London/New Delhi: In a significant move to bolster Indo-UK collaboration in next-generation telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and space technology, India’s Secretary (Telecom) visited the United Kingdom to engage with senior officials from the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), UK and other key stakeholders in the digital and telecom ecosystem.
During the visit, the Secretary (Telecom) met with Chris Johnson, National Scientific Adviser, and Dave Smith, National Technology Adviser of DSIT, UK, to discuss the evolving landscape of 5G, 6G, and digital infrastructure security. The discussions emphasized emerging technologies and their role in shaping the future of telecommunications.
Additionally, the Secretary held discussions with Geoff Huggins, Director, Digital Directorate, Government of Scotland, focusing on digital transformation, telecom security, and emerging telecom technologies. A field visit to one of the six Federated Telecom Hubs (FTH) in the UK, specializing in Cloud and Distributed Computing (CHEDDAR), provided insights into pioneering research in 6G distributed cloud, AI for 6G, green 6G, and advanced sensing technologies.
Further strengthening AI-focused collaborations, the Secretary met with Jean Innes, CEO of the Alan Turing Institute, where discussions revolved around AI for telecom security, digital twins, ethical AI, and fostering an AI startup ecosystem. The visit also included interactions at Scotland’s 5G Centre at the University of Strathclyde and the 6G Research Centre at the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering, facilitating conversations on 6G innovation, future sensing technologies, and technology exchange, including the 5G stack and student exchange programs.
UK-India Telecom Roundtable & MoU Signing
As part of the UK-India Technology Security Initiative (TSI), a telecom roundtable was organized by the High Commission of India (HCI) in collaboration with the UK Technology Innovation Network (UKTIN). The roundtable witnessed participation from DSIT, leading companies such as BT and Ericsson, innovation hubs like SONIC Labs, UK Telecom Labs, TITAN, and JOINER, along with representatives from the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency, Innovate UK, and UKTIN.
Following discussions on mutual cooperation in telecom innovation, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between SONIC Labs and the Centre for Development of Telematics (CDOT), India. The MoU focuses on Open RAN-related policy and technical matters, including 5G Open RAN and AI applications in 4G/5G networks.
Key areas of collaboration identified during the deliberations included:
- Joint Centres of Excellence for telecom cybersecurity, AI in telecom, and digital twins
- Leveraging mobile data for infrastructure planning, replicating India’s success in metro route planning
- Joint contributions to ITU for developing 6G standards (IMT 2030)
- Mutual recognition of telecom testing labs and establishing new testing facilities
- Advancing quantum communication solutions and submarine sea cable security
- Promoting India’s indigenous 4G/5G telecom stack developed by CDOT
- Collaboration on space technology communication (TN-NTN) between Bharat 6G Alliance and UK partners
This visit underscored the shared vision of India and the UK in driving telecom innovation and digital transformation. It reaffirmed India’s leadership in shaping global telecom policies, AI-driven solutions, and next-generation connectivity infrastructure, while strengthening international cooperation for a digitally inclusive future.
