Recommendations & Conclusions
10 items
2
Conclusion
Second Report: 5G market diversificatio…
Acknowledged
The Government is seeking to attract existing vendors to the UK market in order to diversify the telecommunications vendor market in the short-term. One of the major barriers faced by such companies is the requirement of British network operators for continued provision of older generations of network technology. The main …
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The Government is seeking to attract existing vendors to the UK market in order to diversify the telecommunications vendor market in the short-term. One of the major barriers faced by such companies is the requirement of British network operators for continued provision of older generations of network technology. The main proposal in the Government’s diversification strategy to address this—to consider a transition away from these older technologies—is not a short-term solution.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the committee's observation that the provision of older network technologies is a major barrier to diversification. It states it is working with mobile operators, suppliers, and users to establish a clear roadmap for the long-term use and provision of network services, including …
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Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
6
Recommendation
Second Report: 5G market diversificatio…
Acknowledged
The first live networks using Open RAN are being deployed, with one having launched in Japan last year. The Government should evaluate these initiatives and report regularly on what lessons can be learned from foreign experiences to inform the UK’s strategy for diversifying the vendor market and improving telecommunications security, …
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The first live networks using Open RAN are being deployed, with one having launched in Japan last year. The Government should evaluate these initiatives and report regularly on what lessons can be learned from foreign experiences to inform the UK’s strategy for diversifying the vendor market and improving telecommunications security, with an initial report within the next six months.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the crucial importance of regular information sharing and engagement with international partners to inform the UK's diversification strategy. It is actively working to foster discussion and collaboration internationally, including with G7 partners and bilaterally, but does not commit to specifically evaluating …
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Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
11
Recommendation
Second Report: 5G market diversificatio…
Acknowledged
In addition to conducting security testing and validation, the Government should ensure that the research and testing facilities established through the diversification strategy also drive market diversification by stimulating collaboration and supporting the development and commercialisation of new technologies. (Paragraph 49) 50 5G market diversification and wider lessons for critical …
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In addition to conducting security testing and validation, the Government should ensure that the research and testing facilities established through the diversification strategy also drive market diversification by stimulating collaboration and supporting the development and commercialisation of new technologies. (Paragraph 49) 50 5G market diversification and wider lessons for critical and emerging technologies
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the importance of coordinating R&D to drive outcomes and has invested £250 million in R&D for diversification. It commits to strengthening UK capability and developing a strategic approach for research and innovation, with further steps to be set out before summer …
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Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
15
Recommendation
Second Report: 5G market diversificatio…
Acknowledged
The Government identified the concentration of intellectual property rights in the hands of established vendors as a barrier to market entry. It commits in its diversification strategy to working with industry bodies to address this, although the proposed work is not described in great detail. In its response to this …
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The Government identified the concentration of intellectual property rights in the hands of established vendors as a barrier to market entry. It commits in its diversification strategy to working with industry bodies to address this, although the proposed work is not described in great detail. In its response to this Report, the Government should provide more details on how it intends to address the barriers brought about by intellectual property rights, and update us on early progress made against this goal.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges that intellectual property rights are a potential barrier to diversification and states it is currently considering options for monitoring patent essentiality and discussing this complex issue with international partners and industry.
