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Quickline Communications CTO and 5G Testbeds and Trials programme programme director Ian Smith is the new head of UK Telecoms Innovations Network taking over from Nick Johnson.
UKTIN brings together industry, academia, and government stakeholders to advocate for telecoms R&D talent in investment, cooperation and commercialisation.
The 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme is the government’s nationally coordinated programme of investment in 5G.
Formed in 2022, it a consortium of four partners Digital Catapult, Cambridge Wireless, University of Bristol, and West Midlands 5G.
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“I am excited about opportunities UKTIN creates for domestic and international telecoms policy development. The UKTIN team has a strong connection with the ecosystem and is acting as a representative voice of the telecoms sector. I am looking forward to continuing the great work that is delivering so much benefit to the UK”, he said.
“Skills in the telecoms sector are in short supply and that UKTIN was in a prime position to leverage connections to “shine a light on the exciting career pathways telecoms offers, inspiring and educating education leavers and career switchers to come and join us”.