The #DigiCatapultLaunch at @MediaCityUK
It was great to be part of the #DigiCatapultLaunch at @MediaCityUK. To not only host it but to be part of the team running the event and marketing this great space was a real honour. As we launched the Digital Catapult’s Immersive Lab, on our sixth floor, which is the first in the UK to be 5G enabled!
It has been created through a partnership between The Landing, MediaCityUK’s tech hub specialising in high growth tech start-ups. And Digital Catapult, the UK’s leading digital innovation centre. Opened by Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.
But why be excited by 5G?
Dubbed the ‘fifth generation’ of mobile technology, 5G is due to succeed 4G technology in the UK towards the end of 2019. Whilst a successor to 3G and 4G, 5G technology is vastly different to these previous advancements. Resulting in capabilities which are going to change the way we live and work in years to come.
In fact, a report from industry analysts IHS Markit estimates that 5G will enable $12.3 trillion of global economic output in 2035. While an International Data Corporation (IDC) study estimates the amount of data created, captured, and replicated across the world could grow from 33 Zettabytes (ZB) in 2018 to 175 ZB by 2025.
The change around 5G is therefore pronounced. It is a new way of working. It will unlock new technologies and opportunities for tech start-ups around the region. As well as for more established businesses. In more traditional areas like manufacturing and logistics.
But the event wasn’t just about going 5G with Vodaphone it was about the immersive lab itself. As the lab contains a full range of AR, VR and Mixed Reality equipment. As well as green screens, providing the perfect space for both large multi-national organisations and rapid tech start-ups. To collaborate, test and create new products.
It is this collaboration point which is key for me. And echoed by GM mayor Andy Burnham who gave a keynote speech before digital innovators and VIP guests on the day. He also made a great point of emphasising how immersive and digital enabled by #5G fitted into the Great Manchester industrial strategy. Which I was lucky to be a part of and contribute to the thinking around…
“The new technologies created by and for 5G align perfectly with Greater Manchester’s industrial strategy and will help turn our ambition to be a leading digital city-region into reality.” Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham
We were also lucky to haveso many VIP’s attend and support us. Many of them then experienced the new facility first hand (which you can to here by booking in…) After that we heard from industry leaders and specialists. About the importance of immersive technologies and their potential. It was that part that I hosted and helped facilitate.
We had a great panel. In fact two panels. Including one with the marvellous Debbie Brown, Director of Service Reform at Salford City Council.
Far right… in this picture.
Who made some great points about how 5G must not leave people behind. But as she also said this is a great opportunity for the area as…
“Salford Council is an award-winning, digitally progressive council with some great ideas on what we can do with this technology. Working with The Landing and Digital Catapult is a great opportunity for our citizens.”
And it might be the areas that grab this opportunity first will win out. Which is an idea on a macro scale that more and more people are realising. That this new industrial revolution will be something amazing but only for the early adopters of the potential.
According to many analysts, whichever nation dominates the new technology will gain a competitive edge for much of this century. “This will be almost more important than electricity,” says Chris Lane, a telecom analyst in Hong Kong for Sanford C. Bernstein. “Everything will be connected, and the central nervous system of these smart cities will be your 5G network.”
And this is possible due to #5G. Whilst according to Vodafone. 5G promises device speeds around 10 times faster than 4G. Meaning high-quality, ultra-high resolution video calls downloads will be delivered even quicker to smartphones and tablets. With data transfers of less than 20 milliseconds becoming standard.
But other analyst have warned. And our panels echoed. Much of what is published about the speed of 5G is hype — especially for consumers. As most people will never need such speeds and only get them rarely. However, the point is that it will be businesses that will benefit first. Not surprising with it being an industrial revolution. With hotspots of #5G before any national rollouts. As 5G’s biggest differentiator to 4G will be as a gateway for the Internet of Things-connected world at scale. Later iterations of 5G networking are expected to be revolutionary for data-driven industries. For smart cities and infrastructure management. As it will be then possible to have many more devices working, reliably, securely and uninterrupted in the same area. As 4G can support about 4,000 devices per square kilometre, whereas 5G will support around one million. Which would be amazing around a sports stadium wouldn’t it?
