Background
The UK government launched the 5G Testbeds and Trials (5GTT) Programme in 2017 to accelerate the deployment and adoption of 5G technology. With £199 million allocated and £140.1 million invested across 37 projects, the programme aimed to stimulate innovation, reduce deployment barriers and build a thriving 5G ecosystem. It supported a wide range of sectoral pilots and the creation of the UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN, formerly UK5G) to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
Fortia Insight (previously RSM UK Consulting LLP) delivered the interim evaluation of the programme, assessing its effectiveness, efficiency and early impacts. The evaluation was conducted while many projects were concluding, with a final evaluation planned for 2025.
Fortia Insight’s interim evaluation has had a strategic influence on the UK’s digital policy and programme design.
- Informed policy adjustments: the findings have been used by DCMS (now the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)) to refine financial processes, streamline change request workflows and improve programme management for future digital infrastructure initiatives.
- Shaped future funding calls: insights from the evaluation have guided the design of successor programmes such as FRANC and Open Networks, ensuring better alignment with sector needs and innovation dynamics.
- Supported strategic planning: the report has contributed to the UK’s positioning as a global leader in 5G, reinforcing its reputation and attracting further private-sector investment.
- Groundwork for final evaluation: our work has established a robust foundation for the 2025 final evaluation, including recommendations for cost–benefit analysis, stakeholder case studies and improved data collection frameworks.
Challenges
- Attributing impact in a dynamic innovation environment: we applied a theory-based evaluation approach to trace causal pathways and assess early outcomes, despite the absence of a robust counterfactual and the evolving nature of many projects.
- Capturing sectoral and geographic diversity: with projects spanning public and private sectors, urban and rural areas and a wide range of use cases, we developed a flexible framework to ensure meaningful insights across all contexts.
- Engaging a broad stakeholder base: we conducted interviews and surveys with programme designers, delivery teams, funded and non-funded companies and public-sector stakeholders to ensure a balanced and inclusive evaluation.
- Synthesising mixed data sources: the team integrated qualitative and quantitative data from 37 projects, including over 1300 private sector participants, 101 public sector stakeholders and 65 university departments.
- Evaluating in real time: we assessed progress and potential while projects were still under way, using interim indicators and proxy measures to evaluate early-stage outcomes.
Impacts
- Strong programme design and support: funding competitions were well-targeted, and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) support – particularly from Technical Design Authorities – was highly valued by project teams.
- Significant ecosystem development: the programme fostered collaboration across sectors and regions, with 345 use cases identified and 107 networks deployed, 70 of which remained active post-project.
- Innovation and market readiness: over half of the projects brought a solution to market, and 78% adopted process innovations. The average technology readiness level increased by 1.7 points.
- Economic leverage: the programme generated £262.8 million in follow-on investment, leveraging £1.65 for every £1 of public funding.
- Community and environmental benefits: almost 20 projects delivered community benefits; 13 had measurable environmental impacts, including in transport and energy efficiency.