The UK has joined forces with major international partners — including Australia, Canada, Japan and the United States — to strengthen the security, resilience and innovation of telecommunications networks.
Launched today, the Global Coalition on Telecommunications will work to protect critical communications infrastructure from growing risks such as supply chain disruption and cyberattacks.
Michelle Donelan, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, said:
“This historic partnership reflects our shared commitment to harnessing the power of telecommunications for the benefit of our nations and the world at large.
Telecommunications networks are the lifeline of global economies, and safeguarding their resilience and security in an evolving, interconnected world is a top priority for our governments.
By joining forces, the UK and our partners are well-positioned to take the lead in broadening supply chains, nurturing industry knowledge, and bolstering security to address emerging challenges.”
Telecommunications underpin the UK economy, making the resilience and security of these networks essential. The coalition’s goal is to ensure networks remain robust and adaptable so connectivity continues uninterrupted, even during crises.
Working with other major economies, the UK intends to diversify global telecom supply chains, build industry expertise and strengthen defenses against emerging threats. The coalition will coordinate research and development, improve information sharing and expand international engagement to accelerate progress.
Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator, commented:
“The critical telecommunications issues of today are global in scope. This groundbreaking coalition will help the US and our partners respond decisively to cross-border opportunities and challenges.
By working ever more closely together, the coalition members will advance secure, diverse, resilient and innovative telecommunications networks around the world.”
The coalition will promote industry growth and foster dialogue among policymakers, businesses and academia to advance shared objectives. This collaborative approach reflects a common commitment to unlocking the benefits of modern telecommunications for citizens and economies worldwide.
To support this agenda, the UK Government is committing an initial £70 million to the Future Telecoms Technology Missions Fund (TMF) Programme. The investment will support research into next-generation telecoms, helping position the UK at the forefront of 6G development and beyond.
The government says the funding will back projects that expand internet coverage, enable technologies such as autonomous vehicles, and improve energy efficiency across digital infrastructure.
Dr Kedar Pandya, Executive Director of Cross-Council Programmes at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), said:
“This £70 million investment will, via the Future Telecoms UKRI Technology Missions Fund (TMF) Programme, form part of the UK’s contribution to international cooperation in this field and provide tangible benefits to the population and economy.
The UKRI Technology Missions funding is designed to exploit the UK’s global leadership in transformative technologies to help solve specific problems, while also helping to lay the foundations for a longer-term leading position.
In addition, UKRI is investing £250 million through the UKRI Technology Missions Fund to enable new and existing capabilities and capacity in artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and engineering biology in the years 2023–2025 and beyond.”
University-led Future Telecoms Research Hubs will support early-stage 6G research, while UKRI will fund application-oriented challenges designed to accelerate market-ready solutions and strengthen collaboration across the UK telecom sector.
International cooperation through the Global Coalition on Telecommunications will help ensure that UK-led initiatives shape global telecom standards, uphold core values and protect shared security interests.
(Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash)
See also: Ericsson: 20% of 5G users willing to pay extra for enhanced connectivity
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