Small businesses can test 5G technology at new Barcelona lab

Now, there's a place in Barcelona where startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be able to try new services and applications with 5G technology, for free: the Thinx / 5GBarcelona lab.

The lab is unique in the Spanish State and it's born with the aspiration of being "one of the European digital innovation hubs within the 5G field." The space was inaugurated at the Mobile World Capital Barcelona in the Pier01 building on Wednesday, by companies Telefónica and 5GBarcelona, with a budget of 2 million euros.

And, according to the minister of Digital Policy and Governance minister Jordi Puigneró, Barcelona aspires to be the "world capital of 5G," with Catalonia aiming provide between the 10 and 15% of positions that are forecast to be created in the nascent technological field within the next few years.

Meanwhile, city mayor Ada Colau highlighted that "Barcelona is getting closer to the future with this laboratory," while urging the Catalan capital to be a "referent to Europe" in this technological change," which should be put "at the service of people and society."

Startup EnGiDi was the first to try the Thinx / 5GBarcelona infrastructure. During the inauguration, the company displayed its product, made to improve safety for workers on job sites and monitor their movements in real time.

 

The inauguration was headed by Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, minister of Digital Policy and Governance Jordi Puigneró, delegated minister for Telefónica Espanya and for Mobile World capital Barcelona Carlos Grau, and director of i2CAT Foundation Josep Paradells. 

The lab is unique in the Spanish State and it's born with the aspiration of being "one of the European digital innovation hubs within the 5G field."