The UK-India Future Networks Initiative (UKI-FNI) is an initial £1.4million project led by the University of East Anglia (UEA) and has been funded by the UK Government to explore innovations in the supply chain for hardware and software systems that provide access, connectivity and services for future digital networks.
The UKI-FNI project, collaborating with scientists and engineers in India, will also develop a joint vision and research strategy roadmap for the future of 5G and 6G and integration with Optical networks.
Prof Gerard Parr, Chair in Telecommunications Engineering and Head of School of Computing Sciences at UEA, is leading the project. Partners include Regius Prof Rahim Tafazolli at the University of Surrey; Prof Lajos Hanzo at the University of Southampton; and Prof Steve Hailes at University College London. Key partners in India are Prof KVS Hari of the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore and Prof Subrat Kar of the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.
The project will explore the technical requirements for future integrated digital networks, the establishment of an experimental testbed connecting India and the UK to test innovative solutions. The project aims to identify opportunities for increased competitiveness and choice of vendors that design, manufacture and deploy systems such as antennae, transmission and switching equipment at base stations, as well as the integration components that support backhaul transport and associated network management control systems.
Zoom invites will be sent nearer the event date.
Draft Agenda
10:00-10:15: Welcome Remarks – Introduction to the UKI-FNI Project- Objectives for the workshop: Professor Gerard Parr, Chair in Telecommunications Engineering and Head of School of Computing Sciences at UEA
10:15-10:30: Special Remarks on Digital Communications Sector, Dr Mike Short- CBE Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA), Department for International Trade( DIT), UK Government
10:30-10:45: Challenges and Opportunities with Future Digital Networks, Regius Professor Rahim Tafazolli, Head of the Institute for Communication Systems (ICS), University of Surrey – UK
10:45-11:00: Future Networks Strategies and Priorities – India, Professor KVS Hari, IISc Bangalore
11:00-11:05: Comfort break
11:05-11:20: The View from Industry Perspective (TBC): Challenges of Future Networks, Badri Gomatam, Group Chief Technology Officer, Sterlite Technologies India
11:20-11:35: Dr Adrian Sharples, BT Senior Wireless Research Manager at BT Laboratories, Member of UKI-FNI Advisory Board
11:35-12:15: Panel Discussion Facilitator – Professor Lajos Hanzo, University of Southampton, Areas for special attention: Hardware/firmware, management software, AI orchestration, Terrestrial & non-terrestrial integration for NGNs, Systems integration, RAN-Optical interface
12:15 -12:30: Closing Remarks and areas for future events, Professor Gerard Parr – UEA, UKI-FNI Project Lead PI
For more information, please contact the below Secretariat Team:
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
