Government to Open UK Telecommunications Lab in Solihull

The UK Government has today announced their plan to open a new “state-of-the-art UK Telecommunications Lab” in Solihull (West Midlands), which will bring together broadband operators, suppliers and academics to research and test innovative new ways of boosting the security, resilience and speed of 5G and future 6G mobile networks.

The lab, which will aim to create dozens of specialised jobs in telecoms (broadband, mobile etc.) and cybersecurity, is intended to act as a “national research facility” that will enable telecom companies and suppliers to test their equipment – such as radio network infrastructure and the software which underpins it – in a realistic environment (interoperability will be a key focus).

The government believes that this will also help to get faster mobile technology rolled out more quickly, although such things would perhaps be better fostered by the country setting more ambitious 5G coverage goals for the future, which is something that the country currently lacks.

Tech Minister, Damian Collins, said:

“After this summer’s stunning Commonwealth Games it is great to feel the buzz in the city yet again in Birmingham Tech Week.

Fast-growing firms are cementing Birmingham’s status as a tech powerhouse – boosting jobs and spreading economic growth right across the West Midlands.

There is no better home for the new UK Telecoms Lab, which will turn the region into a centre for expertise and innovation in the security of next-generation mobile networks.”

The Lab itself will be based in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull and further details about it will be announced in “due course“.