New DCMS competition for Open RAN product development
A £30 million competition has been launched by DCMS to fund innovative R&D projects to help develop new wireless communication technology. Entitled FRANC (Future RAN Competition), the initiative will award funding to tech and telecoms innovators to accelerate the development and deployment of viable Open RAN products for the UK’s public 5G mobile networks.
The goal is to encourage new equipment to enter the UK’s telecoms supply chain and create a stronger case for government and business investment in new mobile technology.
Proposals could include exploring issues around power efficiency, the management of spectral resource, the availability of advanced software platforms, systems integration and security. The government hopes the competition will foster new research collaboration between international and new homegrown players in the UK’s public telecoms networks.
Today's announcement is another positive step in driving forward the UK's telecoms diversification agenda, with concrete action to help support the development of innovative new products for our mobile network infrastructure. It is a clear signal that the UK has a world-leading market in which to innovate and invest, as well as spurring the opportunity for UK tech companies, SMEs and academia to take advantage of this growing global market. We find ourselves at the start of a challenging period of time, with pressure on rolling out 5G at pace whilst ensuring our networks are resilient, secure and future proof. That's why it's important that government bring forward further plans on supporting open and disaggregated networks, from technical standards to a long term R&D roadmap.
The deadline for applications for the FRANC is 27 August 2021, with winning projects expected to be announced in the autumn.
Government responds to Telecoms Diversification Taskforce report
DCMS has also made two further announcements. Firstly, it has issued its high level response to the recommendations made by the independent industry group, the Telecoms Diversification Taskforce, which published its findings in April 2021. The response outlines how it will forward the taskforce’s recommendations across four areas as well as its activity to date.
Secondly, the Taskforce will be renamed the Telecoms Supply Chain Diversification Advisory Council, and will be led by new chair Simon Blagden. The Council will be permanent external independent body to advise on the delivery of the diversification strategy and wider related issues, including potential supply chain issues in other telecoms equipment such as fixed broadband.
Sophie Greaves
Sophie Greaves
Sophie Greaves is Head of Programme for Communications Infrastructure and Services at techUK, and oversees the UK Spectrum Policy Forum.
Sophie was promoted to Head having been Programme Manager for Communications Infrastructure and Services, leading techUK's telecoms activities, engagement and policy development. Previously, Sophie was Programme Assistant across a variety of areas including the Broadband Stakeholder Group, Central Government, Financial Services and Communications Infrastructure programmes.
Prior to joining techUK, Sophie completed a masters in Film Studies at University College London; her dissertation examined US telecoms policy relating to net neutrality and content distribution.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2038
- Twitter:
- @SJMJames1
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiegreaves/
Tales Gaspar
Tales Gaspar
Tales has a background in law and economics, with previous experience in the regulation of new technologies and infrastructure.
In the UK and Europe, he offered consultancy on intellectual property rights of cellular and IoT technologies and on the regulatory procedures at the ITU as a Global Fellow at the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI).
Tales has an LL.M in Law and Business by the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) and an MSc in Regulation at the London School of Economics, with a specialization in Government and Law.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- +44 (0) 0207 331 2000
- Website:
- www.techUK.org
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/talesngaspar
Matthew Evans
Matthew Evans
Matthew Evans leads techUK’s Market Programme teams and is a member of the senior leadership team.
The Market Programme teams help techUK members apply innovative technology solutions across a range of sectors, including the Public Sector, Telecoms, Climate, Financial Services and Cyber. Matt also leads our Nations and Regions work.
Matt sits on a number of industry bodies, including the UKspace Executive Committee and the Task & Finish Group on Industry Resilience for Critical Minerals. Matt has previously represented techUK on the Steering Board of the Electric Vehicle Energy Taskforce, Digital Framework Task Group and the advisory board for the Prospering from the Energy Revolution industrial challenge fund.
Prior to his appointment in early 2019, Matt led techUK’s Smart Infrastructure and IoT work, as well as being CEO of the Broadband Stakeholder Group (now Digital Connectivity Forum). During this time he led the telecoms industry’s approach to lowering the cost of network deployment, played a key role in coordinating it’s response to Brexit and was closely involved in the development of the Government’s Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review. He also assisted in the development of the UK’s first secure by design Code of Practice aimed at consumer IoT, oversaw the publication of a paper outlining the tech sector’s view of future mobility services and drove engagement around the use of digital twins.
Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked in Arqiva's public policy team, across the broadcast and telecoms markets. Before that he was a researcher for an MP at Westminster.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2034
- Twitter:
- @Matthew_evs
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-evans-1349b145/
Diversifying Telecoms Week 2021
From 22 to 26 March, techUK members, stakeholders and industry experts came together to explore topics and themes in telecoms diversification, and the future of the UK's networks.