India and UK Launch Connectivity & Innovation Centre to Boost Advanced Telecom Collaboration

India and the UK have announced a landmark strategic partnership with the launch of the India-UK Connectivity & Innovation Centre, aimed at advancing digital inclusion and fostering secure, innovative telecommunications. The Centre will unite Indian and UK expertise in advanced connectivity, linking university research, lab testing, field trials and market deployment to create commercial opportunities for industry partners. Over the next four years, the Centre will focus on three critical areas: leveraging AI to optimize telecom networks and services, developing non-terrestrial networks (satellite and airborne systems) for reliable rural connectivity and strengthening telecom cybersecurity with open, interoperable solutions. Both countries have committed an initial £24 million to support research, industry-academia collaborations, joint testbeds, and global standards development.