UK Telecoms Roadmap Puts Photonics at the Core of Future Networks
UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN)
Photonics technologies—spanning integrated photonic chips, fibre optics, and quantum networks—are set to underpin the UK’s next-generation telecoms infrastructure, according to the latest strategic roadmap from the UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN).
The UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN) is the innovation network for the UK telecoms sector bringing together industry, government stakeholders and academia to catalyse R&D investment, cooperation and commercialisation.
A Sector at a Turning Point
The UK telecoms industry stands at a strategic inflection point. Rising data demands from AI, IoT, cloud computing, and the government’s push for 5G and 6G expansion are fuelling rapid growth in optical and quantum communications. Market forecasts project the combined value of fibre optics, silicon photonics, and quantum communications to soar from £500 million in 2024 to £1.14 billion by 2030—a compound annual growth rate of 15%.
Commissioned by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the Future Telecommunications Technology Roadmap sets out a research and innovation vision stretching to 2035 and beyond. It calls for urgent collaboration across government, academia, and industry to position the UK as a global leader in advanced optical telecom technologies.
Advanced Connectivity Technologies: A National Priority
DSIT’s ACT Market Scoping Analysis 2025 highlights advanced connectivity technologies (ACT)—including integrated photonics, fibre optics, satellite communications, and quantum networks—as central to the UK’s telecoms ambitions. Among UK telecoms firms, 344 are dedicated exclusively to ACT, while a further 2,430 are “actively involved,” representing nearly one-quarter of the entire sector.
With 6G, AI-enabled systems, and quantum communications on the horizon, the roadmap warns of a “once-in-a-decade opportunity” to transition from research leadership to global industrial competitiveness.
Free-Space Optics and LiFi: Promise and Challenges
Free-space optical (FSO) technologies, including LiFi, hold promise for ultra-fast, ultra-secure wireless connectivity—spanning applications from inter-satellite links to in-building data transfer.
Mostafa Afgani, CTO of pureLiFi, explained:
“Our work is transforming the use of the light spectrum for ultra-fast and ultra-secure wireless communications, moving beyond traditional radio frequency technologies into an unregulated, untapped spectrum.”
The roadmap calls for the industrialisation and low-cost manufacturing of satellite FSO and LiFi technologies. The UK Space Agency has already invested £5 million in a laser communications prototype developed by Northumbria and Durham universities with partners including Lockheed Martin, bridging the gap between research and commercialisation.
Photonics as the Foundation of Future Telecoms
The roadmap identifies five key focus areas for optical communications:
Integrated photonics
Data centre networking
Next-generation optical transport
Quantum communications
Free-space optics (FSO)
The UK excels in research and early-stage innovation across these fields but lags in production engineering and industrial scaling—a gap that could hinder supply chain security and domestic job creation.
Building an Integrated Photonics Ecosystem
As AI workloads intensify, photonic interconnects are critical to avoid I/O bottlenecks in computing systems. The roadmap recommends creating a UK-based prototyping foundry for silicon photonics with hybrid integration of materials like III-V semiconductors and lithium niobate.
Josh Nunn, Co-Founder of ORCA Computing, stresses:
“To maintain global leadership in quantum networking and seize emerging opportunities, the UK must accelerate investment in integrated photonics and scale-up capacity.”
Data Centres, Optical Switching, and Hollow-Core Fibre
Data centres face growing demands for high-speed, low-latency interconnections. The roadmap calls for advances in:
High-capacity optical pluggables
Optical switching technologies
Energy-efficient network architectures
Companies like Celestial AI are already pushing forward, with over 200 patents in optical interconnect and switching technologies targeting hyperscale data centre customers.
Hollow-core fibre (HCF), offering ultra-low latency, is another UK strength with potential across finance, healthcare, and defence. However, moving from research to mass manufacturing remains a key challenge.
Quantum Communications and Security
Quantum key distribution (QKD) is flagged as a near-term priority for secure communications. With China and the US investing heavily in national quantum networks, the UK roadmap calls for rapid development of QKD systems, distributed quantum networks, and qubit regeneration technologies.
Chris Porthouse, Chief Product Officer at Aegiq, warns:
“Legacy systems will hit performance ceilings before achieving commercial scale. Our photonic quantum computing technology enables fast, scalable solutions for secure, high-speed networks.”
Regional Hubs and Industrial Players
The roadmap highlights regional strengths:
Wales: Compound Semiconductor Cluster
Scotland: Established photonics hub
North East & South West England: Emerging capabilities
While the UK lacks large telecoms system integrators, it boasts a network of specialist suppliers capable of driving growth and employment through targeted investment.
Implications for Industry and Consumers
For industry, the roadmap signals opportunities in:
Optical components and packaging
RF-photonic integration
Quantum-safe systems
For consumers, it promises faster, more secure networks. Hollow-core fibre could enable real-time VR or autonomous vehicles, while quantum encryption could protect sensitive data in finance and healthcare.
Standards, Policy, and Next Steps
The roadmap emphasises the need for UK engagement with global standards bodies such as ITU-T and IEEE. Open standards are essential to prevent dominance by hyperscalers and ensure interoperability.
To seize the moment, UKTIN recommends:
Targeting national strengths like compound semiconductors and PICs
Building domestic photonic prototyping and packaging facilities
Acting quickly to capture emerging opportunities
Leveraging synergies across AI, quantum, and photonics
Continuing consultation via the UKTIN ecosystem
The conclusion is clear: photonics is not just part of the UK’s telecoms future—it is its foundation. Immediate action is essential to turn research excellence into industrial leadership.
