Digital Catapult becomes one of the first sites to join national 6G research platform

Posted 12 Feb 2025

Digital Catapult, a deep tech innovation organisation, has become one of the first sites to connect to the JOINER (Joint Open Infrastructure for Networks Research) platform, advancing the development and use of data-driven and open future networks in the UK. Led by the University of Bristol’s Smart Internet Lab, the platform is set to accelerate the adoption of future communication and networking technologies, including 6G, nationwide.

The JOINER platform brings together 11 leading universities and research organisations to create environments for large-scale 6G research and experimentation. Digital Catapult will integrate its Autonomous Network Service Management and Orchestration System into JOINER, enabling the creation of intelligent, resilient 6G networks capable of adapting to changing demands from UK industry.

Developing next-generation networks often requires significant investment, creating barriers for smaller organisations. Digital Catapult’s network of independent, vendor-neutral testbeds provide access to resources that help organisations apply deep tech innovations to solve complex challenges. In collaboration with the University of Bristol, Digital Catapult has demonstrated advanced interdomain service orchestration as part of the REASON project, accelerating the practical application of deep tech innovation.

Interdomain orchestration enables seamless coordination across diverse networks, supporting advanced applications such as holographic video calls, and advancing innovation in the immersive space. This innovation reduces latency, enhances reliability, and dynamically allocates resources, ensuring optimal performance for immersive and bandwidth-heavy experiences, benefiting sectors such as the UK’s creative industries.

The JOINER platform supports early commercialisation and proof-of-concept testing for next-generation networks, convening capabilities from around the UK, and enabling deep tech companies to scale faster. The platform allows industry and academia to gather experimental evidence, translate research, and validate innovative services under real-world conditions, which are pivotal to advancing the development and use of data-driven and open future networks.

This milestone is the latest highlight for Digital Catapult, in its role at the forefront of advancing 5G, 6G, and Open RAN technologies. Its Open RAN Interoperability testing facilities provide a world-class environment for validating and optimising solutions, and these initiatives will accelerate the deployment of efficient, flexible, and interoperable mobile networks, keeping the UK at the forefront of connectivity innovation.

We are thrilled to be among the first sites connected to the JOINER platform, a significant step forward in the evolution of future communications and networks research and innovation capabilities in the UK. This collaboration with University of Bristol, and the interconnection with all the other JOINER nodes, highlights our role as a key enabler in telecoms innovation, bringing academia, industry, our leading technical expertise and independent facilities together to drive tangible technical progress and deliver benefits for the UK’s economy and society.
Dritan Kaleshi Director of 5G Technology at Digital Catapult

The JOINER platform is going to revolutionalise the way we undertake telecoms R&D and innovation in the UK. By creating a national experimentation platform and having leading organisations such as Digital Catapult connected to it, we’ll be able to accelerate the rate at which we can collaborate and innovate, ultimately driving UK growth and global advancements in future telecoms.”
Professor Dimitra Simeonidou Director of Smart Internet Lab, University of Bristol