[Hong Kong, 17 October 2016] The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) will partner with 21Vianet Group Limited (21Vianet), China’s largest carrier-neutral Internet data centre service provider, to conduct research and development (R&D) and field trials in a 5G testbed in the run-up to the launch of the next generation mobile network.
ASTRI and 21Vianet today entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up a joint research and development laboratory, “ASTRI-21Vianet Joint R&D Lab”, where both parties will develop advanced technologies and explore new applications of technologies in areas of smart cities and the next generation network. According to the MoU, both parties will jointly develop TD-LTE small cell service in commercial telecommunications network and Mobile Edge Computing related technologies and related applications. The collaboration will foster R&D talent exchange and cultivation.
21Vianet also agrees to allow ASTRI to use its TD-LTE spectrum in Hong Kong free of charge to conduct field trials of private LTE networks from now to March 2019, which is a significant step towards building the infrastructure for the 5G mobile network – expected to be rolled out from around 2020.
Dr. Frank Tong, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI said “Smart City technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT) would be made possible only with the 5G networks, which will have a much larger capacity and provide speeds that are 100 times faster than the current 4G networks. China is at the forefront of developing 5G technology. ASTRI’s strategic cooperation with 21Vianet is crucial and helps Hong Kong pave the way for the launch of 5G networks.”
“We are excited by this opportuny to collaborate with ASTRI on the R&D of Smart City and Next Generation Network technlogies. ASTRI has a strong team on LTE technologies and affluent patent portfolio in LTE, LTE-A and 5G wireless technologies. We are confident that our collaboration will bring benefits to the industry and make significant impacts on 5G network development, contributing to the evolution on the Smart City development.”, said Mr. Andrew Lee, Managing Director of 21Vianet.
A signing ceremony of the Joint Research and Development Lab was held at the Industry and University Collaboration Forum 2016 organised by ASTRI today. Dr. Frank Tong, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI and Mr. Andrew Lee, Managing Director of 21Vianet signed the MoU under the witnesses Mr. Ming-yam Wong, BBS, JP, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ASTRI and Mr. Yoshihisa Ueno, Director of the Board of 21Vianet.
About ASTRI
Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI) was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness in technology-based industries through applied research. ASTRI’s core R&D competences in various areas are organised under seven Technology Divisions, namely Communications Technologies, Electronics Components, IC Design (Analog), IC Design (Digital), Opto-electronics, Security and Data Sciences, and Intelligent Software and Systems. Five areas of applications including financial technologies, intelligent manufacturing, next generation network, health technologies, and smart city are identified for major pursuit. For further information about ASTRI, please visit www.astri.org.
About 21Vianet
21Vianet Group is a leading carrier-neutral internet data centre services provider in China. 21Vianet provides hosting and related services, managed network services, cloud services, content delivery network services, last-mile wired broadband services and business VPN services.
Media enquiries:
Cherry Au of Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co. Ltd.
Tel: (852) 3406 2993 | Email: cherryau@ astri.org
Daphne Chan of Andy Ho Public Affairs Consulting Co. Ltd.
Tel: (852) 2375 8168 / (852) 5960 7926 | Email: daphne@ andyho.hk
Dr. Frank Tong, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI (2nd left), and Mr. Andrew Lee, Managing Director of 21Vianet (2nd right), sign a Memorandum of Understanding to set up the ASTRI-21Vianet Joint R&D Lab, in the witnesses of Mr. Wong Ming-yam, BBS, JP, Chairman of ASTRI (1st left), and Mr. Yoshihisa Ueno, Director of the Board of 21Vianet (1st right).
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