The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is inviting feedback from across the Advanced Connectivity Technology (ACT) ecosystem on proposals for the UK’s future ACT R&D Programme, which will focus on secure and resilient connectivity in addition to sustainable, energy-efficient networks.
The grand challenges below are designed to guide the strategic direction of ACT research and innovation over the next four years, helping to realise DSIT’s ambition for the UK to play a leading role in the networks of the future. They will help inform the principles for future funding competitions delivered via UKRI.
DSIT has committed to three priorities for connectivity networks: digital inclusion, security, and sustainability. These priorities are embedded in the broader ambition set out in the Digital and Technologies Sector Plan under the Industrial Strategy. The ACT R&D Programme is a key part of delivering this ambition. DSIT wants to drive greater ACT development in the UK through a targeted research programme that brings together industry and academia with an increased focus on commercialisation, leveraging UK strengths and priority applications, such as defence, transport and future telecoms networks, including satellites. Your feedback will help ensure the programme remains relevant, forward-looking, and capable of delivering long-term impact.
Two Grand Challenges for networks in these priority verticals have been identified:
Secure and Resilient Connectivity – positioning the UK as a leader in trustworthy, robust, and exportable network technologies. This challenge will develop solutions which position the UK as a leader in secure communications, underpinning critical national infrastructure and economic sectors. This includes the integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks to expand coverage and provide resilience to connectivity networks. The key outcome will be to create networks that are trustworthy, reliable, and able to withstand disruption, while preparing for emerging risks.
Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Networks – ensuring that increased digitisation does not come at an unsustainable environmental or financial cost. This challenge will drive innovation in technologies that reduce the environmental impact of telecoms while ensuring that finite spectrum is used as effectively as possible. The key outcome will be to create sustainable, energy-efficient networks that contribute to the UK’s clean power commitments.
To share your thoughts and insights on these proposals, please complete the following consultation survey: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=BXCsy8EC60O0l-ZJLRst2ATvx5xoC5FBjFF3QIQN_dVUQ01aN0lITVFFV01SNTkwOFJMTDZLMjBQUS4u
