Written by Joe Butler
Since the launch of the UK Telecom Innovation Network in April 2023, much has been accomplished. The network and expertise now mobilised is already delivering significant benefit and is set to be a valuable resource to the industry and policy makers looking ahead.
When we designed UKTIN we didn’t want to simply create a platform for interaction and communication for the telecommunication sector ecosystem. Connecting the ecosystem is vitally important, but on its own is insufficient. We also wanted to provide a number of services to the sector, and support the development of a longer term view and evidence base in support of industry and policy makers.
The statistics and articles in this publication speak for themselves. UKTIN services are delivering real-world impact. We are active with all nations and regions of the UK, and across all elements of the telecommunication sector.
We have established a set of working groups, processes and structures with wide ranging participation from the senior experts in the sector. Over 400 people are directly involved in UKTIN and all are committed to the success of the sector, from independent experts to the Advisory Board. We are hugely grateful to all those participants who have given up their time. Thank you!
We have made a difference to hundreds of businesses around the UK, helping them in their ambitions to scale, win investment and government funding, find partners and contacts, and to navigate the landscape - catalysing relationships which would not otherwise have formed.
UKTIN is also addressing the demand-side. Here we are looking to accelerate the tangible, real-life effects that advanced connectivity can have on citizens, public services and industries. And address challenges that are often about commercial barriers, cultural inertia and institutional silos.
Pulling all this together over the last year has been a significant effort on behalf of many.
We have created something new: in terms of participation and alignment. It has already produced a coordinated body of work, some published and some to be published over the next weeks and months. But now mobilised, looking ahead UKTIN offers the potential to be a powerful voice and operational network which can bring coherence to the activities and needs of the UK telecoms sector. 2024 promises a year of further change and we will continue to listen to your insights and inputs for UKTIN to be a key voice for the UK telecommunication sector.
