Swisscom, Ericsson and Qualcomm join forces to find the world's most innovative 5G applications

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24.09.2020
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The Swisscom Startup Challenge gives start-ups and research teams access to the Swisscom 5G lab, its live network and to 5G devices during an exploration week in Switzerland. In addition, the winners will receive the support of experts and mentors from Ericsson, Qualcomm CDMA Technologies and Swisscom. The competition is open to teams from all over the world.

Launched in 2013, the Swisscom Start-up Challenge is focusing entirely on 5G in 2020. Start-ups and research teams from across the world who want to exploit 5G’s potential and have already developed a product or prototype are invited to apply before 11 October 2020.

The top five 5G innovators will travel to Switzerland in March 2021, where they will have the chance to spend a week performing test cases at Swisscom’s 5G lab or in different locations, regions and also on trains across the live network. They will be supported every step of the way by mentors and experts from Ericsson, Qualcomm CDMA Technologies, Venturelab and Swisscom, and will have the opportunity to exchange ideas with top entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.

In addition, the winners will be able to explore Switzerland, visiting leading global innovation facilities, such as the Federal Institute of Technology and the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, and meeting pioneers of business and technology. Travel costs, accommodation and meals will be covered by Swisscom.

Roger Wüthrich-Hasenböhler, Chief Digital Officer, Swisscom, comments “Technology only develops its power in combination with innovative ideas and useful customer applications. Together with our partners Ericsson and Qualcomm, we are very curious to see how much creativity start-ups around the world have already invested in 5G technology and look forward to welcoming the finalists in Switzerland.”

Martin Bürki, Managing Director Ericsson Switzerland adds: “Reliable and high-performance connectivity is the key for start-ups, especially in the area of smart services and apps. As the driving force behind 5G, we at Ericsson are delighted to be able to offer creative people an appropriate innovation platform with the latest mobile technology.”

Ericsson currently holds more than 100 commercial 5G agreements and contracts with mobile network operators worldwide. In addition, Ericsson is involved in a majority of all commercially launched 5G live networks. The 60 5G live networks supported by Ericsson worldwide include networks in Germany and Switzerland.

“Qualcomm Technologies is proud to be involved in the Swisscom 5G Start-up Challenge and I am honoured to be part of the judging panel and look forward to encountering innovative start-ups from around the world and seeing the innovative ideas submitted to fully utilise 5G capabilities”, explains Enrico Salvatori, SVP Qualcomm Europe, Inc. and President Qualcomm EMEA. Qualcomm is the world’s leading wireless technology innovator and the driving force behind the development, launch and expansion of 5G. 

More information on the website of the Swisscom Startup Challenge.

(Press release / SK)

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