IEEE ICC Montreal, June 2025 – Event Round-up With Abderrahmen Trichili

Posted on 7 July 20257 August 2025 by hascadmin

The IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC) took place in Montreal, Canada at the beginning of June 2025, leading with the banner, ‘Communications Technologies 4Good’.

Abderrahmen & Team Meet at IEEE ICC Montreal June 2025 — From left to right: Prof. Eduard Jorswieck, Meriem Ghali, Abderrahmen Trichili, Alireza Vosoughi Rad, Dr. Ilias Gravalos, Dr. Iman Tavakkolnia

About IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC)

As one of the IEEE Communications Society’s two flagship conferences, the annual ICC is dedicated to driving innovation across almost every area of communications. The conference has a large global attendance with more than 3,000 scientific researchers from over 70 countries and over 1,000 papers and proposals submitted for programme sessions this year.

Content: The Research that is Shaping Our World

This years’ focus of IEEE ICC conference focused on “Communications Technologies 4Good”, featuring a comprehensive technical program including 13 symposia and a variety of tutorials and workshops. The industry programme was tailored towards practitioners, with keynotes and panels from leading research, industry and government leaders, business and industry panels, and technological exhibits.

HASC Representation at IEEE ICC 2025

Our HASC colleague, Abderrahmen Trichili, (UK IC Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, Research Fellow at Wolfson College, University of Oxford), attended the event as well as others from the HASC project. We caught up with Abderrahmen to find out the inside track on the event.

Guest Contribution: Abderrahmen Trichili on IEEE ICC 2025

I attended the IEEE ICC Conference, which was held in Montreal in June. The conference is hosted over five days. The first and last days of the conference are for workshops and tutorials, with the three days in the middle dedicated to the technical symposium.

There were many tracks running in parallel, so I had to mark the sessions I wanted to attend before heading to the conference. I also wanted to attend some of my former colleagues’ presentations.

Although I am not usually a big fan of big conferences, this one was special; I met many of my former colleagues and undergraduate friends along with people working in my field, notably Professor Steve Hranilovic. I also had dinner with 25 people who were at some point part from my previous group. So, conferences can be perfect opportunities to catch up with friends and see how successful they have become.

Networking with Leaders

Prof. Hranilovic is a pioneer in optical wireless communication at McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada). I have met Prof. Hranilovic a few times remotely but we finally got to meet person while attending the same tutorial and discussing with the presenters. I am very grateful for all the advice he gave during the conference – this is a striking benefit of attending conferences like this – learning from the giants.

Presenting: Optical Wireless Channel Sounding in a Realistic Environment

I was also lucky enough to be presenting in the first session of the first day of the technical symposium – even with the early morning slot, I was pleased to be presenting to packed room! Some came specifically for the topic, and others who knew of me (former colleagues, friends, even one of my former teachers) came to see the work I am currently doing at the University of Oxford!

Abderrahmen Presents Optical Wireless Channel Sounding at IEEE Communications Society — Abderrahmen Trichili presents Optical Wireless Channel Sounding in a Realistic Environment at IEEE ICC – Photo Credit: IEEE Communications Society

I presented my work on Optical Wireless Channel Sounding in a Realistic Environment (co-authored with Mr. Grahame Faulkner and Prof. Dominic O’Brien). Prof. Majeed Safari (a co-investigator in Titan) was the chair of the session and asked me some very interesting questions together with some of the attendees.

About the Research: Optical Wireless Channel Sounding

Optical wireless communication (OWC) is seen as a promising technology for future-generation communication systems. In particular, OWC in the visible spectrum, known as visible light communication (VLC), can enable high-speed indoor connectivity, offering opportunities for data-intensive applications that conventional radio-based technologies struggle to support due to bandwidth limitations. Currently used VLC channel models have limitations in their underlying assumptions and lack verification through experimental measurements. Over the past two years, I have developed the world’s first visible laser-based channel sounder, capable of measuring optical channels with high temporal resolution. The system is based on a highly sensitive silicon photomultiplier detector and frequency-swept laser sources. The sounder was used to conduct indoor measurements to derive realistic OWC channel models. I reported initial measurement results collected in an office environment (considered a realistic deployment location for VLC) at the conference.

