The search for the world’s greatest 5G ideas has begun

It is estimated that the speed of data transfer in 5G mobile networks is up to a hundred times faster than what the current network technology allows. The organisers are specifically looking for ideas instead of complete technical solutions – this means that anyone can participate. The total value of prizes in the three competition categories is an astonishing €40,000. Furthermore, the finalists have the opportunity to meet financiers and product developers to discuss possible options of successfully entering the consumer market.

The 5GFWD competition takes place online and the organisers expect participants from all over the world. The winners of the three categories will be flown to a Grand Prix gala in Oulu to compete for the €10,000 Grand Prize in June 2016. The competition headquarters is also online at www.5gfwd.org.

Innovations are sought in three categories: Health Goes 5G!, Shopping Frenzy! and Easy Living & Working!

Suri of Nokia: "5G is developing faster than predicted"

The Oulu 5G Innovation Challenge is launched exactly at the right time. As Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri estimated in the recent World Mobile Congress held in Barcelona, the development of 5G is probably a lot faster than has been predicted thus far. He said that the market has already created a need for 5G, which speeds up the development. Suri mentioned self-driving cars and remote medical care as practical examples.

5G already exists in Oulu

The Oulu region is already a secure homestead for 5G. The Technical Research Centre of Finland and the University of Oulu opened a 5G test network in Oulu in spring 2015. A new testing environment for 5G will be opened at Oulu University Hospital next autumn.

This competition strengthens the Oulu region’s role as one of the international hubs in 5G development. Oulu is already known as perhaps the most notable centre of radio technology development in the world, and more than 2.6bn people use ICT technology developed in the region. The Nokia unit in Oulu has been regarded as the crown jewel of Nokia network technology development for quite some time. Nokia and the City of Oulu are the main sponsors for the competition.

Finland spearheading 5G

An open 5G test network in Oulu was just launched at the World Mobile Congress in Barcelona. It is part of the 5G Test Network Finland (5GTNF).

”Everyone who is truly interested in developing the 5G network should also be curious about what is going on in Finland. We have a unique R&D consortium and the research of mobile communications in our universities is on the cutting edge globally,” says Lauri Oksanen, Vice President of Research and Technology in Nokia Networks, about Finland’s investment in the matter.