The UK has announced a major new investment to bolster its advanced connectivity technologies (ACT) sector as it positions itself competitively in the global push towards 6G and other future networks.
This includes a commitment of £240 million over four years to a targeted ACT research programme. An additional £130 million will strengthen lab and testbed infrastructure, building on more than £300 million already invested in the sector since 2022.
Advanced Connectivity Technologies – which includes enhancements to 5G, the development of 6G, satellite communications, and optical networks – have been identified as one of six “frontier technologies” in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy and Digital and Technology Sector Plan.
ACT-linked activities already account for roughly a quarter of the UK’s telecoms sector. They generate an estimated £26.2 billion in revenue and £11.1 billion in global gross value added (GVA).
The new investment seeks to build on this foundation, improving productivity, resilience, and the UK’s ability to export its technologies.
The programme builds on existing initiatives, including the Open Networks R&D Fund and the establishment of facilities such as the UK Telecoms Lab.
It also ties into broader efforts to shape international standards and secure spectrum allocations ahead of the World Radio Conference in 2027.
By focusing on open, secure, and resilient connectivity, the UK government hopes to maintain technological sovereignty while fostering innovation that benefits both domestic users and global markets.
The announcement comes as countries around the world ramp up efforts in next-generation wireless technologies.
Early commercial 6G deployments are eyed from around 2029–2030, with the technology expected to deliver transformative improvements in speed, latency, reliability, and integration with AI, sensing, and non-terrestrial networks.
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