S5GConnect To Launch our Inaugural Innovation Challenge

The Scotland 5G Centre’s pioneering S5GConnect programme will be launching its first innovation challenge this Spring. The opportunity to test products in a UK first cutting-edge private 5G environment is available already at our Dumfries hub all year round, but our innovation challenge offers a suite of additional expertise and advice to drive rapid development of your product or service for compatibility within 5G environments.

The challenge programmes objective is to bring new products and services into the supply chain, or closer to market realisation to meet the needs presented by the healthcare community. The accelerator itself allows businesses to trial and validate their solution in a stand alone 5G environment and provides a fantastic opportunity to refine and maximise their product or service’s performance.

Launching in Spring 2022, the focus is on solutions that solve the challenges posed in the Healthcare sector within a rural economy. The UK, along with many other counties, is facing an ageing population – with over 65s accounting for 18.8% of the total UK population in 2021 and projected to be 25.2% by 2050.

The South of Scotland has a high proportion of over 65s living alone so supporting independent living is a key priority, as well as the requirement to address the long distances that GPs and other healthcare professionals have to travel to provide care in rural settings.

Supporting the Scottish Government on its digital ambitions and delivering true digital transformation for services must be underpinned by advanced connectivity so solutions can be deployed and reduce the pressure the strain faced by Healthcare organisations and professionals.

Who can apply and what do I receive if I win?

The competition will be open to SME’s across the UK and there will be three awards given in total. The whole package of support includes:

A 12-15 week development program including virtual classes and on-site support
Access to a cutting edge 5G testbed in Dumfries, located at The Crichton Campus.
Full provision of 1.1 technical expertise to support your solutions technological development within a 5G environment provided by leading technical specialists.
High level financial review of your product and the potential for growth in the 5G market to underpin a business case for further investment or development.
Introduction / Interactions with users and potential customers following challenge completion.
Ongoing access to S5GC business and technical support until March 2023 following completion of the challenge to further develop your product or service.

There is no financial remuneration awarded to the three winning companies. Eligibility criteria will be announced with the launch of the competition.

Why would this help my business?

Advanced connectivity is coming and 5G offers increased performance through a more reliable, secure and much faster service. 5G also has the capability to be deployed to rural and dispersed locations through new working models that addresses some of the connectivity challenges that many rural areas still face. As 5G, a technology built for industry, is better understood and increasingly rolled out this presents an incredible opportunity for businesses. Whether you have a product that works well in 4G but could be enhanced to increase the capability or output under 5G connectivity, or if you can solve a challenge or have a solution that a 5G environment can activate then this competition is for you.

You will get direct advice and support to understand the full potential of 5G and advanced connectivity, where the market is moving in the future and how your company’s product or service can take advantage of this. Combined with the opportunity to access the testbed for the full duration of the competition (12 – 15 weeks), you will be able to innovate and be guided by experts in this cutting-edge field providing a huge competitive advantage for future growth.

Sounds Interesting – How do I find out more?

Or send an email direct to info@scotland5gcentre.org

LinkedIn: The Scotland 5G Centre

Twitter: @Scot5GCentre

More information will be getting announced in Spring 2022.

The Scotland 5G Centre was set up in October 2019 as the national centre for accelerating the deployment and adoption of 5G and realising its economic and societal potential for Scotland.

The Centre enables all types of businesses to reap the benefits of this new technology. It is an innovative partnership between the University of Strathclyde (which hosts the Centre), the University of Glasgow and the Scottish Futures Trust, with investment from the Scottish Government.

It works to bring together academia, industry and government bodies to increase the adoption of 5G services; accelerate the rollout of 5G infrastructure; and to leverage advances in mobile technology to address the challenges facing rural communities in Scotland

The Centre’s S5GConnect programme is making the potential of 5G a reality through the rollout of 5G innovation hubs in urban and rural locations across Scotland.

With 3 hubs currently in place, and more to follow, each hub is tailored for its own region, with a focus on supporting key local sectors, communities, businesses and other organisations to adopt 5G. The hubs provide opportunities for collaboration and increase awareness about 5G and its capabilities.