Digital Greenwich joins forces with University of Surrey for 5G smart city tests

The University of Surrey’s 5G Innovation Centre (5GIC) has partnered with Digital Greenwich to drive future smart cities innovation.

Under the partnership, 5GIC will be used as the technological foundation on which Digital Greenwich builds test beds and trials commercial smart city technologies.

The Royal Borough of Greenwich and Digital Greenwich are investigating how the council could implement “smarter” ways to cope with future challenges related to transport, health, energy and the built environment.

Rahim Tafazolli, director of 5GIC and the Institute of Communication Systems, said: “Fundamental to next-generation smart city applications is the creation of a robust communications systems. Working with Digital Greenwich will enable 5GIC to develop systems targeted at multiple use cases in a city context.

“The partnership will also provide the foundation to drive standardised solutions for all of the UK to benefit from the technology.”

Denise Hyland, leader of Greenwich council, said: “I am confident that this engagement will help strengthen our economy and deliver the best possible services to Greenwich businesses and residents.”

The partnership will use facilities and expertise at the University of Surrey in Guildford and Greenwich to deliver “smart” resource-efficient, low-carbon, healthy and liveable neighbourhoods in a city.

As Computer Weekly has previously reported, Greenwich is also among a number of recipients of a government initiative to fund autonomous vehicle pilots.

Matt Hancock, minister of state for digital and culture, said: “We want to make Britain the most digitally advanced of all nations. We are already a world leader in the development of 5G technology, so I am delighted by the new partnership between the University of Surrey and Digital Greenwich.

“Collaborations like this will help make our cities better places in which to live, work and play.”

Glasgow’s Future City demonstrator smart city programme in 2014 has shown how connected technologies such as street lights and bins can significantly reduce operational costs for local authorities.

The Greenwich initiative is expected to create new opportunities for businesses and local communities, sparking business regeneration and growth in the area.