Private 5G & IoT: The Power Duet Fuelling Hong Kong's Smart City Revolution

Abstract from NTT Innovation Summit’s panel discussion

“Orchestrating a New Era of Machine Interaction: The Duet of Private 5G & IoT”

30th October 2024

Today’s breakthroughs aren’t born in isolation but from a powerful convergence of forces. Academia, industry, government, and even former rivals are joining forces, creating a symphony of innovation that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible.

At the NTT Innovation Summit, a panel of experts dissected this phenomenon, highlighting the critical role of dynamic partnerships. These collaborations are the lifeblood of a thriving innovation ecosystem, igniting new ideas, accelerating development, and shattering perceived limitations.

Breaking down barriers, building bridges

The adage “two heads are better than one” has never been more relevant. Dynamic partnerships fuel a cross-pollination of ideas, merging diverse perspectives and experiences to forge groundbreaking solutions. These solutions are beyond the reach of any single entity, born from the synergy of shared knowledge and expertise.

However, perhaps the most powerful aspect of these partnerships is their ability to dismantle the barriers that stifle innovation. By uniting diverse stakeholders, they create an environment where knowledge flows freely, resources are pooled, and expertise is leveraged to overcome challenges and accelerate discovery.

Governments play a crucial role in fostering this thriving innovation ecosystem. They are the architects of the innovation ecosystem, crafting supportive policies, providing funding, and investing in infrastructure that enables collaboration and knowledge sharing.

With its entrepreneurial spirit and market-driven approach, the private sector is a driving force behind innovation. Their investment in R&D, risk-taking, and relentless pursuit of partnerships drive progress forward.

Universities and research institutions are fertile breeding grounds for new ideas and technologies. Their collaborations with industry and government translate research into real-world applications that benefit society.

Fuelling the fire: Talent and customer focus

A passionate and motivated workforce is at the core of any thriving innovation ecosystem. Cultivating a culture of internal innovation and empowering staff to contribute ideas is crucial for driving progress from within.

But innovation without purpose is futile. The ultimate test lies in meeting customer needs. Engaging with customers, understanding their pain points, and incorporating their feedback into the innovation process ensures that new products and services are not only groundbreaking but also relevant and valuable.

Ir Prof Alan Lam, JP

CEO, Gravity Capital Partners

We must cultivate a culture of innovation within organizations and leverage university networks to attract top talent. “We need to train our staff to have the innovative idea... the university network is very important. How can we recruit better talent and engage them earlier?” asks Dr. Alan Lam, chief executive officer of Gravity Capital Partners.

Takashi Hara

General Manager, New Business Development, NTT DOCOMO

There is a critical need to invest in early-stage startups and strengthen ties with academia to fuel the innovation engine: “We need to expand the size of the fund in Japan for the pre-seed stage and the collaboration with universities... that’s the key to expand the [innovation] ecosystem,” says Takashi Hara, general manager for new business development at NTT DOCOMO.

Jolly Wong, Policy Fellow, Center of Science and Policy University of Cambridge

Private 5G and IoT have the power to transform the way we live, work and play: “I believe the age of human-machine augmentations and coexistence will further transform towards an era of seamless human-machine cooperations, or you can call it symbiosis,” says Jolly Wong, policy fellow at Centre of Science and Policy, University of Cambridge.

Phil McManus, Director of Innovations, NTT Com Asia

Understand the strategic importance of Private 5G and use it as a tool to address specific business challenges and an enabler of emerging technologies: “Every technology has its place; every technology addresses a specific business problem. Where Private 5G comes in is in helping to support areas like AI at the edge, video, robotics and autonomous vehicles. And that's where we start to see the use and adoption of the technology,” says Phil McManus, director of innovation at NTT Com Asia.

Bryan Fung, Executive Director, WSP

Automation enables human independence and better business resilience, especially when dealing with unforeseen disruptions: “The more we are able to reduce human intervention, the more we can be more independent. Whatever happens, you don't have to face a lockdown situation where you don't know how to operate your business,” says Bryan Fung, executive director at WSP.

