LAST week we had Chancellor Hammond’s first major announcement as the man behind the purse strings of the Treasury.

As the digital economy spokesman, this was an exciting occasion because it included the most important digital announcement we’ve had in the last decade.

Along with a £1 billion digital infrastructure investment, the Chancellor announced the UK Government would begin 5G trials. Experts say rollout is around five to 10 years away, but because of the potential it brings, it’s important we start preparations early.

The foundations of the digital revolution won’t be built with bricks, but wired with fibre. 

This is why last Wednesday was so significant for areas like Inverclyde.

So that leaves us with two questions: Firstly, what is 5G? Secondly, how does it benefit us locally?

Well 5G is the next leap in mobile data, except it’s faster – much faster!

It’ll likely average speeds of over one gigabyte per second (enough to download an entire serious of Game of Thrones in under a minute) although researchers in Australia have managed to get speeds of one terabyte per second (enough to download over 300 DVDs in a minute).

Its strong signals help it reach even the most remote areas with these great speeds. 

In ten years, Greenock could have some of the strongest speeds in the world. 

With that we could develop our digital economy and bring new and exciting jobs to our area. 

For example, giant data flows could help us forge more advanced shipping routes and revolutionise our harbour. 

With some innovation and creativity, Greenock and surrounding towns could have unprecedented prosperity and opportunities ahead of it.

So let’s show some optimism and start preparing for the opportunities that could await us in the next decade.