Hubs to develop 5G strategy

A programme to deliver the next stage of the Scottish Government’ s 5 G strategy has been launched following confirmation of £4 million funding.

A network of hubs–the S5gconnect Programme – is to be established to support the adoption of 5G in Scotland.

The hubs will support eco - nomic growth through the deployment and adoption of 5 G services across the country.

The programme will help bridge the gap between academia, industry and government bodies to accelerate 5G deployment and the adoption of 5G services to realise its economic and societal potential for Scotland.

The S5gconnect Hubs will promote innovation and investment, working with mobile operators and private network providers to accelerate regional 5G networks and offer a private net work with advanced capabilities.

The hubs will also provide specific support packages for small businesses, allowing them to develop, prototype and test real-world exp eriments and use cases over a 5G innovation platform, offer one -to - one consultancy and professional support to develop and scale businesses.

Paul Coffey, chief exe cutive at The S cot land5GC entre, said: “We are delighted to be launching the S5GCONnect programme to day and to be able to start the process of offering businesses across Scotland the opportunity to get involved in the acceleration of 5G deployment. The role of the Scotland 5 G Centre is to act as a catalyst for bringing to get he rind ustry, academia and the public sector and this programme allows us to do that.”

The first hub will be located in Alloa, Clackmannanshire serving the wider Forth Valley region, and build son a partnership between Scotland’ s International Environment Centre, part of the University of Stirling, and telecoms group BT.