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Decisionmakers to set the European 5G agenda in the Baltic Sea Region

September 05, 2019

On November 27-29, 2019 in the Baltic capital of Riga, Latvia, 5G policymakers, heads of major industry organisations, and business leaders from Europe, the USA, and Asia will gather for one of the leading 5G events worldwide to discuss the deployment of the first commercially-viable 5G business models at 5G Techritory, the 2nd-annual Baltic Sea Region 5G Ecosystem Forum (the 5G Techritory Forum), organised by the Electronic Communications Office (ECO) of Latvia. 

The invitation-only event is a working Forum taking leadership for setting the 5G agenda in Europe. Up to 1000 senior-level professionals driving 5G deployment will be in attendance. The Forum serves as a platform for cross-border, cross-level, and cross-sectoral collaboration in the Baltic Sea Region. It is developed in close cooperation with the Nordic Council of Ministers, which plays a key role in fostering the Nordic-Baltic digitalization. 

5G deployment is actively pursued within the Baltic Sea Region, which is comprised of 9 countries: Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania. Together, they comprise a population of over 150 million, placing the region on-par with global superpowers. As a result, the potential thought leadership, when collaborating, is high. These countries have already demonstrated leadership in developing the policy and infrastructure required for commercial 5G deployment. 

The location of the 5G Techritory Forum, Riga, Latvia, is reflective of the Latvian government’s active participation in supporting the rollout of the 5th generation technology. According to the European Commission’s Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2019 report, the country is ranked 3rd in 5G readiness in Europe. 

We are happy to host the leading minds of 5G, a new generation technology, from Europe and beyond at the 5G Techritory Forum in Riga, Latvia. 5G has a great potential to improve our businesses and our everyday lives. The Forum will be a wonderful opportunity to discuss and lay the foundation for a successful future cross-border collaboration, where policy and business converge.

– Krišjānis Kariņš, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia.

Collaboration is the key to 5G deployment in the Baltic Sea Region, and therefore the focus is on the participation and attendance of a variety of stakeholders from around the world to make that happen. ‍

As the leading UN agency for ICTs, ITU’s goal is to help 5G turn connectivity into a platform that will benefit people and industries everywhere so that this new technology can be a source for good for everyone. Coming on the heels of ITU’s highly anticipated World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19), 5G Techritory brings together innovators, legislators, and investors to advance this game-changing industry and help deliver on the promises of 5G technology. 

– Houlin Zhao, ITU Secretary-General.

The event will highlight four verticals that are considered most ready for 5G commercialization, with the intention of setting the agenda for their future deployment. Those verticals are:

  • Smart City
  • Smart Mobility
  • Industry 4.0
  • Smart Media and Entertainment

Attendees will have the opportunity to narrow their focus and participate in value-adding side events that are expected to generate meaningful outcomes. Those include:

  • The first-ever 5G policy hackathon – where 5G policymakers from the Baltic Sea region and beyond will come together to form suggestions for cross-border policy solutions to challenges presented by 5G implementation
  • A key stakeholders’ roundtable  – to discuss the main tasks and actions for initial 5G cross-border projects in the Baltic Sea Region
  • “Meet the 5G Technology” expo – where attendees can see and interact with the cutting edge technologies being built for or driving the development of 5G

Applicants will be hand-selected for attendance, and selected applicants will be provided with complimentary access to the event. 

The Forum is organised by the Electronic Communication Office of Latvia in co-operation with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and is powered by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia. The Forum is backed by Latvian Mobile Telephone (LMT) as a strategic partner and Rohde & Schwarz as the general sponsor.

Other international partners include Cisco, Microsoft, Qualcomm Incorporated, the Nordic Council of Ministers, 5G Alliance for Connected Industries and Automation (5G-ACIA), 5G Automotive Association (5GAA), 5G Infrastructure Association (5G IA), EMEA Satellite Operator’s Association (ESOA), ERTICO, European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), and the British Embassy in Riga.