Vodafone has opened a Digital Innovation Hub in MediaCityUK to give the start-up community a head start in 5G.
Located at The Landing, Salford, the Hub will support entrepreneurs with access to network experts, technologies including IoT and high-speed fibre, and a space to work together.
As part of its multi-billion network investment, Vodafone is rolling out 5G to 19 towns and cities across the UK this year and plans to establish similar technology hubs in other locations.
At the opening event, entitled 鈥楪o Beyond鈥�, attendees heard from experts including the City Major of Salford; Shafi Ahmed, chief medical officer and co-founder of Medical Realities; Mischa Dohler, Professor in Wireless Communications at King鈥檚 College London; Tracey McGarrigan, CEO of Ansible; and Scott Petty, CTO at Vodafone UK.
They also discussed how 5G will 鈥榦pen the door鈥� to new business opportunities and what the launch of the Digital Innovation Hub will bring to the area.
Delivering her keynote speech, Anne Sheehan, business director at Vodafone UK, said: 鈥淭he Digital Innovation Hub is an example of how we are empowering today鈥檚 start-ups and small businesses with the expertise and technologies to help turn their blueprints into reality.
鈥淥ur 5G services can help UK start-ups become global leaders in their fields.鈥�
Paul Dennett, City Major of Salford, added: 鈥淲e are delighted that Vodafone has selected the city for its first Digital Innovation Hub.
鈥淪uch investment and commitment from the private sector supports our ambition to make Salford one of the world鈥檚 most attractive cities for digital enterprises.
鈥淚t will also boost the local economy and help attract new jobs and opportunities for the people of Salford, Great Manchester and beyond.
鈥淭his commitment also further strengthens Salford鈥檚 Innovation Triangle connecting MediaCityUK with the University of Salford and Salford Royal Foundation Trust, our outstanding and leading hospital in the City.鈥