5G will put Wolverhampton 'on the map' for investment

Councillor Harman Banger, the city's economy chief, said the roll-out would help make the city "more attractive" to businesses.

Currently, Wolverhampton has been chosen as one of the first cities – alongside Birmingham – as a test-bed for the technology.

It will be released in phases, with the aim for the majority of residents across the city to be connected by 2027.

But bosses hope their involvement with the West Midlands 5G project will help "accelerate" the connectivity.

Councillor Banger said: "Making Wolvehampton fully 5G makes us much more attractive for investment and support the delivery of our can plan.

"This is great news for the city and I'm glad we were one of the five chosen cities to be a test-bed for 5G.

"To many who may look at this, it may not be as important, but for businesses looking to invest this is a key factor – it would put us on the map not just nationally but globally.

"Certain cities across Europe would not be able to do this and this will make a it a big attraction for investment coming into the city of Wolverhampton."

Councillor Michael Hardacre, cabinet member for education and skills, said the introduction of the super-fast network would have a positive impact on the education sector.

5G offers speeds of up to 1GB with its speed, reliability and security being praised as "transformational".

It came as the council's cabinet looked to back the Wolverhampton Digital Infrastructure Strategy, which also highlighted a need to make the city have full-fibre broadband.

A total of 97 per cent of the city has superfast broadband, but full fibre – which offers more speed – covers only 0.29 per cent, a report said.