Wales is set to become a global leader in 5G technology, following the announcement of a new Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Centre of Excellence at Bangor University (www.bangor.ac.uk), supported by nearly £4 million of European Union funds.

The Centre will provide highly specialised research into digital communication systems, including mobile phones, WiFi hubs and modern manufacturing lines.

Improvements in DSP are a cost-effective way of speeding up networks and dramatically improving the way that mobile phones, devices and network architecture work.

It will also look at ways to use existing fibre technology in the 5G network to improve capacity, flexibility, functionality and services.

Jeremy Miles, Counsel General for Wales, said: “The DSP Centre of Excellence puts Wales at the very heart of innovation in this key economic sector and positions Bangor University at the top of the ICT research industry.

“Collaboration between academics from Wales and world-wide institutions, high-profile international companies and Welsh and UK SMEs will lead to ground-breaking research, resulting in cutting-edge solutions to advance the global 5G economy.”

Iwan Davies, Bangor University’s vice-chancellor, said: “This illustrates how research conducted by academics of international standing feeds into innovation and contributes to economic and social impact in our wider world.

"With academic, international and Welsh partners, the DSP Centre of Excellence has the potential to promote the creation of a DSP Economic Zone along the A55 to bring transformative economic benefits to North Wales.”