Digital literacy is becoming increasingly essential across various organisations. Case in point, a BBC feature on modern workplaces shows that there’s a heightened expectation for workers to adapt to ever-changing technologies. In addition, employees are likewise required to be flexible—specifically seen in the ability to work with different devices and leverage collaborative workflow programmes. It’s no surprise, then, that digital skills were a requirement in at least 82% of online advertised vacancies in recent years. Today, business leaders are in a position to help improve their ..read more

Birmingham City Council is aiming to accelerate full fibre coverage across the city. The council has approved a proposal that will provide better digital coverage for businesses, with faster speed and lower costs. A new full-fibre digital network will target the underserved areas of the city in partnership with a telecommunications partner, ensuring that any business located in Birmingham will have access to the high levels of connectivity they need to develop and innovate their products and services. The West Midlands Tech Sector is expected to generate at least £2.7 billion for the local eco ..read more

Digital connectivity using fibre, rather than more traditional technologies, is vital for the businesses of Birmingham to compete in a global world. The pervasive use and application of digital technology and data is changing how all sectors and industries across the economy operate. The West Midlands Tech Sector is expected to generate at least £2.7 billion for the local economy by 2025. It is home to 18,394 start-ups and more incubators and accelerators than any other city outside London, has the fastest growing tech sector and has the largest 5G test bed across the UK. In order to attract a ..read more

Birmingham City Council are inviting proposals for the installation of 4G/5G Small Cell infrastructure from code operators seeking to deploy their technology in Birmingham. The Council are proactively supporting the rollout of futureproofed digital infrastructure, as set out in the Digital Strategy: 2022-2025, in order to enhance mobile and broadband connectivity to residents and businesses. We recognise that futureproofed digital infrastructure is the backbone of a modern thriving economy, driving productivity and spreading growth and in delivering effective and efficient public services ..read more

The government is on a mission to deliver lightning-fast, reliable broadband to everyone in the UK and is investing £5 billion in Project Gigabit to ensure that hard-to-reach communities are not left out. Building Digital UK (BDUK) is carrying out a Public Review to help identify areas in Birmingham and the Black Country that may be suitable for future public funding for gigabit-capable broadband. BDUK is seeking information and supporting evidence from suppliers - in relation to the presence of gigabit-capable broadband infrastructure within the project area.  They wish to hear from all ..read more

It was so wonderful to see so many partners and leading organisations from Birmingham's digital tech and innovation eco-system join us for yesterdays #B2022 breakfast event on ‘Understanding Birmingham’s Digital Offer’. Lots of conversation discussing future opportunities to develop the city's digital capabilities for all to thrive in! Thank you to Peter Bishop for chairing the event and for the invaluable insight from partners Yiannis Maos and Joanna Birch ..read more

Peter Bishop and Raj Mack will be joined by partners Yiannis Maos and Joanna Birch on 3 August for a digital breakfast briefing. Do join us to find out more about #Birmingham's digital offer; the critical building blocks that we are collaboratively putting in place and our ambitious smart city plans that makes us proud to #BeBoldBeBirmingham For more information and to register, please visit - https://bit.ly/3vcTI5M ..read more

techUK, in collaboration with its Smart City Working Group, has published a new report which outlines how cities and technology businesses are rethinking the approach to planning and delivering smart cities to overcome complexity and drive step changes in public service and infrastructure provision. Aimed towards cities developing smart city capabilities, the report – “Demystifying the Smart City – working towards better implementation” looks at fundamental steps councils must go through in the smart city value chain.  Our approach in Birmingham recognises the role the coun ..read more

It was an honour to welcome and host a government delegation from Jakarta on Wednesday visiting Birmingham along with other leading digital cities across the UK this week. Colleagues from Jakarta Smart City were keen to learn about Birmingham's smart city eco-system and to hear more of the council's digital city plans and approaches to data infrastructure and digital opportunities. The Digital City team were happy to share best practise on how the council is transforming and evolving it's digital infrastructure plans and utilising data-driven approaches to solving city challenges. It was great ..read more

This is a feature article written by partners UKAuthority News: A technology investment from 2019 is now playing a key role in developing a new customer service strategy at Birmingham City Council. Speaking with UKAuthority, its technology leadership team explain the importance of Birmingham's BRUM account, which provides city council forms and for payments and connects to the council customer relationship management (CRM) system, so citizens can manage their council tax, benefits or request services. It grew significantly in terms of citizen numbers and usage during the Covid-19 pandemic lock ..read more