CWC develops 5G technology for Winter Olympics 2018
The University of Oulu research unit Centre for Wireless Communications (CWC) has been selected after a competition to implement and demonstrate demanding 5G mobile technologies during the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. In this international project the role of the Finns is to develop the required 5G radio solutions and integrate them as part of a functioning mobile network.
The project is significant both in terms of its technical requirements and for international standardization. The 5G standard will be ready in 2020, and demonstrations such as this one are needed before finalizing the details. Industry and operators have set PyeongChang 2018 as the first important milestone in 5G standardization.
The Korean 5G project is the first 5G technology pilot financed by the European Union, and is part of the collaboration between EU's H2020 program and the Korean government in 5G technologies. In addition to the University of Oulu, the other partners include industry, operators and research institutes from Germany, France, Belgium and Korea. The Korean government will finance the Korean participant's costs.
The project is a continuation of the 5G Test Network project in the University of Oulu. The project develops radio technologies and novel business models to serve the needs of the future digital society.
"Oulu has long traditions in developing mobile technologies. We have managed to invest in the right kind of knowhow and research infrastructure early enough to make this project possible for us in the first place. For this the credit goes to the local industry, Tekes (the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation), and the European Regional Development Fund", says Professor Matti Latva-aho, who is directing the 5G research in the University of Oulu.
