Private 5G Innovation Project at ICC
Driving Australia’s Next Generation Wireless Infrastructure
The Private 5G Innovation Project at Innovation Central Canberra (ICC) is a nationally significant initiative designed to advance Australia’s capabilities in next-generation telecommunications. Focused on enterprise-grade private 5G and 6G technologies, this project aims to unlock new levels of connectivity, automation, and security across critical industries such as mining, logistics, manufacturing, energy, and defence.
With Australia’s private 5G market forecasted to reach over $3 billion by 2036, this initiative is poised to close the gap between current capabilities and emerging opportunities by offering a purpose-built lab environment that facilitates research, experimentation, and commercialisation.
What Makes This Project Unique?
The Private 5G Innovation Project at ICC stands apart through its:
Strategic Location: Housed within a university setting, the lab benefits from direct access to academic infrastructure, student researchers, and a strong culture of innovation.
Collaborative Framework: The project brings together industry leaders, research institutions, and government stakeholders to co-design, co-fund, and co-develop Proof-of-Concepts (PoCs).
Scalable Model: Built on a cost-effective, modular approach that uses open-source architectures and unlicensed spectrum where possible lowering barriers to adoption and making demonstration and prototyping more accessible.
Educational Integration: Provides Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities for students, embedding future-ready talent into real-world projects and reducing operational costs.
Project Objectives
- Establish a fully functional Private 5G/6G Innovation Centre at ICC
- Validate the feasibility and ROI of deploying enterprise-focused 5G networks in Australian industry settings
- Support a national roadmap for secure, sovereign telecommunications infrastructure
- Serve as a launchpad for exportable solutions, research collaboration, and commercial pilots
Use Cases in Focus
The ICC Private 5G Lab is exploring a range of application areas, including:
- Ports
Real-time automation of cargo handling and logistics with digital twins and autonomous vehicles. - Mining
Remote operations, autonomous haulage, and safety enhancements in harsh and isolated environments. - Sustainable Energy Infrastructure
IoT-enabled monitoring, predictive maintenance, and energy automation across power systems. - Defence
Secure, resilient networks supporting smart base transformation, remote surveillance, and field communications.
Timeline and Deployment
- 2024–2025: Stakeholder engagement, feasibility studies, facility planning
- 2025–2026: Deployment of PoCs in targeted industries including ports, mining, and defence
- Beyond 2026: Expansion of capabilities, commercial adoption, and international knowledge-sharing
Impact
By creating a low-cost, high-impact platform for wireless innovation, the Private 5G Innovation Project at ICC will:
- Strengthen Australia’s digital sovereignty
- Position the country as a leader in enterprise wireless infrastructure
- Deliver economic and social returns by accelerating adoption across public and private sectors
- Build a skilled, future-ready workforce in advanced communications
Join the Movement
ICC welcomes interest from industry, government, and research partners looking to co-develop, pilot, or deploy private 5G solutions in Australia.
For partnership opportunities, technical collaboration, or student involvement, contact the ICC team today.