Sankar .S. Villupuram, Director, Advanced Digital Engineering, Arup

Embrace the transformative potential of edge computing and appreciate the importance of processing data close to the source for enabling real-time decisions and unlocking new possibilities — vital for Hong Kong's smart city applications: “The real magic lies in embedding the hardware, the software and the machine learning model in one location at different parts of the edge,” says Sankar S. Villupuram, director of advanced digital engineering at Arup.

Teddy Lo, Managing Director, Boldyn Networks

Collaboration and interoperability are two sides of the same coin and vital for seamless connectivity, especially between networks and stakeholders: “Seamless interoperability and collaboration are vital for modern companies,” says Teddy Lo, managing director at Boldyn Networks.

Terence Wong, Head of APAC, 5G Industry & IoT Community, GSMA

Real-world issues drive Hong Kong’s smart city development; leveraging Private 5G and IoT can address unique urban challenges and shine a spotlight on the benefits and challenges: “Although it's very small and can't compare to the scale of China, Japan or Korea, it is a really good lighthouse for many use cases… It is also about solving Hong Kong problems, like the difficulty recruiting talent and the ageing population,” says Terence Wong, head of APAC 5G Industry & IoT Community at GSMA.

Simon Wong

Chief Executive Officer, Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre

Government support and resources are indispensable for cultivating a thriving innovation ecosystem. “For the past over 12 years as an R&D centre, I have been deeply involved in seeing the establishment of the ecosystem of innovation and technology in Hong Kong... the government has put in a lot of effort,” says Simon Wong, chief executive officer for the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre.

Ricky Chong

Managing Director, Ricoh Hong Kong

Aligning innovation with a viable business model and prioritizing customer needs is important. “When we talk about idea or innovation... we have to think about how it links with the business model... the first step is always linked to the customer,” says Ricky Chong, managing director for Ricoh Hong Kong.

The future of innovation: A collaborative imperative

The insights from these industry leaders paint a clear picture: thriving innovation ecosystems are built on a foundation of dynamic partnerships led by collaboration, resources, and talent. By breaking down barriers, embracing customer needs, and fostering a culture of shared learning, we can unleash the boundless potential of human ingenuity.

In a world facing increasingly complex challenges, dynamic partnerships are no longer a choice but an imperative. By embracing collaboration, dismantling barriers, and fostering a culture of shared learning and discovery, we can unlock the full potential of human ingenuity and create a brighter future for all.

The future belongs to those who can harness the power of collaboration. In this era of unprecedented technological advancement, dynamic partnerships are the key to unlocking a brighter, more innovative tomorrow.

AI Infrastructure: The Foundation for Tomorrow's Humanoids

Moderated by:

Calum Murray, Founder, Jabel Consulting Limited

Panellists:

Steven So, SVP Data Center, NTT Com Asia

Alan Cheung, Chief Director, Artificial Intelligence and Trust Technologies, ASTRI

William Hui, Head of Innovations, Research and Development, Manulife International Limited

Find out more

Private 5G & IoT: The Power Duet Fuelling Hong Kong's Smart City Revolution

Moderated by:

Jolly Wong, Policy Fellow, Center of Science and Policy, University of Cambridge

Panellists:

Phil McManus, Director of Innovations, NTT Com Asia

Bryan Fung, Executive Director, WSP

Sankar .S. Villupuram, Director, Advanced Digital Engineering, Arup

Teddy Lo, Managing Director, Boldyn Networks

Terence Wong, Head of APAC 5G Industry & IoT Community, GSMA

Find out more

Humans & Humanoids: The Dawn of a New Workplace

Abstract from NTT Innovation Summit’s panel discussion “Humans & Humanoids: Transforming the Future Workplace and Workforce” (30 October 2024)

Moderated by:

Diana Wu David, Advisor, The Future Proof Lab

Panellists:

Sophia, Social Humanoid, Hanson Robotics

Gabriel Kung, Chief Commercial Officer, Bowtie

John Mullally, Managing Director, Robert Walters

Michael Chan, Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Asia, Mayer Brown

Find out more

Private 5G & IoT: The Power Duet Fuelling Hong Kong's Smart City Revolution

Don't just hear from human leaders,
challenge your mind with the perspectives of a social humanoid. Sophia, the HK-grown sensation, shares her unique insights on what truly fuels innovation.

Beyond Boundaries

Forging a Thriving Innovation Ecosystem through Dynamic Partnerships