Digital innovation

Digital connectivity and innovation

Whittle Arches at night

Why digital connectivity matters for investment

Digital connectivity, both mobile and fibre, is now regarded as essential infrastructure, on par with energy and transport. Reliable, high-speed networks enable businesses to innovate, adopt cloud technologies, and compete globally. Fibre broadband and 5G mobile connectivity are not just conveniences; they are catalysts for economic growth, productivity, and social inclusion. Studies show that improved broadband speeds alone could add billions to UK output, while ubiquitous 5G could unlock transformative opportunities across healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing. [smf.co.uk], [gov.uk]

For investors, strong digital infrastructure signals a future-ready economy. It supports smart city initiatives, accelerates digital services, and attracts technology-driven enterprises. Coventry exemplifies this potential. Named Digital Council of the Year 2025 at the Connected Britain Awards for the second consecutive year, Coventry has been recognised for its leadership in connectivity and innovation. The city ranks among the UK’s top locations for full-fibre coverage and is driving projects such as 5G-enabled care, AI-powered recycling, and smart energy networks

Public External Wi-Fi for Coventry

Coventry is experiencing a remarkable surge in tourism, with 2024 marking a record-breaking year for the city’s visitor economy, which reached £922.9 million. Over 11.8 million visitors came to Coventry, an increase of 3.6% on the previous year, and this upward trend shows no signs of slowing down. This growth creates a compelling case for investing in a city-wide public external Wi-Fi network, offering significant benefits for businesses, visitors, and residents alike. [visitcoventry.co.uk]

Coventry’s compact city centre and excellent fibre connectivity provide an ideal foundation. The city is already well-positioned with robust digital infrastructure, making deployment cost-effective and technically feasible. Upcoming developments like City Centre South, a major retail and leisure scheme, will further increase footfall and create vibrant public spaces where reliable Wi-Fi will be in high demand. These areas will attract shoppers, diners, and tourists who expect seamless digital access for navigation, social sharing, and mobile payments.

Adding to this opportunity is Coventry University, located in the heart of the city. With thousands of digitally savvy students active on social media, the demand for high-speed, reliable connectivity is constant. Expanding services like Eduroam into public spaces could enhance the student experience while reinforcing Coventry’s reputation as a forward-thinking, connected city.

From a business perspective, public Wi-Fi opens doors for data-driven insights, targeted advertising, and partnerships with local retailers and hospitality providers. Visitors increasingly rely on connectivity for trip planning, reviews, and sharing experiences online—activities that amplify Coventry’s visibility and attractiveness as a destination. Coventry City Council is interested in collaboration opportunities with Wi-Fi providers to enable corporate employees in council buildings, strengthening public-private partnerships.

The timing is perfect: Coventry’s tourism sector is thriving, supported by new accommodation projects and a refreshed marketing strategy aimed at attracting even more visitors. By investing in a city-wide external Wi-Fi system, stakeholders can capitalize on this momentum, enhance visitor satisfaction, and position Coventry as a digitally inclusive city ready for the future.

Footfall system

Coventry currently operates a footfall monitoring system across the main areas of the city centre. This solution relies on extrapolation and mobile phone data to estimate visitor numbers, providing a broad overview rather than precise insights. While useful for general trends, the existing approach lacks granularity. As the city experiences record tourism growth and prepares for major developments like City Centre South, the need for more detailed, real-time data is becoming critical.

A next-generation footfall monitoring solution would deliver highly accurate data, including metrics such as dwell time, movement patterns, and peak activity periods. This richer dataset would have strong commercial appeal for retailers, developers, and event organisers, enabling them to optimise layouts, marketing strategies, and measure the success of new initiatives. Furthermore, the upgraded system could be designed to integrate with a future city-wide public Wi-Fi network, creating a connected ecosystem that supports both visitor experience and operational efficiency. Combining footfall analytics with Wi-Fi authentication would unlock additional insights and monetisation opportunities, positioning Coventry as a leader in smart city innovation.

Existing IoT (Internet of Things) and LED upgrade

An Internet of Things (IoT) network connects physical devices—such as sensors, meters, and cameras—to the internet, enabling them to collect and share data in real time. This technology underpins smart city solutions, allowing infrastructure, utilities, and services to operate more efficiently and intelligently. For businesses and investors, IoT networks create opportunities for innovation in sectors like logistics, energy, healthcare, and urban management.

Coventry has taken a major step forward by deploying a LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) in partnership with Connexin and Severn Trent Water. LoRaWAN is a low-power, long-range wireless technology designed for IoT applications. Unlike traditional networks, it can connect thousands of devices over large areas with minimal energy consumption—ideal for smart city deployments.

Why is this a benefit?

  • Scalable Infrastructure: LoRaWAN provides a ready-made platform for businesses to develop IoT solutions without heavy upfront investment in connectivity.
  • Smart Utilities: Severn Trent uses the network for water monitoring, reducing leaks and improving sustainability—showcasing practical, cost-saving applications.
  • Data-Driven Services: The network enables real-time insights for sectors like environmental monitoring, traffic management, and predictive maintenance.
  • Low Cost, High Impact: Its low power requirements make it affordable and sustainable, aligning with Coventry’s green and digital ambitions.

