Belfast 5G Innovation Region
As our funding competition has now opened, we are no longer accepting expressions of interest.
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 in 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, the Belfast 5GIR programme aims to make sure that our local businesses and organisations in the Belfast Region are well-placed to harness advanced wireless connectivity to help grow the economy.
We are developing resources and plans to ensure that the region becomes a leader in advanced wireless adoption and we're keen to hear from businesses and organisations interested in engaging with Northern Ireland's 5G ecosystem - Register your interest.
We are also working with partners to deliver a series of commercially focused use cases that leverage 5G's potential.
- 5G Film Anywhere (Ulster University and Studio Ulster)
Unlocking ‘5G-in-a-box’ technology to connect screen production teams, filming in remote locations, to production studios in real-time via a high-capacity 5G private network.
- 5G Transport (Translink)
Exploiting advanced wireless connectivity to enable enhanced operations and network planning along the Glider bus routes.
- 5G Construction (Queen's University's Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre)
Harnessing 5G, Building Information Modelling, Digital Twin technology and Augmented Reality to support the design and construction of a state-of-the-art Factory of the Future.
Belfast 5GIR Funding Competition
To further drive 5G adoption, we are planning to launch a Belfast Region-wide funding competition that is expected to offer grants of up to £100,000 to support projects making use of 5G and other advanced wireless connectivity to develop and implement use cases which deliver outcomes and drive economic growth in the Belfast Region area.
The competition is due to open in mid-August 2024, with projects running to March 2025.
We are currently finalising the details of the competition and we are keen to hear your ideas about the types of projects you think could be funded.
The funding competition is open to businesses and organisations in the six council areas of the Belfast Region.
Find out more about the funding competition
Register your interest
If you would like to engage with us on our Belfast 5G Innovation Region programme, please complete our registration form. You can also register your interest in our funding competition.