The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) programme will be funded through the UKRI Technology Missions Fund. 16 UK projects will share £22 million to support the development and commercialisation of technology solutions and lay the groundwork for the networks of the future.
Projects include developing the world’s first all-optical network switch for ultra-low power, ultra-low latency for future telecommunications networks, to developing wireless solutions for transport applications and high-speed network connectivity challenges.
£40 million in funding will provide further support for three existing Future Telecoms Research Hubs – led by Imperial College London, Oxford, and Cambridge Universities.
Those research hubs will be complemented by the creation of a dedicated national infrastructure for future telecoms testing and development linked to the UK National Dark Fibre.
This could support research in 6G, developing new architectures and networks for end-to-end connectivity, embedding AI and computing and developing wireless access systems such as cell-free networks and optical wireless integration.
Dr Kedar Pandya, UKRI technology missions fund senior responsible owner, said, “The investment will play an important role in advancing the telecoms technologies of tomorrow, supporting both early-stage research and market-ready solutions.
“It underlines the role the Technology Missions Fund and UKRI support plays in unlocking the potential of new technologies that will have a profound impact on society and the economy.”