The 5G Hack the Mall summer course offers companies and regions a cost-effective way to learn about 5G technology

The Otaniemi Campus of Aalto University solidified its position as a centre of 5G knowledge and its applications when the world's leading experts and decision-makers involved in 5G technology, as well as companies and students met each other again. The virtual 5G Hack the Mall summer course also offered lectures and panel discussions for the general public. The summer course was organised on 6–17 June 2022.

Students at the 5G Hack the Mall summer course sought out the basic information of 5G technology and put forward solutions to challenges given by some of the companies and other organisations as course projects. The challenges of this year included a wide range of applications, such as how food production and logistics can be made more efficient with 5G technology, how 5G technology can help in the uninterrupted implementation of critical services for the society, or how 5G technology can be utilised in sports training and in improving the viewer experience. In places where snow may accumulate fast, such as Helsinki or New York, 5G technology can help keep streets clean and maintain important logistic functions even in difficult conditions.

This year, the summer course also offered the general public numerous presentations and discussions on 5G technology and how to utilise it. The participants included senior research fellows and practical decision-makers. Companies were given the opportunity to present their solutions to prevent climate change and promote global social and economic sustainable development.

The culmination of the summer course's public events was a panel discussion in which experts from the US, Africa and Europe discussed the benefits of the 5G Mokki Tech Space network, which promotes learning and applying a new type of 5G technology for international companies. In May, the network announced its goal of connecting the African continent to Europe to promote remote work, entrepreneurship and the learning and deployment of new technology. This debate focused on the benefits of the network for American companies, known for their ability to exploit new opportunities quickly.

Very interesting lectures, presentations and discussions

Plenty of interesting lectures, presentations and discussions were heard during the course and at the events. Here are some examples:

Panel discussion on Thursday 16 June Leonard Wantchekon, Professor at Princeton University, Marko Nieminen, Professor at Aalto University, Olatundun Adelegan, Visiting Professor at Aalto University, Boris Ngala, CEO of BB Incubator, Douala, Cameroon, Douglas Ogeto, CEO of Ludique Works, Kenya, and Atte Leskinen, Community Communications Specialist at Start North discussed the opportunities that the African 5G Mokki Tech Space offers to American companies that employ thousands of people annually and launch dozens or hundreds of implementation projects for new technology. The event is moderated by Mr Lars Ling.

Panel discussion on Tuesday 14 June Tapani Jokinen, Strategic & Circular Design Consultant, David Radszuweit, Inventor & Founder with Global Security Focus discussed with Boris Ngala, CEO of BB Incubator, and Lars Ling how 5G technology helps to realise the circular economy in Europe and Africa.

Panel discussion on Wednesday 15 June Juha Dahlström from Urhea training centre and Harri Hollo from Kisakallio Sports Institute and European Athletics U23, together with Jari Handelberg, Doctor of Science, discussed the possibilities of 5G technology in sports, sports coaching and improving the audience experience.

Kalevi Kilkki from Aalto University gave a more general lecture on Mobile communication systems and the topic of Jose Costa was Mobile networks. Aalto University Assistant Professor Yu Xiao spoke about how Cross Reality (XR) will be one of the key new applications of 5G technology.

Harri Holma, Nokia Oyj, lectured on What is good to know about 5G Technology components and Antti Toskala from the same organisation presented Radio Access (5G Physical Layer).

Anna Larmo from Ericsson Ab gave a lecture on the theme of 5G and Internet of Things.

Peik Schulman from Capgemini Invent provided an overview on the current state of the 5G application market.

Katina Kralevska, Assistant Professor at NTNU, spoke about Intent-based networking in 5G and beyond networks.

Priit Roosipuu from Taltech talked about the theme of 5G synchronisation and 5G beam steering.

Professor Anssi Auvinen from Tampere University gave a lecture on the topic Do Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields from mobile phones affect cancer risk? Jukka Talvitie from the same university gave a lecture on the theme of 5G for device positioning and sensing.

Sasu Tarkoma, Professor at University of Helsinki, lectured on the theme of 5G and artificial intelligence.

Tiia Ojanperä from VTT Research Centre of Finland talked about the theme 5G and autonomous vehicles.

Eero Tiainen lectured on 5G Vertical Creative Industries.

Next summer course will be in Africa

The next 5G summer course will be held on several university campuses in important African cities already in January and February 2023. At the same time, investigations will be launched to establish permanent 5G Tech Spaces to promote regional learning, entrepreneurship and employment. In this context, an international mentor programme by experienced telecom and business experts will also be launched for experts who wish to promote new types of education and innovation activities. The mentor role can also offer a new kind of occupation close to education.

More information about the summer course and the event:
Lauri Hollo
[email protected]