Launched in 2022, Ericsson’s multi-million GBP UK research investment is advancing 6G and next-generation network technologies, positioning the UK at the forefront of future communications innovation well into the 6G era.
Ericsson is building on its strong UK presence with continued long-term investment in world-leading research focused on 6G and next-generation network technologies. First launched in 2022, the UK-based research centre is advancing key technology innovation areas including multiple Transmission Reception Point (multi-TRP) and Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) architectures, cognitive networks, 6G network deployment optimization, energy efficiency, resilience, and network security, which are core pillars of future global digital infrastructure as we move towards the 6G era.
The initiative fosters close collaboration between researchers, PhD students, academic institutions, communications service providers (CSPs), and industry partners, driving forward breakthrough projects that shape global technology development, and network evolution, targeting product innovation.
Ericsson is proud to have contributed to initial UK 6G research collaborations, including ongoing participation in the REASON project, and the TUDOR project which concluded earlier this year. Ericsson Research in the UK, in collaboration with its UK customers and partners , are already actively contributing to the development of new 3GPP specifications.
These initiatives have laid important groundwork for next-generation network innovation, reinforcing the UK’s position as a leader in the future of advanced connectivity. This aligns with the government’s recently published Digital and Technologies Sector Plan, which allocates £370 million to advanced connectivity technologies, with the aim of establishing the UK as a leader in frontier technologies and driving economic growth.
Ericsson remains committed to supporting the Government in driving innovation in advanced communications technologies, in close collaboration with UK academia, research institutions, and industry, supporting cutting-edge research and playing an active role in shaping the technologies and standards that will define 6G.
Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “Ericsson’s continued commitment to 6G research in the UK demonstrates the strength of our nation as a global hub for telecommunications innovation.
“By bringing together UK academia, industry and world-class researchers, we’re not just developing the technologies of tomorrow – we’re securing Britain’s position as a world leader in developing and deploying Advanced Connectivity Technologies, a key frontier technology that will help grow the economy and deliver on our Plan for Change.”
Magnus Frodigh, VP & Head of Ericsson Research, said: “Ericsson’s continued investment in UK-based research reinforces our commitment to driving global innovation in communications technology. Through this collaborative initiate, we’re not only shaping the future of 6G, but also ensuring that the UK remains at the forefront of developing international standards for next-generation networks. This research program will play a crucial role in realizing the potential of 6G to create a more connected and sustainable world.”
Katherine Ainley, CEO of Ericsson UK & Ireland, said: “Ericsson has been a leading player in UK telecommunications for well over a century. We’re proud to recommit to this 6G research program, which continues to support the government’s ambition to lead the world in advanced connectivity technologies. By partnering with local academia, mobile operators, and industry players, we’re driving future innovation and creating new opportunities for the UK’s digital ecosystem.
6G is expected to emerge in the 2030s, expanding on the transformative potential of 5G. It is set to enable a smarter, more sustainable and efficient society by integrating the digital and physical worlds. Anticipated applications include multi-sensory extended reality, precision healthcare, smart agriculture, robots, and intelligent autonomous systems.
Ericsson’s ongoing investment in UK-based research reflects its long-standing role in the country’s telecoms ecosystem, and support of the Government’s ambition to position the UK at the forefront of future communications technologies and global standards.