Margot James, the UK’s Minister for Digital, launched a UK / South Korea 5G competition to help prepare for a future 5G rollout in trials set to explore the use of AR in public spaces.
Businesses can apply for the chance to live test new content and services on the Seoul metropolitan subway system in order to investigate and address user and technical challenges related to 5G rollouts.
The UK and South Korean Governments are funding the £2.4 million (approximately €2.8 million) project to support businesses in the two countries and develop 5G technology.
James said: "We want the UK to be a world leader in 5G services, and this collaboration with South Korea will create new opportunities for UK businesses abroad and encourage more inward investment. The UK has a huge pool of 5G scientific research and engineering talent, and I would encourage all businesses in this field to enter this innovative competition."
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in the UK said the trials could include the use of augmented Reality (AR) experiences in busy public spaces to give tourists and commuters new insight to the city and the way in which they experience it. Traffic management and infotainment were other mooted applications.
The programme is also hoped to promote new industry partnerships between UK and South Korean institutions to further trade opportunities for UK companies in South Korea; encourage South Korean investment opportunities in the UK, helping to diversify the UK telecoms supply chain; and greater access for UK Industry and academia to South Korean technology, hardware, software and intellectual property.
The funding competition is part of the UK’s 5G Testbed & Trials (5GTT) Programme, which aims to maximise the opportunities for UK businesses, especially SMEs, to develop new 5G applications and services for both domestic and global markets.