UK-India collaboration to boost 5G networks and future telecoms

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss announces two new UK-India collaborations to boost 5G networks and future telecoms networks

Following Liz Truss’s recent visit to India, two new UK-India collaborations – funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – have been announced.

The first project is ‘The UK-India Future Networks Initiative (UKI-FNI)’ – A £1.4 million project, led by the University of East Anglia in collaboration with other UK and Indian universities, to build the capability, capacity, and relationships between the two countries in telecoms diversification technologies and research for 5G and beyond.

The second is a £180,000 grant to the Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult to explore opportunities for further UK-India collaboration on the needs of future telecoms networks.

Diverse supply chains

UK Minister for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure Julia Lopez said: “I am delighted that the UK and India are joining forces to look at how we can create more diverse, innovative and secure telecoms supply chains.

“This forward-looking partnership will bring together our nations’ finest minds to reduce the world’s over-reliance on a small number of firms to build and maintain the networks that are so vital to society and the global economy.”

Sanjeev K Varshney, Head of International Cooperation at the DST, said: “The announcement of the India-UK partnership to develop newer research opportunities in future telecom networks is very timely and we look forward to developing new bilateral collaboration in this and other emerging areas of mutual interest.”

Indo-UK research and innovation

Rebecca Fairbairn, Director UKRI India, said: “UKRI India, in collaboration with our partner funders in India, is delighted to announce a drive towards a new Indo-UK research and innovation partnership on future telecom networks.

“Bringing together both our countries’ scientists, engineers, and innovators we will jointly develop new knowledge and high-impact research and innovation in line with our shared 2030 India-UK roadmap.”

Professor Gerard Parr, Principal Investigator for UKI-FNI, University of East Anglia, said: “There are many benefits to be accrued from the UKI-FNI project as we explore new innovative solutions in hardware, software and protocols.

“Ultimately, we will develop a roadmap for a much larger, mutually beneficial and longer-term collaboration between India and the UK in the important digital telecoms sector.”

Net-zero

Dr Andy G Sellars, Strategic Development Director, CSA Catapult, said: “From a standing start in 2018, the Catapult has initiated over £140 million of projects developing advanced electronics to power next-generation electric vehicles as part of our net-zero commitment.

“We see a bigger opportunity to develop advanced electronic systems for future telecom networks working with industrial and academic partners in India.”