Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. announced it's investing US$8 million (£5 million) in the University of Surrey in the U.K to expand research in 5G networking technology.

The investment aims to provide a fully operational next-generation 5G network at the university campus in 2015.

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The University of Surrey, located in Guildford, England, currently has 17,000 staff and students, according to official reports.

Huawei is reportedly aiming to deploy a 5G network infrastructure able to deliver speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second.

"The UK is at the forefront of 5G development thanks to initiatives like this collaboration between the University of Surrey and Huawei," said Ed Vaizey, minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy.

"This will help maintain Britain's position as an international home for innovation and put us at the heart of the development of the next generation of mobile technology."

Reports claim the Chinese tech giant plans to invest US$600 million internationally in 5G networking technology research by 2015.

Tong Wen, CTO of Huawei Wireless Networks, said the company is focusing heavily on research and development for networking technologies that will benefit societies and businesses.

"Making 5G a success will be essential in achieving this." said Tong Wen.

Our work with the 5GIC at the University of Surrey will enable us to test cutting-edge, fifth-generation mobile technologies in an open and collaborative environment, and help to turn the vision of 5G into a reality,"

5GIC is the university's 5G Innovation Center.

Other companies are also joining in the action, such as Aeroflex, AIRCOM International, BBC, BT, EE, Fujitsu Laboratories of Europe, Rohde & Schwarz, Samsung, Telefonica, and Vodafone among others.

TagsHuawei, University of Surrey, UK, England, Guildford, Networking Technology, Next Generation Network, Huawei Wireless Networks, 5GIC