Milton Keynes Council is sponsoring a programme to encourage SMEs to develop solutions for connectivity and urban sustainability using 5G technology.
As part of the Milton Keynes Accelerator it is currently assessing applications for support in addressing three challenges over a six-month period.
It involves the city making its own 5G network available for the development of new products and services.
A consortium of industry partners including Center:MK, Amey and Socius Development will provide commercial guidance and testing facilities for a cohort of up to 10 small companies.
In addition, the Connected Places Catapult and business support company True Altitude will help the firms develop a programme roadmap including investment readiness, business modelling and customer profiling.
Connecting the city
One of the challenge areas is Connecting Milton Keynes, using technologies including 5G, the internet of things and artificial intelligence to help the city leverage data and strengthen the connectivity of its transport and infrastructure.
Decarbonising Milton Keynes is focused on developing digital technologies and platforms to enable the city to achieve net zero carbon emissions, through approaches such as sustainable mobility, renewable energies, water efficiency and waste management.
Thirdly, Connected Community is aimed at producing solutions to attract and develop digital talent, and to bring communities closer together.
Milton Keynes has been among the leaders in smart places initiatives in the UK. Among those it launched last year were trials of the use of 5G in mobility services and the launch of a smartphone app to help people make green choices in their local travel.
