Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport visited North East 5G innovation centre on 30 September, days after discussing ‘The Role of Connectivity in Unlocking Opportunities for All’.
Sir Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, visited the new Digital Catapult 5G Immersive Lab in Newcastle, exploring the facility that will enable companies in the North East to scale faster. The state-of-the-art innovation lab, based in Newcastle’s Eldon Square, will help SMEs to de-risk the adoption of 5G and immersive technologies, accelerating the practical application of deep tech across key industries.
The facility will encourage SMEs to work alongside large businesses, developing proofs of concept that can solve complex business challenges. Digital Catapult is encouraging businesses in the North East from traditional industries including retail, agriculture and manufacturing, to engage with the lab, providing them with pioneering new technologies, enhanced 5G capabilities from Vodafone 5GSA, and access to expertise from Digital Catapult’s team. Vodafone 5GSA is Vodafone’s 5G Standalone programme, aiming to transform road and rail travel. Vodafone UK and Three UK promises, as part of their proposed merger, to deliver a self-funded £11bn investment to roll-out 5G SA to 95% of the population by 2030 and 99% by 2034.
Commenting on the visit, Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “This government is on a mission to generate sustained economic growth in every corner of the UK, and the Digital Catapult innovators I have met are helping us do so by leveraging regional talent to boost growth in the North East and beyond.”
Jessica Driscoll, Director of Immersive Technology at Digital Catapult, said: “Immersive technology is reshaping industries across the UK with tools and processes that come from the creative industries being used in more industrial use cases, driving innovation and unlocking new economic opportunities. The 5G Immersive Lab will be a hub that will give businesses hands-on opportunities to experiment, collaborate, and accelerate the practical adoption of technologies to drive growth.”