So why get excited over at The Landing?
As Paul Billington, managing director at The Landing says about #5G and the new immersive lab.
“The new lab… will also enable us to host and deliver a series of new and highly innovative educational and training events as well as European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) workshops.”
As we at The Landing are continually evolving and expanding an already impressive range of high-tech facilities and attracting a growing number of multi-national corporate partners and accelerator programmes. To enhance what we are already offering to tech start-ups in terms of support and infrastructure.
So if you think that your tech company or startup could benefit from accessing this immersive lab. Or the potential of #5G then do book in a session or a tour.
However, not everything is rosy about #5G. As some people are having reservations about the implications for people’s health. Ironic as at the event, one of the main test cases for immersive technologies was in health care and health tech. The frequencies employed in 5G are higher than those of past cell phones. So opponents of 5G claim the technology’s high frequencies will make the new phones and cell towers extraordinarily harmful.
The truth could be exactly the opposite, scientists say.
As the higher the radio frequency, the less it penetrates human skin. Lowering exposure of the body’s internal organs, including the brain.
“5G emissions, if anything, should be safer than previous generations,” says Dr. Marvin C. Ziskin.
Who is a medical doctor and emeritus professor of radiology and medical physics at the Temple University School of Medicine.
So he should know. So perhaps #5G might be better for us. However, many a Russia sponsored website or troll would like us to think otherwise. Which when you think about it — is a rather clever move by them to stop the #5G roll out and win the #5G war.
Whether or not we don’t win. Will be up to us as much as the politicians. Which is why — for now — I am 100% behind the move to bring 5G to The Landing where I work. So, we can make a difference to the local economy and change the world for the better.
But am I right to be so? Do comment below….
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About the Author:
Dan Sodergren is a professional trainer and speaker. He is a digital marketing trainer based in Manchester with Great Marketing Works. He specialises in mobile and social marketing with ideas ranging from augmented reality, to RTB and back again.
He trains companies and individuals in digital, social and mobile marketing. He also sometimes gets to talk about it all on radio and is even occasionally on the BBC.
He is an early stage investor in HR tech company FLOCK and now works as head of business services and marketing at the MediaCityUK innovation tech hub — The Landing.
The Landing @ MediaCity UK is workspace, community, business support, user experience testing labs, maker lab and events. The Landing is the technology enterprise incubator for high-growth companies at the heart of MediaCityUK.
About The Landing….
· The Landing is MediaCityUK’s dedicated technology incubator hub for high-growth technology & digital start-Ups, scale-ups and SMEs.
· It provides:
- workspace (office and co-working),
- Incubator programmes,
- User Testing Labs,
- Barclays Eagle Labs,
- And our exclusive lounge and bar Social 7,
- Along with incredible technical infrastructure and connectivity.
To ensure its 100+ companies can turn new technologies into happy, sustainable businesses. The Landing contributes more than £25m a year and 1500 jobs to the Greater Manchester economy. And almost £83m to the UK economy, hosting over 10,000 delegates from all over the world every year at events, conferences, workshops and hacks.
The Landing also has roots in community, supporting 600 jobs a year in Salford. Over 100 children from Salford schools over the past year have attended workshop sessions. And over 450 Salford residents have taken part in digital skills programmes.
References:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/12/science/5g-phone-safety-health-russia.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/26/us/politics/huawei-china-us-5g-technology.html?module=inline
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/12/science/5g-phone-safety-health-russia.html
https://downtowninbusiness.com/5g-a-catalyst-for-change/
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/12/science/5g-phone-safety-health-russia.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/12/science/5g-phone-safety-health-russia.html
