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Silicon Stoke
Establishing Stoke-on-Trent’s Masterplan for a Gigabit Connected City
Stoke-on-Trent is joining a growing network of Smart Cities across the globe. In the same way that ceramics gave Stoke-on-Trent global brand recognition alongside the likes of Vallauris, Arita and Delft, now we have the opportunity to join a new network of smaller cities such as Aalborg, Eindhoven and Hobart in forging a new path in digitally enabled, sustainable growth.
Imagine a city where you could have remote access to a healthcare specialist who could assess, diagnose and potentially treat you at home, or a school lesson where you’re virtually “transported” to the surface of the moon to learn about the solar system, or a meeting with colleagues who are in different parts of the world which feels like they are in the same room as you. The technological building blocks – such as sensors, screens and processors – are already in development. These experiences are also dependent upon high capacity networks and Stoke-on-Trent City Council are making this a reality through our Citywide Full Fibre Network. The possibilities are almost limitless.
What does Silicon Stoke mean for Stoke-on-Trent?
A prospects has been launched with sets out the ambitions for the digital transformation of Stoke-on-Trent has been launched to help secure partnerships and investment into the city. The prospectus is called Silicon Stoke and casts the city as a ‘smart city’ for the UK. It outlines a number of opportunities to attract government funding and for new national and international businesses to base themselves in Stoke-on-Trent. It’s also a key part of the city’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
The prospectus outlines the areas where the city is already leading the way. This includes the completion of a 113km full-fibre network that has been laid right across Stoke-on-Trent with the opportunity for 5G connectivity citywide, supported through £8.53m of government funding, a gaming hub, a full-fibre academy at Stoke-on-Trent College, as well as a new Digital Academy.
This is about ensuring that the city takes up the opportunities for the city through digital connectivity – whether that is for businesses, residents including those receiving social care, for transport, for skills or for children and young people.
- Improved availability of broadband services
- Greater digital inclusion
- Job creation and retention
- New business start-ups
