New Delhi, Oct 10 (NationPress) In a significant strategic collaboration aimed at enhancing digital inclusion and forging the future of secure, innovative communications, India and the UK officially inaugurated the 'India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre' on Friday.

This centre is designed to merge the unique strengths of UK and Indian innovation in advanced connectivity, integrating leading-edge research from universities with laboratory testing and field trials, ultimately facilitating market introduction.

The initiative is expected to unlock new business opportunities by empowering industry partners to innovate, test, and scale their products while establishing a pathway for market adoption, as stated by the government.

In the next four years, which are deemed crucial for defining the technological and commercial landscape for 6G, the Centre will concentrate on three primary focus areas: Revolutionizing telecom through AI – employing advanced AI technologies to enhance networks, increase efficiency, and introduce new services; developing non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) by creating satellite and airborne systems to provide dependable, high-speed connectivity to underserved rural and remote areas; and fortifying Telecoms Cybersecurity to bolster network security while promoting open and interoperable solutions.

Connectivity and telecommunications technologies are fundamental to our economies and societies. Collaborating on these technologies is anticipated to generate economic and security advantages for both nations, as highlighted in the official statement.

India and the UK have pledged a total of £24 million over four years to propel this initiative forward.

This financial commitment will facilitate applied research between established UK and Indian research institutions, foster industry-academic partnerships, create joint testbeds, and promote targeted collaboration in developing global technical standards.

This initiative, part of the UK-India technology security effort jointly led by UKRI and DoT, exemplifies the UK-India Research and Innovation Corridor in action and aligns with the mutual aspirations outlined in the India-UK Prime Ministers' 2035 Vision, as per the statement.