Innovation Point, Wales’ leading digital business growth agency, today announces the first meeting of an expert group set up to prepare and shape a coherent national 5G programme in Wales which will support the wider 5GUK ecosystem and help to position Wales as a world leader in the development and delivery of 5G.
[aoa id=”1″]Fifth Generation Mobile Networks (5G) have huge global potential. They are set to make mobile and wireless communication far faster than previous generations opening up huge potential for mobile data users – think phones, automotive connectivity, personal medical devices and so much more.[/aoa]
Wales is already establishing itself as a leader in the digital innovation space, through initiatives like the compound semiconductor cluster based in South Wales – a world first in the development and large-scale production of IoT devices with widespread applications over multiple sectors and industries. 5G enabled technologies coupled with these compound semiconductors will transform the way in which our future industries grow, will inform how future digital public services engage with citizens and will help to develop the kind of social innovations which will make for more inclusive, fair and equal communities.
5G will undoubtedly be an enabler of new technologies, which can only support and accelerate wider digital opportunity across Wales. Programmes already set out by Welsh Government, such as the Tech Valleys Strategic Plan (designed to regenerate the South Wales valleys area as a globally recognised centre for the development and delivery of emerging technologies in the automotive sector) and the exciting City and Growth Deal partnerships being rolled out across Wales, could easily be early prime beneficiaries.
The expert group is made of the following members:
- Professor Simon J. Gibson, CBE – [Chair] Chairman Innovation Point, the Alacrity Graduate Entrepreneurship Foundation and Chief Executive of Wesley Clover Corporation.
- Mike Galvin – Leading on the digital project within the Swansea Bay City Deal.
- David Homer – Vice President at HPE, Enterprise Account Executive for Ericsson Worldwide.
- Dr Anil Shukla (QinetiQ Fellow)
- Phil Smith – Former Chief Executive and Chairman of Cisco UK & Ireland, Senior Independent Director of IQE, Chair of Innovate UK, Chair of the Tech Partnership, co-Chair of the Digital Skills Partnership and on the board of the Digital Economy Council.
- David Warrender – CEO Innovation Point
- Professor Paul J Tasker – School of Engineering, Cardiff University
- Professor Matt Jones – Head of The College of Science at Swansea University.
Chaired by Simon Gibson CBE, this group has a wealth of experience and includes representatives from the academic, scientific, industrial and technology sectors.
Simon Gibson said:
“The potential of 5G is significant and presents a timely opportunity for Wales to improve economic performance, people’s quality of life and the connectivity of our communities. The creation of this specialist group has been formed to ensure Wales is able to take advantage of the benefits created by 5G and establish areas where Wales can demonstrate original thinking and capitalise upon the resulting innovations.”
