INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 22, 2019) – Indiana will launch a new 5G hub this
fall to attract business, foster innovation and propel research and development
in 5G-enabled advanced technologies. As one of only two metro areas in the U.S.
selected for the launch of both AT&T and Verizon 5G broadband networks, and
with diverse support and infrastructure assets across the state, Indiana’s
capital city is positioned to be at the center of global investment and
advancements in 5G.
“As Indiana’s pro-growth business climate continues to gain recognition around
the globe, we’re committed to enhancing our connectivity and investing in
emerging infrastructure like 5G in order to remain competitive and propel our
economy forward into the 21st century,” said Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “With
the launch of the Indiana 5G Zone, along with the state’s innovation-driven
economic development tools, Indiana will be able to attract more diverse
companies in high-growth industries while also leading in the development of
5G-enabled technologies.”
The Indiana 5G Zone, which will
be located within educational nonprofit Eleven Fifty Academy’s headquarters at
151 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis, will feature a 3,000-square-foot
research lab used to develop and test 5G-supported technologies, products and
service applications. With plans to launch this October, businesses,
universities and research institutions will be able to lease lab space at the
facility and have access to shared spaces for programming and events.
Additionally, Eleven Fifty Academy will integrate the 5G infrastructure and
testing facilities into the academy’s immersive coding and cybersecurity
training programs.
The Indiana 5G Zone is being established by the Indiana 5G Forum, which
includes several stakeholders, including AT&T, Verizon, Purdue
University, Eleven Fifty Academy, Indiana IoT Lab – Fishers, Battery
Innovation Center, Energy Systems Network, Wabash Heartland Innovation
Network, Indiana University and the University of Notre Dame. The Indiana 5G
Zone is sponsored as part of a strategic initiative established in partnership
with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) to leverage Indiana’s
developing digital infrastructure in order to catalyze innovation and support
rapidly-developing companies. The Indiana 5G Forum will have staff and
resources on site to provide support to Indiana’s entrepreneurial community.
“5G is a key priority for Purdue Engineering’s Initiative in Autonomous and
Connected Systems,” said Mung Chiang, John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of
Engineering at Purdue University. “With unique 5G assets and partnership
opportunities, Indy is speedy. And the Indiana 5G Zone will provide a unique,
open innovation platform for 5G acceleration in the U.S.”
Today’s announcement comes on the heels of the 5G Summit, which convened
government, industry and academic leaders from across the state to collaborate
and grow opportunities in 5G. 5G is the next generation of wireless technology,
offering businesses and consumers enhanced connectivity, reliability, data
latency, and capacity and coverage among devices and technologies. With speeds
up to 100 gigabits per second, more than 20 times faster than current networks,
5G will help companies propel innovation and R&D and improve capabilities
in industries ranging from agbiosciences to health care. For example, 5G
technology seeks to improve how manufacturers capture, process and transfer
data through Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices.
“The 5G Zone is a result of the 5G Summit held earlier this year, and uniquely
brings together industry, academia and government in one location to advance
this game-changing technology and place Indiana as a world leader in 5G
technology,” said Scott Jones, founder of Eleven Fifty Academy. “The ability to
upskill in-career professionals, entrepreneurs, educators and government
leaders about all 5G has to offer gives Indiana a big advantage.”
Indiana is committed to embracing disruptive technology like 5G to bolster its
strategic industries and position the state for long-term global competitiveness
and economic growth. With the launch of the Indiana 5G Zone, the state will
gain another tool to support innovation and drive tech sector growth and job
creation in central Indiana, which grew at more than double the U.S. average
during 2016 and 2017, ranking sixth across the U.S. and Canada.
“A big advantage to having the 5G Zone co-locate in Eleven Fifty Academy is the
opportunity for collaborative research, training and project development,” said
Sean Hendrix, managing director of the Indiana 5G Forum. “We invite anyone –
locally, statewide and beyond who is interested in partnering with and learning
more about 5G networking.”
The IEDC will provide matching funds to support company innovation and R&D
through the state’s 21st Century Research & Technology Fund, which supports
the state’s efforts to foster innovation and entrepreneurship through a variety
of programs and initiatives, such as making direct investments into startups
and supporting public-private partnerships to advance R&D.
For more information about the Indiana 5G Zone, visit WhereSpeedMatters.com.
