India’s telecoms market has experienced exponential growth in recent years, driven by its expanding digital infrastructure, increasing mobile penetration and rising number of wireless internet users.
Significant investments are being made to expand 5G networks across India. Companies like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have invested heavily in setting up 5G base stations, with an estimated total investment of £21.5bn for the deployment of over 430,000 5G base stations as of March 2024.
In addition, Government programs to improve digital literacy, such as the Digital India campaign, and enhance rural connectivity, are helping boost the quality and reach of telecoms services in India.
Within this aim, India is well on its way to becoming a global telecoms superpower through its own innovations. With 5G deployment expanding rapidly, for example, half of the population are expected to be on 5G by 2030.
In fact, after successfully deploying 5G across the nation in record time, India is now fast advancing on 6G technology, now ranking sixth in the world for global 6G patent filings. It comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims for India to be a front-line contributor in the design, development and deployment of 6G by 2030.
But with such a strong telecoms foundation, the country is well positioned to further accelerate its telecoms growth by partnering with other global leaders in the space.
Collaboration central to telecoms innovation
International collaboration will be central to fully benefiting and scaling from telecoms innovation globally.
Through India’s journey to becoming that superpower, collaboration can open and boost opportunities for investment and innovation – and from the field of global candidates for potential partnership, the UK is one of the strongest.
The UK’s strength in academia and early stage research make it the ideal partner to help accelerate India’s telecoms ambitions. The UK is already widely known for its broad R&D capabilities – and this is especially true for telecoms, where the UK has deep specialist expertise.
The UK also offers a strategically important stepping stone to the wider European market as well as the US, with strong connections into both regions – a key consideration for many Indian firms looking to invest and partner. This makes the UK an attractive testbed environment in which to commercialise R&D.
Combined with India’s expertise, skills and resources to solve common sector challenges, a partnership could rapidly accelerate the journey for mutual benefit with the UK for many reasons.
India and the UK’s natural synergies
The two markets have natural synergies that can be exploited and advanced through closer collaboration, based around their current priorities. For both countries, these include Quantum computing, 5G and 6G technology development, Open RAN, edge computing, non-terrestrial networks, AI-enhanced network solutions and rural connectivity.
From a partnership perspective, the UK is the definitive R&D destination, with telecoms deeply embedded into the country’s DNA. As the PwC Global CEO Survey’s fourth most favoured investment destination, it has many regional clusters of expertise. Its strengths can also help leverage India’s capabilities with expertise in AI, cybersecurity, software, virtualisation, system integration, testing and semiconductors.
Home to world-beating talent and academia, the UK is also a hub for academic and early-stage research. This makes it an attractive choice for Indian telecoms partners seeking to further research and develop new propositions.
The country is widely known for its robust R&D capabilities in telecoms and there are clear opportunities around 6G. Collaborative partnerships for 6G research, sharing testbeds and other R&D projects could draw on a powerful combination of India’s commitment to advancing 6G and the UK’s next-gen networking investments.
Geographically, the UK also holds a strategic position as a stepping stone to the wider European market and the US, with strong connections to both regions. This is a top priority for many Indian firms looking for investment opportunities and an attractive testbed in which to commercialise R&D.
Current collaboration
Initiatives to support collaboration between India and the UK have already become firmly established, showing a clear appetite for partnership.
Strong progress was made in July 2024, for example, with the announcement of the Technology and Security Initiative (TSI), a strategic framework designed to foster deeper collaboration between the two countries.
This initiative, focused on cutting-edge telecoms technologies and bolstering security, is set to unlock new opportunities for both nations, as they strive to be at the forefront of global telecoms advancements.
It includes a heavy focus on telecoms and sets the stage for greater collaboration between the two nations, with areas of focus including advancing Open RAN systems, enhancing telecoms security, innovating in spectrum management and developing next-generation telecoms technologies like 5G and beyond.
In addition, the two countries share a number of research programmes, including a £7 million joint research programme on future telecoms, co-sponsored by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and India’s Department of Science and Technology.
With over 150 broadband providers and 30 mobile operators, the UK is not short of opportunities for market penetration from international partners. Its government also has a strong track record in providing support and investment in the telecoms sector, with significant investment commitments and the ambition to cement itself among the telecoms superpowers.
R&D collaboration with the UK holds significant potential to drive India’s telecom ambitions forward. With aligned objectives, telecoms heritage, robust academia, investment provisions, and its position as a gateway to European and US markets, India could super charge its telecoms power base with a UK partnership.
For Indian telecoms companies looking to access the UK market, it’s important to leverage the support of a specialist international advisor who can help overseas organisations looking to understand more about UK opportunities.
UKTIN, the innovation network for the UK telecoms sector – bringing together industry, government stakeholders and academia to catalyse R&D investment, cooperation and commercialisation – can play a key role in supporting organisations on this journey.
