Tech consulting giant CGI will use Nokia kit in a new 5G lab that is intended to showcase how great it is.

CGI already has an ‘innovation centre’ in the central London skyscraper known as the walkie-talkie building, so it looks like Nokia is helping it create a 5G zone within that. To some extent this seems more like a showroom than a lab, with Nokia being given the platform to demonstrate its Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) private solution, while CGI gets to showcase its system integration offering.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Nokia to create our 5G lab in London,” said Ian Dunbar, VP for Communications and Media at CGI. “5G private networks will be transformative to UK businesses looking to build back better so we’re pleased to be bringing it to life through our relationship with Nokia.

“CGI is a leader in IT and business consulting services, so we’re delighted to be leveraging our combined expertise to shine a light on the power and potential of 5G private wireless,” said Phil Siveter, CEO for UK&I at Nokia. “This is a new and exciting partnership for both organisations and is built on years of industry knowledge and experience. It is a significant milestone as we look to turn the 5G private wireless potential into a reality for the UK market.”

The first letters of ‘build back better’ in the Dunbar canned quote were capitalised in the press release but that was more than we could stomach. Companies looking to exploit the pandemic aftermath and suck up to the government would be well advised to be a bit more subtle about it. As for this lab, let’s see how much innovation, as opposed to revenue, comes from it.