Telecommunications Track
Accelerating 5G from Lab to Life
Overview
This track focuses on unlocking the real value of 5G by pairing targeted R&D with practical, industry-ready adoption. It calls for phased transitions from legacy networks, clearer investment roadmaps, and public awareness of 5G’s real-world benefits. Growth depends on expanding B2B solutions into everyday use cases, aligning upgrades with existing infrastructure, and deepening industry–academia collaboration so university research becomes deployable innovation. Dedicated 5G labs, open-source student projects, and structured funding channels can convert prototypes into products. By adopting proven international models, where industry co-defines research topics, alongside upgraded university facilities and a culture of self-learning, the country can build a skilled workforce and position itself as a regional leader in telecommunications.
Key Discussion Points
5G Research & Adoption
5G offers immense potential, but unlocking it requires strong R&D support and smart migration from outdated 2G and 3G systems. Phased investment plans and public awareness are key to driving adoption and innovation across industries.
Telecommunication Industry Direction
Expanding beyond traditional B2B operations, the sector must embrace everyday applications and government-led digitization to accelerate growth. Achieving global broadband standards will depend on sustainable infrastructure upgrades aligned with local capabilities.
Industry–Academia Collaboration
Stronger ties between universities and industry are essential to turn academic research into real-world innovation. Encouraging an entrepreneurial research culture and bridging the skills gap will help students become industry-ready innovators.
Research Labs & Student Projects
Creating dedicated 5G labs and promoting open-source, industry-driven student projects can spark major breakthroughs. Even small investments in student research can generate high-impact results when guided by structured funding.
International Best Practices
Adopting models where companies assign research topics to universities can align academic work with industry challenges, ensuring graduates gain hands-on experience and relevant, practical skills.
University Infrastructure & Learning Culture
Modernizing university labs with 5G tools and promoting self-learning through online resources will prepare students for evolving telecom challenges, fostering a skilled and future-ready workforce.
Action Items
Accelerate 5G Transition
- Define phased legacy (2G/3G) sunset and investment plans.
- Run public awareness campaigns on tangible 5G benefits and use cases.
Grow Markets & Demand
- Extend B2B capabilities into everyday applications (consumer, public services, SMEs).
- Fast-track government digitization to stimulate 5G-enabled services.
Make Research Deployable
- Establish dedicated 5G research labs and shared testbeds.
- Frame student projects as open-source, industry-attractive initiatives with defined funding pathways.
Tighten Industry–Academia Links
- Adopt models where companies co-assign research topics and co-supervise projects.
- Create internship/apprenticeship pipelines tied to those projects.
Upgrade Academic Capacity & Plan for Sustainable Scale
- Equip university labs with current 5G hardware, tools, and measurement gear.
- Curate self-learning tracks (online resources, sandboxes, challenges) mapped to industry needs.
- Balance infrastructure upgrades with modular, adaptable use-case development.
- Track progress toward global broadband standards with clear milestones and KPIs.