New 'reset vision' for advanced connectivity technologies
A bold new advanced connectivity technologies 6G reset Vision launched today by the University of Surrey’s 6G Innovation Centre (6GIC) promises to eliminate persistent mobile blackspots across the UK, support next-generation AI services, and unlock over £200 billion in economic value over the next decade – in which AI and digital services will become an essential enabler to economic growth.
The reset Vision for advanced connectivity technologies, building on the long-term research priorities of UK mobile network operators and wider industry, sets out a pragmatic roadmap to deliver more reliable, inclusive, and cost-effective mobile connectivity – without the heavy financial burden of traditional “big bang” mobile generational technology upgrades.
Key Proposals from the Vision:
- Pervasive mobile coverage with a national “AI instant access layer”
The Vision proposes using 600 MHz spectrum to deliver a new low-latency national coverage AI instant access layer—ensuring reliable mobile access across transport corridors, indoors, and rural areas. This layer would also serve as a future-ready civil defence backbone at a fraction of the cost of a separate network to prepare for new attack threats.
- A smarter, cheaper “3D network of networks”
Rather than building ever-more tall mobile towers, the plan integrates mobile, satellite, WiFi, and fixed-line networks into a single seamless architecture—lowering cost while increasing resilience.
- Up to £23 billion in annual GVA uplift by 2035
Closing persistent connectivity gaps could add over £200bn to the UK economy in productivity gains, AI adoption, and digital service delivery over the coming decade.
- Regulatory reform and public-private partnerships
The Vision calls for a new public-private approach to shared infrastructure in areas of market failure, including regulatory changes to enable mass deployment of small cells in cities and partnership-based rollout in commercially marginal regions.
- Strategic sovereignty in AI infrastructure
With global standards at risk of fragmentation if 6G is not affordable to all, the Vision backs a twin-track and selective approach to 6G standardisation—giving the UK a focus in shaping global networks to meet sovereign needs with national infrastructure.
The world is becoming more complex, more digital, and more volatile. We must move beyond speculative technology showcases and focus on commercially viable solutions that deliver national economic value, resilience, and security for a new era. This Vision reflects the real-world priorities of UK operators – and proposes reforms that make advanced connectivity technologies investable, deliverable, and matched to the national interest.Professor Ian Corden, one of the report’s lead contributors
Experts at the University of Surrey’s 6G Innovation Centre are now urging Government to align the UK’s mobile regulatory frameworks with its AI and economic growth ambitions, and to continue to support collaborative research into AI-native networking, resilient and secure architectures, and digital inclusion.
Notes to editors
- The 6G Innovation Centre (6GIC) at the University of Surrey is the UK’s leading research centre for next-generation mobile infrastructure, working at the intersection of academic research, industry needs, and public policy.
- Full copy of the report “Advanced connectivity technologies: a reset Vision to support industry and policy priorities” is available on request.
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