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EU and Japan collaborate on 5G mobile technologies

With the new 5G agreement, the EU joins forces with Japan in a bid to tackle the increasing need for wireless internet and complement current efforts to create a digital single market in Europe

Europe and Japan are investing €12m collectively into 5G-related projects in order to improve the Internet of Things, cloud and big data platforms

The agreement will allow the EU and Japan to work together towards a common understanding and standards of 5G, as well as identify new harmonised radio-band frequencies for the new spectrum, along with cooperating on future applications for the technology in areas like connected cars or e-health.

Over the next two years the EU and Japan will invest €12m into 5G-related projects to help develop the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud and big data platforms. They also plan to deepen deepen their cooperation on research and innovation (R&I).

The EU and Japan will invest €12m into 5G-related projects to help develop the Internet of Things, cloud and big data platforms

“5G will be the backbone of our digital economies and societies worldwide,” said Günther H. Oettinger, European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society. “This is why we strongly support and seek a global consensus and cooperation on 5G.”

“Our agreement with Japan is a milestone on the road to a global definition of 5G, its service characteristics and standards. It shows that our countries are ready to take leadership in building our digital future,” he added.

The agreement builds on the strong research ties the two EU and Japan share in areas such as ICT and aeronautics, as well as strengthening collaborations in health and medical research, environment, energy and physics.

The partners will also set up a joint funding mechanism that will make it easier to finance common R&I projects and collaborate more closely on policy aspects, like Open Science.

In addition, an agreement to stimulate scientific exchanges has also been signed between the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and the European Research Council (ERC).

“Europe and Japan must tackle many of the same challenges such as energy security, ageing populations or access to critical materials,” Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation. “So it’s only natural that we also work together closely to find solutions to these challenges. The joint vision endorsed today will take our cooperation to the next level.”