£13million has been confirmed for 11 telecoms and networking projects across the UK, helping startups, universities and established companies scale up and commercialise ongoing work.
Funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the national funding agency for channeling public money into science and tech projects, the scheme focuses on advanced and future connectivity techniques. This focus on 6G mobile broadband and fibre optics, including 3D video streaming, ground and Earth satellites, and high speed internet for remote locations.
The announcement follows the second phase of a competition to drive Advanced Connectivity Technologies — formerly refereed to as Future Telecomms. One of six ‘frontier technologies’ highlighted in the Digital and Technologies Sector Plan, which the UK Government confirmed would be prioritised within 10-year Industrial Strategy.
The recipients include:
Novocomms Limited, Birmingham — developing ultra-high speed wireless access solutions for hard-to-reach areas
Fraunhofer Uk Research Limited, Glasgow — solutions to challenges using light-based communications in environmental conditions such as cloud and fog, in partnership with AV Optics (Yeovil), BAE Systems (Preston), Bay Photonics (Paignton), and Cohesion (Southampton)
Nephelie Technologies Limited, Bristol — wireless 3D streaming at scale, enabling users to appear and interact in remote spaces as if they were physically there
Vector Photonics Limited, Glasgow — developing high optical power PCSEL Laser for Intersatellite Data Transmit enhancement, transferring data via light at ultra-high speeds
Nquiringminds Limited, Southampton — a new approach to network security, providing evidence of ‘trustworthiness’ for networks and network types
Acculink Technology Limited, Cirencester — expediting the introduction of 5G microwave installation with technology to maintain stability and accuracy of connections in unstable environments
Pangolin Industries Ltd., Livingston & Glasgow — advanced light sensors to help test and maintain fibre optic networks through new chip design
Alter Technology TUV Nord UK Limited, Livingston — improved optical communications between satellites
University of Surrey, Surrey — demonstration of Swept Beam Antennas for Coverage and Cell-Edge Capacity Enhancement in an Operational 4G / 5G Cellular Testbed Network
Archangel Lightworks Ltd, Oxford — Low Earth Orbit communications satellites
Weaver Labs Limited, Milton Keynes & London — cutting-edge private 5G allowing visitors to Stadium MK to interact with multiple services in real time during matches
This investment is a major milestone for Innovate UK in delivering DSIT’s vision for world-class Advanced Connectivity Technologies,’ said Gary Cutts, Innovate UK Executive Director Digital & Technologies. These cutting-edge projects show how targeted innovation funding can unlock transformative technologies, like 6G and optical wireless, bringing real benefits to rural communities, emergency services and the wider UK economy through home-grown innovation.’
Image: JJ Ying / Unsplash
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