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Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
16
Conclusion
Second Report: 5G market diversificatio…
Acknowledged
Long-standing factors have driven consolidation in the telecommunications vendor market over many years, so it is critical that the Government adopts measures to maintain market diversity as well as to drive the initial diversification. Network operators will be integral to achieving both aims. Although operators stand to benefit from a …
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Long-standing factors have driven consolidation in the telecommunications vendor market over many years, so it is critical that the Government adopts measures to maintain market diversity as well as to drive the initial diversification. Network operators will be integral to achieving both aims. Although operators stand to benefit from a more diverse vendor market, it may not be in their interest to purchase and use equipment from a wider range of vendors. The Government’s diversification strategy does not sufficiently acknowledge this fact, and provides little detail of proposed measures to ensure that it will be in network operators’ interest to drive and maintain a diverse vendor market.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of market diversity and the role of network operators, referencing an initial £250 million investment in R&D to drive diversification. It notes ongoing work with operators and states further steps will be set out before summer recess, aligning with the …
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Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
21
Recommendation
Second Report: 5G market diversificatio…
Acknowledged
There is a strong risk that the urgent security challenges faced by the UK’s telecommunications sector are indicative of a wider, and growing, geopolitical development. Throughout our inquiry, we have heard of the prospect of a growing technological and regulatory divergence between China, and countries aligned with China, and other …
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There is a strong risk that the urgent security challenges faced by the UK’s telecommunications sector are indicative of a wider, and growing, geopolitical development. Throughout our inquiry, we have heard of the prospect of a growing technological and regulatory divergence between China, and countries aligned with China, and other countries. This is not restricted to telecommunications or even cyber security—artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and synthetic biology are just some examples of other emerging technology sectors that will be prominent in our future economy and security, and in which there is the potential for different technical and regulatory standards to apply. The Government should not regard the problems posed by 5G addressed in this Report as a one-off, but more likely illustrative of a wider challenge.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges that 5G issues are indicative of wider geopolitical and technological challenges, stating that how norms and standards are developed will have far-reaching effects. It points to several forthcoming strategies, including Digital, National Data, Innovation, Defence Science and Technology, and AI Strategies, which …
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Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
25
Recommendation
Second Report: 5G market diversificatio…
Acknowledged
In producing a national strategy for critical and emerging technologies, the Government should consider potential risks that could develop across their full supply chains.
Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the need to consider long-term implications of critical technologies and aims to grow the UK's Science and Technology Power by 2030. A new function will be instituted in the Government Office for Science to provide analysis and insights for strategic decisions …
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Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
27
Recommendation
Second Report: 5G market diversificatio…
Acknowledged
In producing a national strategy for critical and emerging technologies, the Government should review the relevant global standards bodies, the objectivity of their processes and the relative influence of different countries. Similar to those measures outlined in its 5G supply chain diversification strategy, the Government should develop measures to build …
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In producing a national strategy for critical and emerging technologies, the Government should review the relevant global standards bodies, the objectivity of their processes and the relative influence of different countries. Similar to those measures outlined in its 5G supply chain diversification strategy, the Government should develop measures to build British capability and influence at standards-setting bodies for all critical technologies.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees that UK engagement in shaping international digital technical standards is crucial and states DCMS is actively engaging with international standards bodies and partners across various digital technical standards topics. It highlights ongoing work including G7 presidency efforts and the role of BSI, …
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Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
28
Conclusion
Second Report: 5G market diversificatio…
Acknowledged
Domestic capability in the research, development and adoption of critical technologies is key not only to economic growth and technological progress, but also to national security. It reduces dependency on foreign suppliers and governments, and allows the UK greater scrutiny of technologies for potential vulnerabilities and greater influence over the …
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Domestic capability in the research, development and adoption of critical technologies is key not only to economic growth and technological progress, but also to national security. It reduces dependency on foreign suppliers and governments, and allows the UK greater scrutiny of technologies for potential vulnerabilities and greater influence over the technological capabilities developed. Managing potential risks from critical and emerging technologies by supporting domestic capability will require early identification of those technologies and assessment of the UK’s existing capabilities, as well as the capability of the UK’s allies.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the importance of long-term planning for critical and emerging technologies and aims to grow the UK's 'Science and Technology Power' by 2030 through creating an enabling ecosystem. It describes broad efforts including a new analytical function in the Government Office for …
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Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
29
Recommendation
Second Report: 5G market diversificatio…
Acknowledged
In producing a national strategy for critical and emerging technologies, the Government should assess the UK’s domestic research and development capability for each technology area as well as the capability of its allies. As the Government looks 5G market diversification and wider lessons for critical and emerging technologies 53 to …
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In producing a national strategy for critical and emerging technologies, the Government should assess the UK’s domestic research and development capability for each technology area as well as the capability of its allies. As the Government looks 5G market diversification and wider lessons for critical and emerging technologies 53 to strengthen research and development in the UK, this assessment should be used to identify particular critical and emerging technology areas of strategic importance in which the UK’s capability should be developed and strengthened. This support should not focus on academic research alone, but should also encompass research and innovation capability in businesses and other research institutions.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the importance of long-term planning for critical technologies, aiming to grow UK 'Science and Technology Power' by 2030 by creating an enabling environment and strengthening international collaboration. It also highlights existing funding for the tech sector and a new analytical function …
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Department for Science, Innovation and Technology