The 5G National Observatory is launched with 1.5 million euros in initial funding

November 29, 2018

The new 5G National Observatory, which will receive €1.5 million over the first three years (€900k from Red.es and €600k from Mobile World Capital Barcelona), was launched today. The main features and aims of the project were outlined during the event, which was attended by the Secretary of State for Digital Advancement, Francisco Polo; the general director of Red.es, David Cierco; and Carlos Grau, CEO of Mobile World Capital Barcelona.

The Observatory is the result of an agreement signed by the Ministry of Economy and Business, through the Secretary of State for Digital Advancement, Red.es and the Mobile World Capital Barcelona Foundation. It will have shared headquarters at the MWCapital premises in Barcelona and Madrid, and its activities will complement and support initiatives set in motion by the Technical Office for the National 5G Plan as part of its work in coordinating public-private synergies in deploying 5G networks and services.

Among the contributions that will be made by this initiative are standardisation and innovation, the alignment of strategies and 5G mobile technology knowledge sharing throughout Spain. Its activity will centre around three main areas of action: training and empowerment, entrepreneurship and ecosystems.

The Observatory will compile studies and reports on 5G technology, its new uses and potential impact on society and the economy, and will promote collaboration in the public-private and research sectors. It is also expected to organise an annual event for promoting 5G technology that will focus on its applicability in production sectors. Moreover, the Observatory will promote training and skill development in 5G technologies with workshops and full-day or online courses.

This initiative will be run in coordination with the National 5G Plan and complement the “España Nación Emprendedora” strategy announced on 5 October by the President of the Government of Spain. The Observatory will therefore also boost entrepreneurship and internationalisation based on this new telecommunications paradigm.

Other public or private institutions, foundations or companies that share the aim of promoting the deployment of 5G technology in Spain may also join the Observatory to share experiences and advocate for standardisation and innovation.

Federico Ruiz, who has joined MWCapital as manager of the National 5G Observatory, will lead the project. Ruiz has extensive experience in business development, R&D&i management and the creation of new hi-tech products and services.

The potential of 5G technology

5G will be the essential technological component in digital transformation. Its deployment will allow for the further development of the Internet of Things, Big Data, robotics and virtual reality and have a crosscutting impact on society and the economy over the coming decade, becoming a catalyst for attracting investment and a springboard for inclusive growth.

The European Commission estimates that the yearly economic benefits of introducing 5G technology in four sectors of activity –health, transport, utilities and the automotive industry– will increase progressively to reach €62.5 billion in the European Union by 2025. If the economic impact of improved efficiency in cities, homes and places of work is also taken into account, projected yearly benefits could reach €113 billion. Moreover, this growth would lead to the creation of 2.4 million jobs within the EU.

In Spain’s case, according to government calculations, adequate investment would obtain indirect yearly benefits in the four sectors named above of €14.6 billion from 2025.