Connected Britain took place at ExCeL London from the 11th to the 12th of September. The comprehensive two-day programme brought together 7,500 industry experts, innovators, and policymakers to shape the future of connectivity. With showcases from local authorities, cutting-edge exhibitors, and networking opportunities, the UK’s biggest digital economy event was a must-attend for those driving the nation’s digital transformation.

The first day consisted of an opening address and a range of panels, five of which have been summarised below. 

The ARI-5G project core focus was on implementing, testing, and demonstrating an open standards-based RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) platform and developing innovative applications for four crucial use cases.

UKTIN is proud to be an editorial partner for a new programme from ITN Business which features organisations that are playing a part in the digital revolution and enabling connectivity, along with the people implementing this transformation.

5G MCN Growth Rate Stalled Out for the First Time, Declining 8 Percent in 2Q 2024

According to a recently published report from Dell’Oro Group, the trusted source for market information about the telecommunications, security, networks, and data center industries, the 2Q 2024 Mobile Core Network (MCN) market cratered 15 percent year-over-year (Y/Y), marking a historic low point in growth. The 5G MCN market growth stalled for the first time, declining 8 percent Y/Y in 2Q 2024.

FarrPoint, a leading connectivity consultancy, unveiled its new report on digital connectivity readiness across the G7. The report, "International Digital Connectivity Readiness Index", measures performance across both digital infrastructure — such as broadband, Gigabit, 4G, and 5G connectivity — and digital adoption, which includes metrics like digital skills, online security, access to public services, affordability, and innovation.

Building the foundations for telecoms supply chai diversification 

The SONIC Labs Annual Report 2023/24 highlights the significant progress made since the programme’s inception in October 2020. It demonstrates how SONIC Labs continues to provide value in enhancing capability for the UK and how it contributes to Digital Catapult’s mission in championing the development of data-enabled and open future networks.

Hello, I’m Gabriela Styf Sjoman, Managing Director of Research and Network Strategy at BT which is the UK’s leading fixed and mobile communications provider. Connectivity is integral to modern life and nothing in society works without it. It is constantly evolving and continues to provide more and more positive outcomes – for people, businesses and society. 

It is my job to decide how technologies should influence how we build and operate our networks to serve our mobile and fixed-line customers. 

• UK wireless tech company Filtronic is benefitting from its strategic partnership with Elon Musk’s SpaceX
• The British vendor has a five-year deal to supply amplifiers to SpaceX for its Starlink low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites
• SpaceX has already placed initial purchase orders for Filtronic’s E-band solid state power amplifier designed for use in LEO data communications and pledged to an ‘order flow’ over the coming years 
• Filtronic’s share price has ramped up and the company now expects its fina

Market Revenue Declined 33 Percent Year-over-Year in Quarter

According to a recently published report by Dell’Oro Group, the trusted source for market information about the telecommunications, security, networks, and data center industries, spending on Service Provider Routers declined sharply in the second quarter of 2024, resulting in a 33 percent year-over-year decline in router equipment revenue.

• China’s ‘big three’ mobile operators report 20 million 5G net adds in July
• Fixed broadband growth not so impressive
• Cloud-based services boost operators’ H1 2024 results

The number of 5G subscribers in China continues to make vaulting monthly leaps, equivalent to the population of a small- to mid-sized country.