Topics A group of local authorities in the West Midlands are preparing to support a number of accelerator projects on the use of 5G in smart cities. The programme is being run by the 5PRING consortium and involves providing later stage start-ups with support in developing new 5G solutions to deal with challenges around health and social care, public services, public safety, and social and events. Experts from councils in the region will provide support for the chosen start-ups in developing their proposed solutions. Organisations taking part in the programme include the local authorities for Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton, along with the Black Country Consortium and the local enterprise partnerships for Coventry, Warwickshire and Greater Birmingham.