Written question asked by Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative) on Tuesday, 22 May 2018, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 6 June 2018. It was answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde (Conservative) on Wednesday, 6 June 2018 on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

5G

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to provide sufficient back-up power generation for the 5G mobile system to ensure that the emergency communication system can operate during an prolonged power outage.

Answer: As 5G technology is still at innovation stage and has not been commercially deployed yet, there are currently no national 5G networks in the UK. Once this technology is deployed, it will be built out across existing networks and complimentary to them. Widespread loss of electricity is one of the highest risks in the National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies published by government. As a result, DCMS together with Ofcom and industry take power resilience matters and telecommunications very seriously.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL8104
Session: 2017-19
Related items: Emergency Services Network
Monday, 25 June 2018
Written questions
House of Lords; Airwave Service
Monday, 25 June 2018
Written questions
House of Lords; Mobile Phones
Monday, 25 June 2018
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Emergencies Power failures 5G
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk