Annual conference
Secure connections as a competitive advantage
Where does NRW stand in terms of 5G and how competitive is the federal state - one of the central questions that were the focus of the CC5G.NRW annual conference. // Photo Ludger Staudinger
In his keynote speech, Dr Andreas Müller (Robert Bosch GmbH and General Chair of 5G ACIA) emphasised the strategic importance of the future mobile communications standard 6G for the digital transformation. In the subsequent keynote speeches, a wide range of 5G applications were presented from practice: from AI-supported autonomous construction sites and future-proof alarm systems in chemical parks to real-time communication in rail transport and gigabit supply in public transport. In addition, the focus was on the current use of secure and resilient locally operated 5G mobile networks (so-called campus networks) for applications in public welfare and healthcare through to industrial applications in logistics and manufacturing. A third impulse block offered a visionary outlook on technologies in development such as "Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces" (RIS), "Cloud RAN" and the use of artificial intelligence for more efficient networks. In her closing speech, Claudia Plattner, President of the Federal Office for Information Security, emphasised the importance of secure and resilient communication infrastructures for a successful digital future for Germany as a cyber nation.
Background: This year's 5G.NRWeek
Technology sovereignty and competitiveness as well as infrastructure expansion and practical applications were the focus of the fifth 5G.NRWeek, which was organised by the Competence Center 5G.NRW (CC5G.NRW, see info box below) from 18 to 21 November. With numerous contributions from stakeholders from the innovation network, which were integrated into a varied programme of online events, workshops and discussions, the week once again offered a unique opportunity for knowledge exchange and networking in the diverse range of topics related to smart connectivity. The annual conference traditionally forms the highlight and conclusion of 5G.NRWeek.
The detailed press release on the event is available on the website of the Competence Centre 5G.NRW. A brochure with the conference programme is available for download and a recording of the annual conference is available on the 5G.NRWeek YouTube channel.
A highlight of the conference was the panel discussion, which was dedicated to the realisation of European technological sovereignty and the competitiveness of Germany and North Rhine-Westphalia as a business location.
Patron Mona Neubaur, NRW Minister of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy and Deputy Minister-President, emphasised: "We need a reliable digital infrastructure in North Rhine-Westphalia. Comprehensive 5G coverage is a key location factor and an important contribution to equal living conditions and digital participation. Mobile network coverage - and of course the availability of fibre optics - is not just a 'nice to have', but a requirement of our time. I am delighted that this has so far been driven forward by the more than 40 mobile communications coordinators in the state and that in future, state-funded digital infrastructure coordinators in districts and independent cities will focus on the expansion of the digital infrastructure as a whole."
The organisers concluded that secure connectivity infrastructures, i.e. connections, are key to maintaining technological competitiveness - as the discussions during the conference and the entire week of events clearly demonstrated. "What's more, secure, trustworthy and sustainable technologies could become a competitive advantage in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical atmosphere," said Henning Horn, Co-Head of the Competence Centre 5G.NRW.
About the Competence Centre 5G.NRW
The Competence Centre 5G.NRW (CC5G.NRW for short) is the central 5G innovation and competence network in North Rhine-Westphalia. The aim is to develop the economic, ecological and social potential of 5G and the associated digital innovations and to utilise them in various areas of society. The participating institutions want to lower the technical barriers to entry for companies and tap into the economic and ecological potential for vertical markets in sectors such as automotive and mobility, energy, food and agriculture, smart cities, health, production and many more.
The Competence Centre 5G.NRW is supported by four partners: Under the consortium leadership of the Institute for Technologies and Management of Digital Transformation (TMDT) at the University of Wuppertal, the University of Duisburg-Essen, the Technical University of Dortmund and the FIR at RWTH Aachen University are involved.
Impressions from the event
Co-leading the CC5G.NRW consortium: Monika Gatzke (left) and Henning Horn (centre) from the university of Wuppertal // Photos (6) Ludger Staudinger
Keynote at the start of the conference.
Insight into the accompanying exhibition
Networking for networking: 5G.NRWeek and the annual conference in particular bring together experts from business, science and politics.
One of the highlights of the conference was the panel discussion, including with patron Mona Neubaur (2nd from right), NRW Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy and Deputy Minister President.
Organising 5G.NRWeek for the fifth time: the team from the Competence Center 5G.NRW.
