Wales in £4m Boost to Support 5G, WiFi and Fibre Research

The Welsh Government has confirmed £4 million to support the Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Centre of Excellence at Bangor University, which among other things will look at ways to harness existing fibre optic technology in the 5G network to “improve capacity, flexibility, functionality and services.”

The centre will broadly conduct research into digital communication systems like mobile phones, WiFi (wireless network) hubs and modern manufacturing lines. “Improvements in DSP are a cost-effective way of speeding up networks, dramatically improving the way that mobile phones, devices and network architecture work,” said the statement.

In addition to funding from the EU, Bangor University is leading the project by contributing £1,672,984 funding, with additional funding of £349,262 from private sector partners.

Jeremy Miles, Counsel General and Brexit Minister, said:

“Fast, flexible, adaptable digital systems, tailored to the needs of the user, are essential in today’s time-sensitive culture, and are vital to our nation’s development as we continue to boost productivity in the Welsh economy.

The DSP Centre of Excellence puts Wales at the very heart of innovation in this key economic sector, and positions Bangor University at the top of the ICT research industry. Collaboration between top academics from Wales and world-wide institutions, high profile international companies and Welsh and UK SMEs, will lead to ground-breaking, world class research, resulting in cutting-edge solutions to advance the global 5G economy.

EU funding continues to drive progress in R&D, science, infrastructure and skills in Wales, as well as promoting economic growth and creating new jobs. We’ve been clear that we want this funding to continue, to enable Wales to carry on leading research into new technology systems capable of running on low power, and to progress towards a more equal, more prosperous, and greener Wales.”

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