6G is no longer a distant ambition. At workshops convened through techUK's own Advanced Connectivity Technologies programme, practitioners are already describing networks that sense, predict, and act without human intervention. The shift to closed-loop, AI-driven infrastructure is turning into a 5G reality, and 6G will accelerate it dramatically.
In March 2026, the Global Coalition on Telecoms published its Security and Resilience Principles for 6G, setting out clear expectations for governments, operators, and vendors on what a trustworthy 6G network must look like. This event brings that policy agenda into conversation with the latest industry research, putting the UK's technology sector at the heart of a debate that will define the next generation of connectivity.
What to expect
A high-level panel discussion exploring four of the most pressing challenges in 6G security, structured to move from problem to solution to action:
- The scale of the legacy security debt 6G will inherit from 4G and 5G, and what "secure by design" really means in practice
- Whether Zero Trust and Open RAN are living up to their promise, or trading one set of risks for another
- How the industry should be governed and held accountable when resilience commitments are tested by a real crisis
- What needs to happen in the next 24 months for the UK to be in a position to lead, not follow, on 6G security
Why it matters now
6G networks will carry emergency services communications, power industrial automation, and underpin critical public services. Getting the security architecture wrong is not a technical inconvenience. It is a national risk. With UK spectrum policy, Open Networks legislation, and international standards negotiations all active simultaneously, the window to shape outcomes is open, but it will not stay open for long.
Who should attend
This event is designed for senior professionals across the UK technology and policy ecosystem, including:
- Technology companies working in connectivity, cybersecurity, cloud, and AI
- Policymakers and regulators engaged with telecoms security, spectrum, or critical national infrastructure
- Public safety and emergency services technology leads
- Investors and strategy teams tracking the 6G vendor and standards landscape
No deep technical background is required. The discussion is designed to be accessible and actionable for anyone with a stake in how the UK's next generation of connectivity is built and governed.
Part of techUK's Advanced Connectivity Technologies programme
This event is part of techUK's Advanced Connectivity Technologies programme, which brings together many of the UK's most innovative technology companies to convene the sector, champion best practice, and translate industry needs into tangible action from government. 6G security sits at the heart of the programme's 2026 priorities, including the UK's year-long focus on leading the next frontier of secure-by-design broadband, driving adoption of enhanced capabilities across terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, and positioning the UK to lead on the development and deployment of emerging and converging technologies.
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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
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
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
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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