Researchers developing connectivity technologies capable of the enormous speed, capacity and security needed to make the most of new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), will receive a share of at least £15 million.
For example, work on how new types of fibre optics could transmit data at far higher volumes than current tech allows.
Future telecoms research
The funding will support the three future communications research hubs to continue their cutting-edge research and development (R&D), as well as a unique UK-wide experimentation platform for future telecoms research.
This includes:
- solving how next-generation telecoms technologies can deliver the infrastructure needed by growth industries like AI and data centres
- projects trialling breakthrough tech like quantum networks, light fidelity (Li-Fi, using light, instead of radio waves, to transmit data), and new types of fibre optics
The support was announced by Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle in his speech to the TechUK Tech Policy Conference on 10 March 2025.
Funded projects
The projects being funded through UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Technology Missions Fund are:
Communications Hub for empowering distributed cloud computing applications and research (CHEDDAR)
Funding: £3.5 million
Work led out of Imperial College London will solve how next-generation telecoms technologies can deliver the infrastructure needed for data-intensive growth industries like AI and cloud computing.
Future Communications Hub in all-spectrum connectivity (HASC)
Funding: £3.2 million
University of Oxford-led work to trial new technologies, like new types of fibre optics, that could deliver high capacity, ultra reliable, secure and resilient means of transmitting large volumes of data.
Platform driving the ultimate connectivity (TITAN)
Funding: £4.3 million
A consortium led out of the University of Cambridge that is looking at putting breakthrough technologies like quantum networks and Li-Fi, to practical use.
Joint open infrastructure for networks research (JOINER)
These projects will be complemented by JOINER, which receives £3.6 million.
Led out of the University of Bristol, this will see a national platform set up to enable researchers up and down the UK to test and validate breakthrough telecoms technologies in real-world conditions.
Stronger, more connected UK economy
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:
The UK has deep pedigree and expertise when it comes to developing, commercialising, and then rolling out the most advanced telecoms tech.
Today it is all the more important that we back our telecoms innovators to get their ideas out of the lab, and into use, in every part of the country. Their products will be the foundation upon which we build a new, stronger and more connected economy for the UK: the core of our Plan for Change.
None of our ambitions for national renewal will be possible without a backbone of telecoms tech that can meet the needs of burgeoning new industries like AI and data centres, and turbo-charge existing enterprises too. That is precisely the challenge, that this work sets out to meet.
Transformative technologies
Dr Kedar Pandya, UKRI Technology Missions Fund Senior Responsible Owner and Executive Director of Strategy at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, said:
Transformative technologies, such as AI and Quantum, will accelerate many aspects of our lives and improve the way our businesses and public services run.
However, for us to maximise the benefits these technologies will bring we must ensure our communications systems are able to connect efficiently, safely and securely.
These Future Communications Hubs, funded by UKRI’s Technology Missions Fund, will develop the tools for the job and help the country build the innovative systems we need to succeed.