and consumers.
The 5GTT programme
Announced in 2016, the 5GTT programme aimed to position the UK as a global leader in 5G by supporting the development and testing of innovative real‑world use cases. It funded 38 R&D projects across a diverse range of sectors including manufacturing, transport and logistics, health and social care, and agriculture. The programme also supported the UK5G Innovation Network – which evolved into the UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN) - to help organisations collaborate and share learning.
Evaluating impact
SQW’s evaluation will assess how the programme contributed to the growth of the UK’s 5G ecosystem and the extent to which it generated wider economic impacts. Using a theory‑based approach grounded in Contribution Analysis, the study will test the 5GTT programme’s logic model and explore how and why outcomes were achieved. The evaluation will include consultations with funded projects and stakeholders, surveys of non‑applicant firms, and both business‑level and macro‑level econometric analyses.
For more information about our work on digital infrastructure and innovation, please contact Luke Delahunty at ldelahunty@sqw.co.uk.