Coventry is now replacing traditional streetlights with energy-efficient LED lanterns. These new units include Zhaga sockets, creating up to 6,000 potential IoT sensor locations across the city. This upgrade not only reduces energy consumption but also transforms street lighting into a digital backbone for smart services.

Opportunities for smart sensors and data integration

The combination of the existing IoT network and Zhaga-enabled streetlights opens the door to a wide range of applications. These sockets can host sensors for footfall monitoring, air quality measurement, traffic flow analysis, and environmental data collection, among others. Such granular, real-time data would be invaluable for urban planning, sustainability initiatives, and commercial decision-making. Retailers and developers could leverage insights to optimise site selection and marketing strategies, while the council could track policy impact and improve public services.

In the future this sensor network could integrate with other smart city systems, such as public Wi-Fi and advanced footfall analytics, creating a unified digital ecosystem. This synergy would enable richer datasets, predictive analytics, and new monetisation opportunities through partnerships and targeted services. By capitalising on the LED upgrade and IoT infrastructure, Coventry can position itself as a leader in connected urban innovation, delivering tangible benefits for businesses, residents, and visitors alike.

Small cells

Coventry is one of the UK’s leading locations for the deployment of small cell technology on street columns, designed to strengthen mobile network performance. This initiative is supported by formal agreements with Freshwave and BT, ensuring the city has access to advanced infrastructure for improved connectivity. The rollout is already underway and is expected to expand further, creating a robust platform for next-generation mobile services.

Small cells play a critical role in boosting both network capacity and coverage, particularly in high-footfall urban areas where demand for mobile data is growing rapidly. By densifying the network, Coventry can deliver faster speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connections for residents, businesses, and visitors. This improved connectivity supports digital engagement, mobile payments, and emerging technologies such as IoT and 5G-enabled applications. As the city continues to attract more visitors and invest in smart infrastructure, small cell deployment positions Coventry as a future-ready hub for mobile innovation.

Fibre Connectivity: Driving investment and business growth in Coventry

Coventry is rapidly emerging as one of the UK’s best-connected cities, thanks to significant investment in gigabit-capable fibre infrastructure. The combined efforts of CityFibre, Virgin Media, and Openreach have created a robust digital backbone that positions Coventry at the forefront of connectivity. Recent figures indicate that the city is close to achieving the status of the most fibre-connected location in the country—a milestone that unlocks substantial opportunities for external investment and business development.

Fibre connectivity is more than just faster internet; it is a critical enabler for innovation and economic growth. High-speed, reliable networks allow businesses to adopt advanced technologies such as cloud computing, AI-driven analytics, and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. For sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and professional services, this translates into improved efficiency, scalability, and competitiveness. Start-ups and tech firms, in particular, benefit from the ability to collaborate seamlessly and deliver digital-first services without infrastructure limitations.

The impact of fibre deployment is already visible in Coventry’s smart city initiatives. Enhanced CCTV systems and intelligent traffic signalling are improving public safety and transport efficiency, demonstrating how connectivity underpins urban resilience. For investors, this signals a city committed to digital transformation and future-ready infrastructure—key factors in attracting high-growth enterprises and inward investment.

With gigabit fibre now widely available, Coventry offers a compelling proposition for businesses seeking a connected, innovative environment. The city’s strategic location, combined with world-class connectivity, creates a fertile ground for technology clusters, remote-working hubs, and data-driven industries. For external investors, this is an opportunity to tap into a digitally empowered economy that is primed for sustainable growth.

Drone innovation: Coventry at the forefront of aerial technology

Coventry is rapidly becoming a national hub for drone innovation, creating significant opportunities for investment and business growth. The city is part of Project Skyway, the UK’s first drone superhighway—a 165-mile corridor designed for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. Developed by Altitude Angel with major backing from BT, this initiative enables safe, efficient drone flights for logistics, emergency response, and high-speed deliveries, setting a global precedent for advanced aerial infrastructure. [innovateox...hire.co.uk]

Local companies are driving practical applications. Skyfarer, based in Coventry, is pioneering drone services for critical sectors. Their work includes NHS trials for medical deliveries between hospitals, reducing transport times for life-saving supplies. Skyfarer also partners with Coventry City Council to enhance urban management—providing real-time traffic monitoring during major events, infrastructure inspections, and 3D mapping for planning. These services improve efficiency, cut costs, and support smarter decision-making for public services. [infinite.s...arer.co.uk], [skyfarer.co.uk]

Innovation extends to sustainability. Through a Strategic Energy Partnership with E.ON, Coventry City Council is collaborating with Kestrix, a tech start-up using drones equipped with thermal imaging to scan thousands of homes. This approach creates detailed 3D heat-loss models, enabling targeted energy-efficiency upgrades at scale. The project aims to make homes warmer, reduce carbon emissions, and lower heating costs—transforming Coventry into a living lab for green technology. [coventry.gov.uk]

In the future, drones will play a key role in last-mile delivery, security, surveying, and broadcasting live events. With strong public-private partnerships, cutting-edge trials, and a commitment to sustainability, Coventry offers a fantastic proposition for investors seeking to enter the fast-growing drone economy. The city’s leadership in aerial mobility positions it as a future-ready hub for logistics, smart city solutions, and data-driven services.

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