A consortium led by West Midlands 5G Ltd (WM5G) has won a £10 million contract to create the UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN).
WM5G, a not-for-profit owned by the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), has won the business from DCMS and said the network will be developed to support telecoms research, development and innovation.
It will guide businesses and researchers looking to access funding or testing facilities in the UK, support public and private sectors in relevant investments, and facilitate knowledge sharing across the telecoms industry.
WM5G said it expects UKTIN to be up and running in September, when it will take over from the UK5G innovation network.
It will also lead the creation of the National Telecoms Entrepreneurship, Employment and Training Network as part of UKTIN.
Turbocharging investment
Robert Franks, managing director of WM5G, said: “We’re delighted to have won this tender along with our consortium partners and DCMS. The UK already invests over £1 billion a year in telecoms research, development and innovation.
“Through UKTIN we will turbocharge this investment – helping the UK extend its leadership in open networks and vital new technologies such as 5G and 6G – building on the strengths of our regional clusters to create more skilled jobs, attract more investment and deliver economic growth.”
Other members of the consortium include the Digital Catapult and the University of Bristol.
