With the 2G switch-off set for 2033, a voluntary Charter published in March 2026 and a projected 39 billion connected devices by 2030, the UK faces two simultaneous tasks: migrating millions of legacy IoT devices, and designing connectivity from the ground up for machine intelligence rather than retrofitting human-centric 4G and 5G. This session brings operators, vendors and policy voices together on the practical, near-term steps needed to get there. 

What this webinar covers 

  • The 2G switch-off: coordinating a national transition plan for the millions of IoT devices still dependent on 2G ahead of the 2033 deadline. 
  • Sensors at scale: the case for a national sensor infrastructure strategy, treated as economic infrastructure and as the physical layer of AI. 
  • Connectivity fit for machines: embedding IoT and agentic-AI requirements into 6G standardisation now, rather than retrofitting later. 
  • Investment incentives, spectrum decisions and the LPWAN and private-5G build-out that sensor-dense environments will need. 

Agenda 

  • Welcome and framing from the techUK ACT programme
  • Opening remarks: findings from the DCF/Plum 2G report and the future of IoT
  • Chaired panel with operator, vendor and end-user perspectives
  • Audience Q&A and closing remarks

Why it matters 

The 2G switch-off is a hard deadline attached to devices in metering, telematics, alarms and healthcare that were never designed to be migrated at scale. At the same time, agentic AI is creating demand for a connectivity layer built for machines. Organisations that plan the migration and shape the standards now will avoid absorbing both costs at once — and members attending will leave with a clear view of who owns which part of the transition. 

Who should attend 

IoT product, connectivity and estate owners; operators and MVNOs planning legacy migration; device manufacturers and module vendors; utilities, transport, healthcare and other sectors with large deployed IoT estates; and policy teams working on DSIT's IoT, AI and spectrum agendas. 

Session 2 of three in techUK's Building Trust in 6G series. Sessions are bookable individually or as a series. 

 

Telecoms Programme activities

techUK brings together government, the regulator, telecom companies and stakeholders to help the UK maximise the benefits of adopting advanced communications services. We ensure our members have a clear understanding of market developments, customer requirements, and government priorities. Visit the programme page here.

 

 

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 Meet the team

Tales Gaspar

Tales Gaspar

Programme Manager, UK SPF and Satellite, techUK

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

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Sophie Greaves

Sophie Greaves

Associate Director, Digital Infrastructure, techUK

Sophie Greaves is Associate Director for Digital Infrastructure at techUK, overseeing the Telecoms Programme, the Data Centres Programme, and the UK Spectrum Policy Forum.

Sophie leads our work across telecoms networks, security and resilience, supply chain diversification, advanced communications technologies, spectrum policy, and data centres - bringing these areas together into a dedicated Digital Infrastructure unit. She was previously Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy. 

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:
0207 331 2038
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiegreaves/,https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiegreaves/

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Josh Turpin

Josh Turpin

Senior Programme Manager, Telecoms and Net Zero, techUK

Josh joined techUK as a Programme Manager for Telecoms and Net Zero in August 2024.

In this role, working jointly across the techUK Telecoms and Climate Programmes, Josh is responsible for leading on telecoms infrastructure deployment and uptake and supporting innovation opportunities, as well as looking at how the tech sector can be further utilised in the UK’s decarbonisation efforts.  

Prior to joining techUK, Josh’s background was in public affairs and communications, working for organisations across a diverse portfolio of sectors including defence, telecoms and infrastructure; aiding clients through stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, media outreach as well as secretariat duties.

Outside of work, Josh has a keen interest in music, painting and sailing.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
020 7331 2038
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-turpin/

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