Connected Britain In-Review
Chris Newall, Clarke Connect Sales and Strategy Director
Clarke Connect and Clarke Telecom members attended this year’s Connected Britain event on the 11th-12th of September 2024 at the ExCel, London. Let me start by saying this year’s event reaffirmed Connected Britain’s status as the UK’s premier digital economy exhibition.
With a dynamic and influential range of speakers, exhibitors, and attendees from across the telecoms, tech, and infrastructure sectors, it offered critical insights into the future of connectivity and digital innovation in the UK.
At a Glance
Although there were many talks and discussions, some key takeaways from the event for me were:
Government Commitment
Sir Chris Bryant reaffirmed the new UK Government's commitment to Project Gigabit and the Shared Rural Network, aiming for full digital inclusion by 2030.
Sustainability
Discussions highlighted the telecom sector's role in driving sustainability with innovative solutions that enable greener, more efficient infrastructure.
Shift in Focus
The event showcased a growing momentum in real-world 5G and high-speed connectivity applications, highlighting how these will be transformative within smart cities and sectors, including healthcare and transport.
Future of Connectivity
A sense of optimism surrounded the event, with industry leaders recognising that telecoms infrastructure is crucial in shaping the future of the UK's digital economy.
The encouraging aspect of these key takeaways is how closely they resonate with the strategic direction and capabilities of Clarke Connect, Clarke Telecom, and Clarke EV. Each of these divisions is actively driving the innovation and infrastructure needed to support clients and the wider industry in achieving these critical milestones.
Whether enabling next-generation 5G connectivity, providing smart, sustainable solutions to industry challenges, or contributing to critical data infrastructure projects, we are committed to playing a pivotal role in shaping the UK’s digital future.
A Platform for Innovation and Collaboration
The breadth and quality of attendees, speakers, and content we encountered in our two days at Connected Britain were exceptional. The event provided a valuable opportunity to engage with key telecom and technology stakeholders and chat with our existing clients and partners; we realised there is a strong desire across the industry for collaboration. Many of our discussions this year focused on how connectivity can address societal challenges and drive innovation across various UK communities and sectors.
One of the most topical sessions was the speech by Sir Chris Bryant, the UK’s new Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms. Sir Chris highlighted that building future-proof digital infrastructure remains central to the UK’s economic growth. The government’s commitment to continue investment in Project Gigabit and 5G deployment lays the foundation for not just urban but also rural areas to thrive in a digital-first world. Additionally, we were pleased to note Sir Chris’s recognition of the need to streamline regulatory frameworks to expedite the rollout of critical infrastructure, which is vital for maintaining the UK’s competitive edge in the global digital economy.
A Shift Toward Practical Applications and Use Cases
One thing that stood out for me and my colleagues was a notable shift in emphasis at this year's show from typical technology presentations of the past to sharing of real-world, deployed use cases. Breakout sessions showcased a range of success stories, where high-speed fixed and mobile connectivity deliver many benefits. While there is a big focus on eliminating the UK's digital divide and connecting underserved areas of society, it was encouraging to regularly hear attendees' opinions that data infrastructure and 5G connectivity development are now delivering real benefits across a wide variety of sectors. With the degree of collaboration now taking place in rolling out this critical infrastructure, we and our industry can deliver significant societal and economic value.
Sustainability and Future-Proofing
Sustainability was a prominent theme, with many exhibitors and speakers underscoring the need for greener, more sustainable telecom solutions.
Discussions focused on how telecoms and IoT infrastructure can enable broader sustainability initiatives, contributing to a more efficient, data-driven, and eco-conscious society. Examples included initiatives like predictive analytics enabling proactive rather than reactive monitoring and maintenance of assets, as well as automation and optimisation of industrial processes to reduce carbon emissions.
Our partner Cornerstone showcased innovations like smart locks, IoT monitoring and new approaches to deploying mobile infrastructure, along with a focus on habitat when constructing, something everyone at Clarke Telecom supports.
Looking Ahead
Overall, the event gave a sense of optimism and forward-thinking. There was a real sense of positivity around the show, with a feeling that, as an industry, we hold the key to shaping the future of British society, connecting people, systems and data. With a continued focus on collaboration, innovation, and sustainability, Clarke Connect remains at the forefront of these transformative developments, committed to helping shape a more connected and resilient digital future for the UK.
We look forward to working with our clients and industry partners to connect the UK.