The UK’s advanced manufacturing sector is entering a decisive moment. As factories become more automated, data-driven and digitally integrated, connectivity is no longer a supporting function; it is becoming foundational infrastructure. Delivering manufacturing-grade telecommunications capabilities will require strategic coordination between manufacturing, telecoms providers, and government. 

This roundtable, in partnership with Make UK, brings together leaders across manufacturing, telecoms, and policy to explore how the UK can build the communications backbone required for advanced manufacturing. Participants will assess connectivity requirements for emerging industrial applications, the roles of public and private networks, and the governance and investment models needed to scale adoption across regions and sectors. 

 

What We’re Exploring 

This roundtable examines how digital infrastructure can be better aligned with the needs of advanced manufacturing. Rather than starting with preferred technologies, we will focus on requirements, options, and scalable models. 

 

Key areas include: 

  • Who should coordinate cross-sector connectivity requirements 

  • Public vs private networks for industrial applications 

  • Avoiding fragmentation and enabling economies of scale 

  • The role of government and regulators in de-risking investment 

  • Ensuring SMEs can access industrial-grade connectivity 

  • Lessons from cross-sector infrastructure planning (energy, transport, logistics) 

 

Who Should Attend? 

This roundtable is designed for: 

  • Manufacturers 

  • Telecommunications providers 

  • Technology and industrial solutions providers 

  • Government and public bodies 

  • Industry associations and clusters 

  • SMEs and scaling manufacturers 
     

 

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.

 

 

Upcoming events

22 January 2026

Telecoms Security Act: Industry Sessions - January 2026

Online Meeting
3 February 2026

Timing resilience for data centres webinar

Online Webinar
5 February 2026

Manufacturing connectivity roundtable: building the communications backbone for advanced manufacturing

London Roundtable

Latest news and insights 

Learn more and get involved

 

Telecoms updates

Sign-up to get the latest updates and opportunities from our Communications Infrastructure and Services programme.

 

 

Here are the five reasons you should join the Telecoms programme

Download

Join techUK groups

techUK members can get involved in our work by joining our groups, and stay up to date with the latest meetings and opportunities in the programme.

Learn more

 

 

Become a techUK member

Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.

Learn more

 Meet the team

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/

Read lessmore

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

Read lessmore

Josh Turpin

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/

Read lessmore

 

 

 

Return to listing