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Quantum driven technologies, solutions, products and services are expected to bring profound changes to the telecommunications sector.  

The future of fibre-optical communications has the potential to be transformed by quantum-based techniques that use the inherent quantum mechanical properties of light. These techniques will make a significant impact on the telecoms sector in areas such as secure communications, through quantum key distribution (QKD), and encrypted transmissions, as well as quantum computation and the control of large complex dynamic communications networks. Communications itself could fundamentally change in taking advantage of the laws of quantum physics to communicate, via the transmission of data using photons.

The potential of Quantum technologies for telecommunications is part of a wider push in the UK towards commercialisation of Quantum products and services. Given this new direction of travel, techUK believes now is the time to consider whether key markets in the UK are ready, willing and able to realise the full potential of Quantum technologies. We specifically want to understand how the telecoms sector set the right path in adopting quantum-based techniques and how quantum communications can commercialise. 

In this market briefing, techUK seeks to explore these questions and more. We will examine:

  • How to realise the security benefits of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) in critical sectors, such as military communications?
  • Can Quantum Random Number Generation securely develop to fully replace current random number generation?
  • The sectors set to realise the full benefits of quantum communication such as finance, healthcare, and utilities
  • Standards, governance and supply chain challenges

We are delighted to confirm our speakers: 

  • Tim Spiller, Professor of Quantum Information Technologies at the University of York and Director of the Quantum Communications Hub 
  • Jonathan Legh-Smith, Head of Scientific Affairs, BT Group
  • Mr. Dong-Hi Sim, Team Leader, 5GX Standards Team at SK Telecom

This session is just one part of techUK’s year-long campaign on Quantum Commercialisation. In 2021, techUK will bring together the technology sector, key stakeholders, policy makers and the wider business community to discuss whether we have in place what is needed to drive forward the commercialisation of Quantum technologies; create a thriving Quantum market for new products and services; and support the development of a world leading Quantum industry.

You can view the event write-up of our previous event here

Laura Foster

Laura Foster

Associate Director - Technology and Innovation, techUK

Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.

Laura advocates for better emerging technology policy in the UK, including quantum, future of compute technologies, semiconductors, digital ID and more. Working alongside techUK members and UK Government she champions long-term, cohesive, and sustainable investment that will ensure the UK can commercialise future science and technology research. Laura leads a high-performing team at techUK, as well as publishing several reports on these topics herself, and being a regular speaker at events.

Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer exploring adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the team at London Tech Week.

Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University and is a Cambridge Policy Fellow. Outside of work she loves reading, writing and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.

Email:
[email protected]
LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/lauraalicefoster

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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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Sue Daley OBE

Sue Daley OBE

Director, Technology and Innovation

Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work.  This includes work programmes on AI, Cloud, Data, Quantum, Semiconductors, Digital ID and Digital ethics as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy.  In 2025, Sue was honoured with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Technology Industry in the New Year Honours List. She has also been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame. 

A key influencer in driving forward the tech agenda in the UK, in December 2025 Sue was appointed to the UK Government’s Women in Tech Taskforce by the Technology Secretary of State. She also sits on the UK Government’s Smart Data Council, Satellite Applications Catapult Advisory Group, Bank of England’s AI Consortium and BSI’s Digital Strategic Advisory Group. Previously, Sue was a member of the Independent Future of Compute Review and co-chaired the National Data Strategy Forum. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries in 2020, Sue has been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and has been a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI, the UK Tech 50 and annual UK Cloud Awards. She is a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security.

Prior to joining techUK in January 2015, Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland.  Before that, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel. 

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
020 7331 2055
Twitter:
@ChannelSwimSue

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