Bridging the connectivity gap: enabling smart public services in UK cities

As UK cities accelerate their digital transformation journeys, a critical infrastructure challenge has emerged that threatens to hold back progress. With the sunsetting of legacy networks, there is unprecedented demand for alternative connectivity solutions, as thousands of devices now require new infrastructure. This technological transition, combined with the rapid proliferation of IoT-enabled public services, has exposed a fundamental gap in how we connect the devices that underpin modern cities.

The hidden infrastructure challenge

Local authorities across the UK are grappling with a massive issue. While the vision for smart cities and towns is clear, the practical challenge of connecting these endpoints affordably and reliably remains a significant barrier. Traditional connectivity solutions often fall short, being either prohibitively expensive or too slow to deploy at the scale required.

This infrastructure gap isn't just a technical problem, it's holding back the delivery of safer, more efficient public services. When councils struggle to find cost-effective ways to connect these devices, the entire smart city vision stalls.

The proliferation of connected devices in the public realm has exposed the limitations of legacy connectivity approaches. Many existing solutions were designed for different use cases and don't align with the specific demands of smart city infrastructure. Problems here include costs, deployment timelines that can’t keep pace, scalability challenges and reliability concerns.

Local government organisations have consistently reported these challenges, yet the market has been slow to respond with purpose-built solutions that address the unique requirements of public service connectivity.

The case for fit-for-purpose solutions

What’s needed is a fundamental rethink of how we approach connectivity for smart public services. The telecommunications industry must develop solutions specifically designed for the smart city use case - connectivity that is affordable at scale, rapid to deploy, and built on enterprise-grade infrastructure.

Enabling the connected city

When connectivity infrastructure is designed with smart cities in mind, the transformation potential becomes tangible. Local authorities can deploy comprehensive sensor networks to monitor air quality, noise levels, and traffic flow. Transport authorities can implement adaptive traffic management systems that respond to real-time conditions. Service integrators can connect thousands of IoT devices to deliver joined-up city operations.

The benefits extend beyond operational efficiency. Better-connected public services support climate action through optimised resource use, enhance public safety through comprehensive monitoring, and improve quality of life through more responsive city management.

Addressing the smart city connectivity gap requires collaboration across the telecommunications sector, technology providers, and local government. The density of fibre infrastructure in major cities like London creates unique opportunities for innovation. As next-generation networks reach more businesses and premises, smart cities represent a natural extension, leveraging existing capacity to serve the public realm efficiently.

Vorboss’ new solution

In response to this growing demand, we have officially launched a connectivity product specifically designed for smart city applications, built on our 100Gbps network infrastructure and leveraging PON-based technology in collaboration with Vitrifi. This approach demonstrates how established fibre networks can be extended to serve public infrastructure affordably and at scale, connecting CCTV, traffic cameras, sensors, and IoT devices with enterprise-grade reliability.

This type of innovation signals an important shift in the market. By listening to local government requirements and developing solutions tailored to their specific constraints, providers are beginning to bridge the connectivity gap that has held back smart city progress.

The UK has an opportunity to lead in smart city implementation, but only if we continue to solve the fundamental connectivity challenge. As cities continue to grow the need for data-driven, connected public services will only intensify.

The telecommunications industry must rise to this challenge, developing connectivity solutions that enable rather than constrain smart city ambitions.

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Meet the team

Sophie Greaves

Associate Director, Digital Infrastructure, techUK

Sophie Greaves is Associate Director for Digital Infrastructure at techUK, overseeing the Communications Infrastructure and Services Programme at techUK, and the UK Spectrum Policy Forum.

Sophie was promoted to Head having been Programme Manager for Communications Infrastructure and Services, leading techUK's telecoms activities, engagement and policy development. Previously, Sophie was Programme Assistant across a variety of areas including the Broadband Stakeholder Group, Central Government, Financial Services and Communications Infrastructure programmes.

Prior to joining techUK, Sophie completed a masters in Film Studies at University College London; her dissertation examined US telecoms policy relating to net neutrality and content distribution.

Email:: [email protected]
Phone:: 0207 331 2038
LinkedIn:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiegreaves/

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Phil Reid

Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy, techUK

Phil is acting Head of Telecoms and Spectrum policy at techUK, where he leads the Communications, Infrastructure and Services Programme. This focuses on promoting the benefits and innovations of connectivity and tackles the barriers of digital infrsatructre rollout.

Phil's background lies in public affairs and policy, supporting numerous organisations to navigate their policy landscape, build their political profile and engage on key issues with impact. His previous roles were predominantly in consultancy but he has also had extensive experience in establishing and manging both trade bodies and campaign groupings; leading their secretariat functions as well as their public affairs and communications activities.

Telecoms has been an ever-constant sector focus during his career, covering an array of issues such as IP-migration, broadband rollout, net neutrality, telecoms fraud, network resilience and security. He has a strong understanding of the sector ecosytem, its major policy issues and has had plenty of interaction with its key stakeholders.

Outside of work, if he's not enjoying family time with his wife and two daughters, he'll be either playing or watching some form of sport.

Email:: [email protected]

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Tales Gaspar

Programme Manager, UK SPF and Satellite, techUK

Tales has a background in law and economics, with previous experience in the regulation of new technologies and infrastructure.

In the UK and Europe, he offered consultancy on intellectual property rights of cellular and IoT technologies and on the regulatory procedures at the ITU as a Global Fellow at the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI).

Tales has an LL.M in Law and Business by the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) and an MSc in Regulation at the London School of Economics, with a specialization in Government and Law.

Email:: [email protected]
Phone:: +44 (0) 0207 331 2000
Website:: www.techUK.org
LinkedIn:: www.linkedin.com/in/talesngaspar

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Josh Turpin

Programme Manager, Telecoms and Net Zero, techUK

Josh joined techUK as a Programme Manager for Telecoms and Net Zero in August 2024.

In this role, working jointly across the techUK Telecoms and Climate Programmes, Josh is responsible for leading on telecoms infrastructure deployment and uptake and supporting innovation opportunities, as well as looking at how the tech sector can be further utilised in the UK’s decarbonisation efforts.

Prior to joining techUK, Josh’s background was in public affairs and communications, working for organisations across a diverse portfolio of sectors including defence, telecoms and infrastructure; aiding clients through stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, media outreach as well as secretariat duties.

Outside of work, Josh has a keen interest in music, painting and sailing.

Email:: [email protected]
Phone:: 020 7331 2038
LinkedIn:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-turpin/

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Bridging the connectivity gap: enabling smart public services in UK cities