The Belfast 5G Innovation Region (5GIR) programme is working with businesses, academia, and the public sector to support the adoption of 5G and other advanced wireless networks across the Belfast Region.
Advanced wireless networks are key to the development of innovative products and services across a range of industry sectors including health, manufacturing, transport and logistics, creative industries, and public services.
Led by Belfast City Council’s City Innovation Office, the programme aims to ensure that local businesses and organisations are well-placed to harness advanced wireless connectivity to help grow the economy.
They are developing resources and plans to ensure that the region becomes a leader in advanced wireless adoption.
They are also working with partners - Belfast Harbour, Ulster University and Studio Ulster, Queen’s University Belfast’s Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre and Translink - to deliver a series of commercially focused use cases that leverage 5G's potential in the transport and logistics, creative industries, construction, and advanced manufacturing industry sectors.
5G Funding Competition
To further drive 5G adoption, a new funding competition will offer a number of grants of up to £100,000 to support projects making use of 5G, or other advanced wireless connectivity, to deliver use cases that will drive economic growth and deliver outcomes in the Belfast Region. The competition is due to open in August 2024, with participating projects running through to March 2025.
The competition will be open to applicants from the following council areas: Antrim and Newtownabbey, Ards and North Down, Belfast, Lisburn and Castlereagh, Mid and East Antrim, and Newry, Mourne and Down.
Register your interest
If you’re interested in engaging in the Belfast 5G Innovation Region programme or applying to the funding competition to develop 5G use cases, register your interest at https://yoursay.belfastcity.gov.uk/belfast-5g-innovation-region
They are also keen to hear from suppliers interested in working with 5G projects in the Belfast region.
More information
For more information, visit www.smartbelfast.city
The Belfast 5G Innovation Region programme is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology as part of their UK 5G Innovation Regions programme which aims to drive innovative applications powered by 5G.
