12. Will the Leader of the House make a statement on the development of 5G technology? OAQ51413

I'll be consulting on a new—. Sorry, it would helpful if I found the right question, wouldn't it, really.

We're doing quite a lot in 5G technology in Wales. We've been looking quite a lot through the city deals at developing some good test-bed pilots for 5G technology and also in the new park, the automotive park, that we've talked about. We're also using it as an adjunct to fibre broadband to see what we can do with combination technologies, and a very large part of this will be what the UK Government does with the spectrum sales. So, we'll be making a lot of representations to the UK that they shouldn't regard 5G as a cash cow, but should actually think about what part of infrastructure it might play in public roll-out of some of the new artificial intelligence technologies, particularly autonomous vehicles and so on. So, there's a lot of work to be done in ensuring that we get the right exploitative benefit, and that the UK Government actually steps up to the mark and perceives 5G, as I say, not as a cash cow, but as a very serious public infrastructure resource.

Absolutely, and I wouldn't disagree there. Others have congratulated you on your appointment to Cabinet today. We've already been working together in my role as business manager and you as leader of the house. I congratulate you on bringing digital connectivity from the ministerial benches to the frontbench. I have a kind offer to make to you to mark your new role in the Cabinet, and that is to use the Isle of Anglesey as a test bed for the development of 5G technology. People who know far more than me about digital connectivity tell me that, actually, in terms of geography, in terms of military presence—[Interruption.]—well, the fact that it's relatively flat, plus with the mountains nearby, actually, Anglesey would be a very good place to develop 5G technology. There's some good work going on at Bangor University as well in this field. I would be more than happy to facilitate in any way I can to make presentations to Government on how this could happen, but I would welcome, at this stage at least, a nod from Government that they are keen to look at test-bed areas in Wales that could include, and should, indeed, include, the Isle of Anglesey. 

We're very keen to support the development of 5G test beds right across Wales, and certainly I'm very happy to come and look, with the Member, at the possibilities on Anglesey. We are currently looking at a couple of test beds already. We've appointed Innovation Point to advise, stimulate and co-ordinate activity on 5G in Wales, including opportunities to secure funding from the test bed and trials fund. So, we'll be looking into that very shortly.

I mentioned Ebbw Vale and the automotive technology park already; also the digital infrastructure proposal in Swansea bay city region also focuses on investment in 5G technology and how applications through the city deal could support projects within the area. The Cardiff city deal is also looking at it. I would emphasise that it is important that the UK Government actually develops the proposal in the right way. We're not expecting to roll out 5G networks anywhere in the world until around 2020, so we have some time to make sure that happens. It is imperative, however, that the Government doesn't do anything that's counterindicitive to it being a really good public infrastructure resource. 

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary.