University of Bristol led research will help advance and secure the UK’s future mobile networks while, as Digital Secretary announces, 2G and 3G will be phased out by 2033.

Funding for Bristol’s two new projects is part of the UK Government’s £50 million package to boost innovation in mobile network technology. This investment will support the UK’s infrastructure innovation ecosystem and contribute to the delivery of the 5G Supply Chain Diversification Strategy.

The University of Bristol’s Smart Internet Lab is already known for its pioneering research into 5G and played a major role in the Government’s £200 million 5G Testbeds and Trials program.

The funding announced today by Digital Secretary Nadine Dorries will see the University work with two leading technology companies, Cellnex UK and Parallel Wireless, to accelerate the development of a new wireless communication technology known as high-performance Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN) solutions.

Importantly, this technology enables mobile networks to be built using a variety of different equipment suppliers, where previously all components were provided by a single supplier.

Read full press release here.