Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Second Report: 5G market diversification and wider lessons for critical and emerging technologies
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
HC 450
Published 4 February 2021
Government response
Fifth Special Report - 5G market diversification and wider lessons for critical and emerging technologies: Government Response to the Committee’s Second Report of 2019-21 · published 29 Apr 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
10
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 48
There is strong support for the establishment of common testing facilities for new 5G infrastructure...
Conclusion
There is strong support for the establishment of common testing facilities for new 5G infrastructure equipment, to provide a variety of services that could help to drive diversification. The National Telecoms Lab—which appears to be the main facility proposed by …
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Government Response Summary
The government refers to its initial £250 million investment in R&D for diversification and its broader strategy to stimulate alternative supply chains. However, it does not directly address the committee's observation about the National Telecoms Lab's heavy focus on security testing alone.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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12
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 52
Testing facilities do not need to be situated in one physical location.
Recommendation
Testing facilities do not need to be situated in one physical location. The Government should ensure that any new testing facilities complement existing facilities, and are designed with potential developments in 5G technology in mind to guard against future redundancy.
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Government Response Summary
The government's response outlines its initial £250 million investment in R&D for diversification and its commitment to a long-term vision and strategic approach for R&D and innovation. However, it does not address the specific recommendation regarding the design of new testing facilities to complement existing ones and guard against future redundancy.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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24
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 93
The Government has only recently considered the consolidation of vendors in the UK’s telecommunications market...
Conclusion
The Government has only recently considered the consolidation of vendors in the UK’s telecommunications market as a potential risk to national security, although it is a process that has taken place over ten to twenty years. One problem appears to …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response outlines a broad commitment to growing the UK's 'Science and Technology Power' and creating an enabling ecosystem, mentioning existing funding and a new analytical function. However, it does not specifically address the committee's observation that its diversification strategy only addresses 5G and does not consider the full supply chain, nor the comparison with other nations' strategies.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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