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Date: 16 Apr 2025
Category: Digital Innovation
The Belfast 5G Innovation Region (5GIR) programme, led by Belfast City Council, has secured additional funding and a one-year extension from the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), following a successful first year.
In total, the council has secured £5.1 million to support the region’s transport and logistics, creative industries, construction, manufacturing and public sectors to harness the power of 5G and digital technologies to drive innovation and economic growth.
During its first year, the programme has delivered nine 5G projects with Belfast Harbour, Queen’s University Belfast’s Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), Ulster University and Studio Ulster, Translink, Stena Line, Manfreight and Retinize. Drawing on the experience of delivering these projects, the programme has also published a 5G Adoption Toolkit, offering practical advice and resources for local businesses and industries.
The programme will open a new funding competition in early summer 2025, with grants of up to £100,000 available to support more businesses and organisations in the Belfast region to harness 5G-powered digital technologies to drive operational efficiencies and increase productivity.
Councillor Ryan Murphy, Chair of the council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, said: “We know that 5G is driving innovation across key growth sectors and we want to make sure that, as a city region, our businesses are getting opportunities to explore its potential within their own sectors. Our Belfast 5GIR programme is delivering real-world innovation and impact in the region and this additional £1.3 million of funding will enable us to support even more businesses and organisations to benefit from the transformative effect of 5G and digital technologies.
“We are also working with our Belfast Region City Deal partners to build the region’s advanced wireless ecosystem, through a range of outreach and engagement activities to attract investment, build skills and capacity, share knowledge and identify opportunities for economic growth.”
Dr Adrian Johnston MBE, Chair of the Belfast Region City Deal’s Digital Advisory Board and Innovation Commissioner for Belfast, added: “Over the next few years, 5G will become the dominant wireless connectivity technology across our economy and will enable us to achieve our digital innovation ambitions in the Belfast region. City Deal partners have harnessed the DSIT funding to accelerate the development of innovative projects, from proof-of-concept right through to technology adoption, to enable key sectors in the region to benefit from 5G.
“This additional funding is a great opportunity for businesses and high-growth industry sectors to combine the unique benefits of 5G with digital technologies, such as IoT, artificial intelligence, robotics and immersive applications, to deliver 5G use cases.”
Projects funded by the Belfast 5GIR programme so far include:
Belfast Harbour is harnessing 5G to accelerate the digitalisation of port operations, including bulk freight handling and safety improvements.
Ulster University’s Studio Ulster has deployed 5G-powered remote virtual production to accelerate screen production processes.
Translink is using public 5G to enhance its transport operations and network planning.
Queen’s University Belfast is harnessing 5G to support the design and construction of its £100 million state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC).
Logistics company Manfreight is using 5G-powered technologies to enhance operations at its chilled distribution hub in Belfast Harbour.
Stena Line is using 5G-powered technologies to deliver more efficient operations at its freight trailer yard in Belfast Harbour.
Immersive technology studio Retinize is using 5G to enhance its Animotive virtual reality platform, bringing advanced motion capture technology to educational institutions and production companies.
Belfast City Council is exploring how 5G-powered technologies can support the management of office buildings, including dynamic occupancy, energy and environmental management.
The Belfast 5GIR programme, which continues until March 2026, is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology as part of its UK 5G Innovation Regions programme. It aims to drive economic growth and innovation by unlocking the opportunities presented by advanced wireless connectivity and digital technologies.
Find out more about the Belfast 5GIR programme and download the 5G Adoption Toolkit at www.smartbelfast.city