What do a solution that provides information for operating drones beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) based on mobile network data, a tool for managing 5G private networks and edge computing and a sophisticated integrated application management technology that works in the cloud to make networks intrusion-proof have in common?
These were the three winning projects in the first edition of the 5G Challenge technological innovation competition promoted by MEO Empresas. The initiative aims to stimulate and reward solutions leveraging 5G technology capable of driving the digital transformation of companies and organisations, as well as giving companies and startups from all over the world the opportunity to be part of this process in Portugal.
The challenge proposed for the first edition of the competition was to present innovative solutions based on the most diverse technologies ─ augmented and virtual reality, artificial intelligence, big data or the Internet of Things ─ which, boosted by the advantages of 5G, facilitate greater automation of processes, greater modernization of industries and a better quality of work and life in general.
According to Nuno Nunes, Chief Sales Officer B2B at Altice Portugal, "we are very excited to see the MEO Empresas competition adapting to the market and expanding internationally. At the end of this edition, we had the participation of four international companies from Austria, Spain, Poland and the Middle East. This means we're on the right track."
Three projects with impact
One of the winning projects presented a high-performance computing solution that connects the aviation and telecommunications industries in the operation of drones. Another winning project presented a SaaS (software as a service) cloud platform that allows access to a 5G private network plus edge computing to be easier, more flexible and scalable for smart industries and cities. The platform also implements various 5G-optimised edge apps, such as applications for robotics/drones controllers, AR/VR (i.e. through augmented reality/virtual reality) or AI (Artificial Intelligence) analysis within each of these networks with just a few clicks. The third project captures and transmits critical process and industrial asset data, making it possible to achieve lower maintenance costs and better decisions. This solution also guarantees the delivery of a secure and supervised network of factory data with hypervision over remotely deployed microservices and a digital twin representation of edge computing assets and IoT (Internet of Things) applications.
The three winners will have access to the startup program at the Web Summit, an event taking place in Lisbon from November 13 to 16, to have their solutions publicized in various media, including the website and social networks of MEO Empresas, and the possibility of their integration into the portfolio of Products & Services of the Altice Portugal brand.
According to Nuno Nunes, MEO Empresas is a pioneer "in helping and preparing companies and organisations to reach their potential and create a positive impact on the market and the business world, demonstrating that we are an active partner, with relevant solutions for our customers and for Portugal. The first edition of the 5G Challenge was a showcase for solutions that add value to the daily lives of companies and organisations and that combine technology and innovation."
At a time when the world is evolving very quickly, with constant technological advances, 5G is the way forward for companies, for people's well-being and an important additive for the transformation of operational processes, which are fundamental to maintaining the competitiveness of organisations in an increasingly global market. MEO Empresas continues to be a partner of excellence on the road to digital transformation, taking technology and innovation to new heights.
5G Challenge in the spotlight
The first edition of the MEO Empresas competition had 22 participants and 11 finalist solutions, resulting in three winners: AirborneRF, Neutroon and Orchestra.
The presentation and award ceremony took place on the 19th and was attended by the members of the jury: Nuno Nunes, Chief Sales Officer B2B at Altice Portugal; Alcino Lavrador, Managing Director of Altice Labs; Bruno Horta Soares, Executive Advisor and Professor; José Vera, Director of Information Systems at CUF; Pedro Matos Silva, Head of Digital Technologies at The Navigator Company; and, Ricardo Lima, Head of Startups & Investors at Web Summit.
This competition is an evolution of the IoT Challenge, which in its seven editions has seen more than 200 entries from around 80 companies, resulting in 24 winning solutions.