UKTL is the UK’s trusted national telecoms lab dedicated to ensuring secure and reliable telecoms networks for the future. We offer a secure, independent space where operators and vendors can confidently test and evaluate the resilience, security and interoperability of new telecoms equipment and software before they are deployed in the UK market.

Located in a purpose-built facility in Solihull, at the heart of the fast-growing West Midlands technology hub, UKTL was established by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and is operated by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). The lab supports the UK government’s security and diversification policy by helping to expand and secure the UK’s telecoms supply chain. As telecoms networks evolve into 5G and beyond, UKTL offers crucial accurate measurement capabilities to develop more secure products, identify potential vulnerabilities in existing systems and provide rigorous testing for the country’s fixed and mobile networks.

UKTL is committed to working in partnership, producing ground-breaking work, and providing reassurance for industry, government, academia and the consumer. UKTL champions telecoms cyber security and will actively shape the future of the UK’s digital infrastructure and emerging technologies.

Contact us for more information

Collaboration with telecoms vendors and network operators

Our core responsibilities:

• Industry Security Testing Testing of telecoms network equipment and software that are configured to represent live network deployments. Testing is guided by the UK’s regulatory environment and best practice, referencing artefacts such as the Vendor Security Assessment issued by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). It is working toward a ‘test once, benefit all’ model. 
• Advanced Vulnerability Research Advanced vulnerability research into the security of existing and emergent communications technologies to safeguard the UK’s connectivity networks, end-to-end across our critical national telecoms infrastructure. 
• Independent security and secure interoperability Vendor functionality and secure interoperability testing of equipment and software. Testing will evaluate the security of new interfaces arising in disaggregated network functions, establish whether equipment can securely interoperate with other devices and provide insights. 

UKTL benefits industry by: 

• Providing a secure space to test the security of telecoms systems
• Supporting a diverse, resilient telecoms supply chain
• Reassuring the security of new products and confidentially addressing any weakness
• Protecting essential telecoms equipment from cyber threats
• Partnering to build telecoms skills and career pathways
• Guiding industry to meet Telecoms Security Act standards
• Speeding up commercial decision-making, saving time and money
• Fostering a telecoms infrastructure that drives innovation and growth for a resilient future

Through the UK Telecoms Lab, we will place the UK at the forefront of new technologies, injecting innovation, supporting invention and providing the platform for implementation to deliver impact from science for our national security and economic growth.

Dr Peter Thompson - CEO, NPL 

To explore how our lab can support you, contact us by email: enquiries@uktl.npl.co.uk. Our technical team will review your enquiry and confirm if this fits within our scope and guide you with next steps.

Partnership is at the heart of our work – collaborating with industry, other government labs, academia, and international bodies, while providing leadership and a trusted advisory role for Government. UKTL contributes to UK and International Standards to prioritise how and when the country adopts new technology.  

We value working with a range of partners including the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Ofcom, The UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN), West Midlands Growth Company and SonicLabs. 

UKTL also collaborates with security research and engages with the wider UK ecosystem in innovation and skills development. It has established strong relationships across the telecommunications, security, and academic sectors, utilising NPL’s vast network and heritage as well as the skills of the specialists recruited. UKTL is now a key member of the West Midlands Cyber Working Group, connecting cybersecurity experts, business leaders and academia in the West Midlands to promote collaboration and strengthen cyber resilience.

  

     

 

    

• UK Telecoms Lab’s (UKTL) telecommunications security panel at Birmingham Tech Week, October 2024  09 December 2024 UKTL hosted an insightful panel, as part of the Cyberverse afternoon on Women in Tech Day, with five leading experts including UKTL’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Bridgette Bigmore.
• UKTL at CyberUK 24, Birmingham 2024 06 December 2024 UKTL attended CyberUK, NCSC’s global cyber conference, which took place at the Birmingham ICC in May 2024. The UKTL team met a wide range of representatives from industry, government, and academia at the UKTL stand within the government projects area.

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