MONTREAL – Telus and Zú announced Wednesday the two companies have entered into a long-term partnership to launch an experimental 5G laboratory
Zú, a Montreal-based non-profit whose mission is to develop leading-edge innovative projects in the entertainment sector will, with help from Telus, “empower creators to explore cutting-edge technologies, from augmented reality and 3D holograms to mobile gaming, interactive storytelling, live volumetric performance, and 4K live streaming,” reads the press release.
According to the two companies, this is the first-ever space for technological exploration in Canada entirely dedicated to the creative and entertainment industry.
“The 5G Telus Lab will be a space where developers, creators, artists and entrepreneurs will be inspired to push the boundaries of entertainment, amplified by the most promising generation of wireless communication,” said Guillaume Thérien, Zú’s general manager. “5G promises to reshape the future of entertainment ―and Zú will be the cradle of this revolution in Montreal.”
In addition to “considerable funding,” says the release, and access to its wireless network, Telus will provide the creative community with access to engineers and mentors who will help facilitate the incubation, validation and acceleration of start-ups. A series of lectures on emerging technologies will also be part of Zú's programming to guide participants to the creative opportunities of tomorrow, says the announcement.
“(I)t is only natural for us to partner with Zú, an initiative from entertainment pioneer and philanthropist Guy Laliberté, to provide artists, researchers and entrepreneurs the best possible resources," said François Gratton, group president, Telus and chair of Telus Québec. "Furthermore, our society is entering a new digital age and we need to leverage these new technologies to make Montréal a more competitive and creative market internationally. We believe that next-generation networks will be the key to success. Together we have the ambition to redefine the creative industry and to help build a brighter future for all. "
The 5G Telus Lab is currently being built at Zú (pictured above), and will welcome its first participants by the end of this year. “They will have the opportunity to test and optimize their creative projects in a real life setting which could expedite how quickly they go to market,” says the release.
The lab is now calling for projects to populate the space. Submit your ideas here.
