Bandung, Indonesia – January 16th, 2023 – The School of Engineering and Informatics at Bandung Institute of Technology (STEI ITB) and PT Huawei Tech Investment today announced the official launch of the xG Research Center of Use Cases and Applications (“xG Research Center“). This cutting-edge research facility, established through a collaboration that began in November 2022, aims to accelerate the development and adoption of 5G technology in Indonesia.

Building a Foundation for Innovation

From November 2022 to December 2022, STEI ITB and Huawei focused on establishing the necessary infrastructure for the xG Research Center. This included renovating and equipping a dedicated research space, procuring advanced devices and equipment, and assembling a team of expert researchers. The Center is now fully operational and ready to embark on its mission to explore the vast potential of 5G and future mobile network technologies.

Global Trend of Industry-Academia Collaboration

The xG Research Center is part of a growing global trend of collaboration between telecommunications companies and universities to accelerate 5G innovation. These partnerships combine academic expertise with industry resources to drive technological advancement. For example:

• In Spain, Telefónica and the IMDEA Networks Institute created 5TONIC, an open research lab that brings together industry and academia to develop 5G technologies for network virtualization, edge computing, and the Internet of Things. This collaboration fosters innovation and speeds up the development of practical 5G solutions.
• The University of Surrey 5G Innovation Centre in the UK partners with leading tech companies like Huawei, Samsung, and Vodafone to research and develop 5G applications for connected vehicles, smart cities, and digital healthcare. This collaborative approach ensures that academic research is aligned with industry needs and contributes to real-world solutions.
• In Germany, the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute and Deutsche Telekom joined forces to establish a research lab dedicated to advancing 5G network technologies. Their work includes developing cutting-edge antenna technology, optimizing signal processing, and enhancing network performance.

These examples showcase the power of industry-academia partnerships in driving 5G innovation and demonstrate that the xG Research Center is part of a global movement towards a connected future.

5G’s Contribution to Economic Growth

Studies have shown that 5G technology can significantly contribute to a country’s GDP by enabling new industries, improving productivity, and creating jobs. For instance, a report by Qualcomm and Oxford Economics found that 5G could boost global productivity by 1.7% of global GDP in 2030, equivalent to 10% of global GDP growth in that period.

The xG Research Center aims to replicate this success in Indonesia. By focusing on developing practical use cases and applications for 5G, the Center will help unlock the technology’s full potential to drive economic growth, improve public services, and enhance the quality of life for Indonesians.

About the xG Research Center

The xG Research Center is a leading research facility dedicated to exploring the vast potential of current and future mobile network technologies. Established through a dynamic partnership between the School of Engineering and Informatics at Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) and PT Huawei Tech Investment, the Center focuses on developing innovative use cases and applications for 5G and beyond (xG), fostering collaboration between academia and industry to drive the advancement of mobile technology and its positive impact on society.