Future Telecoms Conference 2026

techUK’s Future Telecoms Conference marks the beginning of the next decade of investment and development in telecommunications. Taking place six months on from the publication of the UK’s Industrial Strategy Digital and Technologies Sector Plan, we’ll assess its progress and impact so far.

UK telecommunications companies have also seen the release of the Infrastructure Strategy and the Proposed Statement of Strategic Priorities - all of which set out the vision, operational ambitions, and regulatory pathway to future-proof connectivity in the UK.

These documents acknowledge that telecoms is the backbone of the wider digital ecosystem and a cornerstone for productivity and economic growth. For that reason, they have earmarked over £370 million in investments for research and commercialisation of digital infrastructure across diverse use cases.

Telecoms is the foundation of AI, cybersecurity, and other critical technologies - and benefits itself from the advance in other areas for the delivery of faster, smarter connectivity. Therefore, the next phase is critical. Turning these strategies from vision into value means accelerating real-world adoption that drives productivity, economic growth, social benefit, innovation, talent development, and trust in technology.

Are we moving fast enough to match the scale of the opportunity? And how can government and industry work together to deliver a truly connected-by-design economy by 2030 - or sooner?

What you will get out of the event

Explore practical solutions to extend high-quality connectivity to every corner of the UK, addressing challenges such as planning constraints, cost-sharing models, and spectrum availability.
Understand how telecoms underpins essential industries - healthcare, transport, energy, and manufacturing - and how integrated connectivity can unlock efficiencies, resilience, and innovation across these domains.
Learn about new approaches to network deployment and service delivery, including public-private partnerships, shared infrastructure models, and leveraging emerging technologies like Open RAN and satellite for cost-effective scalability.

Confirmed speakers

Tony Lavender, Plum Consulting
Cristina Data, JRC
Huw Saunders, Home Office
Lucie Smith, Mova
Henry Parker, Cellnex
Matthew Howett, Assembly Research
Dan Warren, Samsung
Dimitra Simenidou, JOINER
Dritan Kaleshi, Digital Catapult
Matt Robinson, techUK
Freyja Lockwood, West of England Combined Authority
John Duncan, Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Who should attend

This event is designed for:

Technology leaders, CIOs, CTOs, and innovation teams
Policy professionals and public sector digital leaders
Founders, scale-ups, and ACT entrepreneurs
Investors and ecosystem builders
Data scientists, cyber resilience practitioners, and technical specialists
Regulators and governance professionals
Industry leaders across sectors exploring or scaling telecommunications

If you are involved in shaping, implementing, or accelerating connectivity strategies within your organisation or sector, this conference will provide the insights and connections to take the next step.

What to expect on the agenda

Join the UK’s leading telecoms companies, policymakers, and innovators for keynotes, expert panels, and practical discussions as we reflect on the last year of UK connectivity strategies and explore the next chapter for future-proof networks. What will it take to convert vision into value and ensure these strategies deliver real impact at pace?

You can expect:

Keynotes from leading UK tech and policy voices on framing connectivity as a national priority for growth and productivity.
Expert panels on critical topics including mission-critical communications, infrastructure delivery, spectrum strategy, and the role of ACTs in shaping a connected UK.
Deep dives into next-generation technologies such as satellite integration, Open RAN, and resilient network models to close the digital divide.
Networking with founders, investors, technologists, regulators, and policymakers to build partnerships to accelerate deployment and innovation.
Insight-rich discussions on the future of connectivity covering infrastructure, spectrum, resilience, security, and inclusion - plus what policy actions are needed now to lead globally by 2035.

Event details:

Timings: 09:00-17:00

Ticket prices:

techUK member ticket - free
Public sector - free
Non-member ticket - £170.00 + VAT

Please note: a refund will be given on cancellations received in writing 6 weeks prior to the event. Regrettably no refunds can be given after this date. Full terms and conditions can be viewed here.