Identifying new opportunities to increase international trade in telecoms

In 2020 Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult identified sizeable markets for the UK compound semiconductor industry to address, from the immediate opportunity rapid rollout of 5G and the longer term opportunities in quantum and satellite communications.

The Catapult worked with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) on preparing the case for a £250 million investment in telecom diversification, which was announced in November 2020.

To support the UK Government’s ambition for a UK-India free trade agreement, the Catapult led an India-UK Future Telecom Programme, which identified priorities for India-UK bilateral collaboration in telecom networks.

The programme was launched by the Foreign Secretary, the DCMS Minister and their counterparts in India. The Catapult consulted over 180 senior telecoms executives from the UK and India, leading to detailed plans for collaboration.

In March 2022, the Catapult led a UK delegation to India to discuss the programme with Government officials, industry, and academia to identify five areas for future collaboration. In June, the Catapult brought a delegation of senior Indian telecom executives to meet with UK Ministers and the UK telecom industry to cement the plans.

The Future Telecom Programme complements a similar programme led by the Catapult to identify bilateral opportunities with India for the electrification of transport.