Virtual Event to Explore Benefits of 5G Technology for South of Scotland

Businesses, communities and organisations across the South of Scotland are being given an opportunity to find out more about the benefits of 5G technology next month.

‘Bringing 5G into the South of Scotland’ virtual event on Thursday 9 September aims to highlight how businesses can be more productive, efficient and competitive by capitalising upon the upcoming introduction of 5G in the area.

The two-hour webinar – being hosted by South of Scotland Enterprise, the Scottish Government and The Scotland 5G Centre – will also demonstrate to attendees how 5G is a radical step-change in connectivity, and how it has the potential to deliver a wide range of social, economic and environmental benefits to the region.

In support of its message, the event will boast a wide range of engaging speakers, including South of Scotland Enterprise’s Chief Executive, Jane Morrison-Ross, alongside Paul Coffey, CEO at Scotland 5G Centre; Andy Todman, Business Engagement Manager at S5GConnect Dumfries hub which is part of the Scotland 5G Centre; BT’s CTIO for Regions and Devolved Government, Simon Haston, and Gwilym Gibbons, CEO of The Crichton Campus.

The virtual event follows the announcement in May by The Scotland 5G Centre that S5GConnect Dumfries hub would be housed at the Crichton Campus, which SOSE has supported.

The hub is Scotland’s first rural 5G connectivity hub and will combine technological expertise, academic research and local businesses, with a view to accelerate the potential of 5G in transforming local communities and the wider economy in the South of Scotland.

The latest webinar aims to replicate the success of the previous ‘Internet of Things’ virtual event co-hosted by SOSE and the Scottish Government, which took place earlier this year and had over 130 people in attendance.

Jane Morrison-Ross, Chief Executive of SOSE, said:

“Supporting businesses to adopt and benefit from digital technologies is key priority for SOSE.

“We were delighted that our last virtual event received such excellent feedback and had a great turnout of attendees.

“We hope that this event can be just as interesting and useful in terms of providing attendees with information on how digital connectivity can help transform the way in which we work in the South of Scotland.

Russel Griggs OBE, SOSE Chair, added:

“I would encourage any businesses, organisations and individuals who are interested in hearing about the opportunities 5G will bring to the area to sign up to our event on 9 September.”

Kate Forbes, Scottish Government Economy Secretary, said:

“This 5G technology can transform Scotland’s economy and society, driving economic regeneration and renewal in the South of Scotland as we rebuild from pandemic restrictions.

“This area is rich with innovative companies and organisations; events like this speed up adoption of digital tools and exploration of exciting new applications.

“With a fantastic selection of speakers from industry to social enterprises, this event is not to be missed.”

Paul Coffey, CEO of Scotland 5G Centre, said:

“5G has the capability to impact everyone and every industry – be it making safer transportation, remote healthcare, precision agriculture, immersive education, and tourism, and so much more.

“Through The Scotland 5G Centre we are aiming to help businesses understand how the technology can be applied within their sector and our first rural hub in Dumfries, part of the S5GConnect Programme, will play a key role in this and will bring more connectivity to rural areas.

“This webinar is a fantastic opportunity to find out more about 5G and its potential for the South of Scotland.”

Andy Todman, Business Engagement Manager at S5GConnect Dumfries Hub, said:

“The South of Scotland 5G Hub located at the Crichton Campus Dumfries, will bring to the region an opportunity for businesses and organisations to use a state of the art private 5G network test bed with indoor and outdoor connectivity, to explore the immense potential high-capacity connectivity can bring to transform services and business models.

“The event on 9 September brings a regional focus and will give businesses and organisations the opportunity to hear about 5G use case examples that they may wish to apply themselves to accelerate their own digital transformation.”

Those who are interested in attending Bringing 5G into the South of Scotland virtual event can register at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bringing-5g-into-the-south-of-scotland-tickets-165747409965