India and UK launch India–UK Connectivity & Innovation Centre with £24 million over four years
On 10 October 2025 India and the UK announced the India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre, with a combined initial £24 million over four years for research in AI for telecom, non-terrestrial networks and telecom cybersecurity.
Summary
On 10 October 2025 India and the United Kingdom announced the India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre, a strategic partnership on advanced telecommunications delivered jointly by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the UK-India Technology Security Initiative. The two countries committed a combined initial £24 million over four years — the period when 6G's technical and commercial parameters will take shape. The Centre will focus on three areas: transforming telecom with AI, non-terrestrial networks (satellite and airborne systems for rural and remote connectivity), and telecom cybersecurity. Funding will support applied research, industry–academia partnerships, joint testbeds and collaboration on global standards. It is described as a flagship of the UK-India Research and Innovation Corridor and the 2035 Vision.
Key facts
- Centre
- India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre
- Funding
- £24 million combined, over 4 years
- Focus areas
- AI in telecom; non-terrestrial networks; telecom cybersecurity
- Delivered by
- UKRI and DoT under UK-India Technology Security Initiative
- Context
- 6G parameters taking shape; UK-India 2035 Vision
Practice MCQs 2 questions
What combined initial funding have India and the UK committed to the India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — £24 million over four years
PIB: India and the UK have committed a combined initial £24 million over four years to the initiative.
Consider the following statements about the India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre: 1. Its three focus areas are AI in telecom, quantum communication and semiconductor design. 2. It is delivered jointly by UKRI and India's Department of Telecommunications under the UK-India Technology Security Initiative. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. PIB: the three focus areas are transforming telecom with AI, non-terrestrial networks and telecom cybersecurity (not quantum or semiconductors); the Centre is delivered by UKRI and DoT under the UK-India Technology Security Initiative.