The UK’s telecoms market is thriving but understanding how the ecosystem is innovating can be difficult, especially considering the rapid advancements in academia. UKTIN is creating Market Research Insight Reports to delve into the telecom sub-sectors. The second report, which has just been published, focuses on wireless networks in telecoms.
Wireless networking technology is an established area with over a century of history: the late 20th century and early 21st century have witnessed a period of rapid technological innovation in wireless networking fields. Advances in wireless mobile cellular connectivity delivering broadband data access in particular have played a key role in most people’s professional and personal lives, with 93% of the UK population owning a mobile phone in 2021.
This report presents insights into research, development and innovation (R&D&I) activities in wireless networking technology in the UK telecoms sector. Advances in wireless network technology will facilitate faster, more secure, reliable and efficient connectivity: a 2022 McKinsey report estimated that the global GDP impact of wireless networking technology developments such as Wi-Fi 6, 5G and 6G and LPWAN networks could be as high as $2 trillion, based on four major industries.
While non-terrestrial wireless networks also fall under the category of wireless networks, the focus of this paper is on terrestrial wireless networks. (R&D&I activities focused on non-terrestrial networks and research related to semiconductors will be covered in future reports.)
Julie Valk, Senior Policy, Research & Engagement Manager, Digital Catapult and one of the authors of the report, commented: “This report presents a snapshot in time of the main trends in UK public R&D&I wireless networking technologies, and will be useful for a wide audience across telecoms professionals, academics and researchers, and policymakers. The report presents insights from a qualitative and quantitative perspective, including insights gathered from academic experts in the field of wireless networking technologies, and data retrieved through quantitative and manual methods from public R&D&I funding sources. Excitingly, an early version of the UKTIN Discovery Toolkit was also used to gather part of this data.”
Report Highlights
The specific focus was placed on quantitative and qualitative data on topics that are of interest to the UK telecoms community, particularly areas that are currently in discussion by the UKTIN Wireless Networking Technologies Expert Working Group, as well as reference to other areas of relevance that are likely to emerge over time, including use cases such as self-driving vehicles, smart systems and the Internet of Things.
Funding: The report identified that in the data retrieved between 2017 and 2023, approximately £668m has been allocated to R&D&I projects relevant to wireless networking technology. Of this amount, UK government-funded programmes accounted for £396.52m (59.3%), emphasising the value of advanced wireless connectivity to the UK’s economy and society. EPSRC, Innovate UK, Horizon Europe Guarantee, ISCF, FLF and GCRF have also provided funding.
Multi-network: Various featured projects outline the multiple components of technology that can be involved in wireless networks. The report suggests further bridging the gap across different sections of wireless research, from the device and physical layer to applications.
Collaboration: Analysis of projects that involved at least one UK partner provides an insight into the UK R&D&I in wireless networking technology in the telecoms landscape. The report found that significant emphasis has been placed on developing mobile transport networks and smart mobility solutions, utilising 5G technology to address evolving transportation needs efficiently.
International activities: The experts interviewed highlighted a range of international collaborations integral to advancing wireless networking technology research. One expert mentioned partnerships with institutions and researchers across Germany, Canada, Singapore, China, and Korea.
Dimitra Simeondiou, University of Bristol and UKTIN Lead for Research Translation said of the report: “In the telecommunications landscape, the UK leads considerable R&D on future wireless technologies, which will be critical in transforming how we live, work and driving national productivity. Ongoing research is focusing on B5G, 6G Open RAN, and Optical Wireless, where the UK is recognised as an innovation champion internationally. This report explores the UK's wireless landscape, challenges, and global positioning, highlighting future opportunities.”
