The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is the home of UK time and provides accurate and secure timing, traceable to the global time scale, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
The National Timing Centre (NTC) is a major programme led by NPL that is responsible for developing the UK’s first nationally distributed time infrastructure. The NTC programme will enable the UK to deliver a more resilient time and frequency service to accelerate innovation in new technologies, such as 5G / 6G, smart cities, satellite communications and autonomous vehicles.
Our services offer industry and academia access to resilient timing signals which are complementary to GNSS and essential for digital infrastructure. Timing innovation nodes at partner universities, including the University of Strathclyde, Cranfield University and University of Surrey, offer a geographically distributed and connected capability from cutting-edge facilities - 24/7 monitored laboratory space for R&D, testing and product evaluation.
To support the next generation of skills in time and synchronisation, we provide apprenticeships, postgraduate training and specialist online training courses.
To learn more and be involved in the National Timing Centre programme, contact us:
Time: the invisible utility that underpins infrastructure and systems to keep the world turning.
NPL welcomes the UK Government's Policy Framework for greater PNT resilience.
Webinars, thought leadership, and more from the world of time and frequency.