Abderrahmen Trichili with Measurement Rig Collecting Data — Abderrahmen Trichili with the measurement rig used to collect the data

Optical Networks and Systems Symposium

It was a busy schedule – I also had the chance to chair one of the sessions of the Optical Networks and Systems Symposium (ONS-03: Energy efficient optical communications). In the session, I had five brilliant presentations with presenters from the University of Alberta, Technische Universität Braunschweig, The University of Cambridge, École normale supérieure de Lyon, and Nokia; one of the presentations was given by a HASC Co-Investigator Dr. Iman Tavakkolnia (University of Cambridge).

I had the opportunity to meet with other HASC and Federated Telecoms Hubs (FTH) members, including Prof. Timothy O’Farrell (The University of Sheffield), Prof. Michail (Michalis) Matthaiou (Queen’s University Belfast, he came with a few of his group members and colleagues from the same University), and Dr. Hossein Kazemi (University of Cambridge). From Oxford, my colleague Daniele Di Martini from the Oxford Robotics Institute, with whom I co-organised a third-year project for the last two years, also attended the conference.

Conferences like these are not just an opportunity to share and learn, but also to meet and network with others – all vital for the advancement of the innovations and technologies in our field. A fantastic event and I am very much looking forward to the next ICC which will be held in Glasgow in May 2026.

Conclusion

The IEEE ICC 2025 conference in Montreal showcased the sheer depth and ambition of the research taking place across the global communications landscape from both academia and industry. It not only provided a platform for sharing cutting-edge ideas but also a space for meaningful exchanges between researchers, industry leaders, and innovators all working towards a more connected, equitable future.

Abderrahmen’s reflections capture the spirit of these gatherings: part inspiration, part collaboration, and entirely driven by a passion for progress. As we look ahead to the next IEEE ICC in Glasgow, we carry forward the momentum of these conversations, the relationships formed, and the research that continues to shape the future of communication technologies.

Connect with Abderrahmen Trichili https://www.linkedin.com/in/abderrahmentrichili/

To keep up to date with all the news coming out of the HASC project, sign up to our regular newsletter here.

What is All Spectrum Connectivity?

Posted on 13 May 20252 July 2025 by hascadmin

All communications rely on spectrum, the ‘frequency space’ needed to provide connectivity. As demand for this connectivity grows so does the search for new regions of the spectrum that can be used. All spectrum connectivity considers both the wireless spectrum that is well-known, and the spectrum that is available within fibres, understanding how to best use these together. This is the goal at HASC. In this article we take a deeper dive into what All Spectrum Connectivity is and where everything fits in.

Connectivity: The Invisible Thread Connecting Us All

From binge-watching your favourite boxset on Netflix to powering critical life-saving medical equipment, our world runs on effective connectivity. Most of our access to the internet is now wireless, so it’s worth starting with this part of the spectrum.

Wireless Technologies & The Spectrum

There are many ways our wireless communications are made possible, and all these use various parts of the spectrum, each with its own ‘rules of use.’

Licensed spectrum

In the UK, licensed spectrum frequencies are allocated to specific organisations via the communications regulator, Ofcom. Licences are typically used for services that need interference-free bandwidth or have the potential to cause interference to others.

Exclusive rights to use certain frequency bands are issued to organisations such as mobile networks like 4G/5G/6G services. This includes, TV and radio stations and some fixed wireless service providers (wireless broadband).
Licensed spectrum can provide reliable coverage as its use is limited to licensed users, but can be as expensive as it is regulated.

Unlicensed spectrum (license-exempt)

Certain bands are designated as licence-free and can be used if the equipment meets technical standards. Such bands are free to use but can be crowded and therefore prone to interference.

Common licence-exempt bands include

2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Bands: Used by Wi-Fi devices, Bluetooth, and other short-range communications
24GHz – Vehicle radar
27MHz – Citizens band (CB Radio)
863–865 MHz Band & 173.7–175.1 MHz Bands: Used by wireless microphones and audio equipment

Shared spectrum

Shared licences are used in sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, aviation, utilities, manufacturing, and rural broadband initiatives. Bands include

3.8–4.2 GHz Band: Available for local licensing, enabling businesses and other organisations to deploy private networks, such as industrial IoT applications
1.8 GHz and 2.3 GHz Bands: Shared use under special technical conditions that reduce the likelihood of interference with existing users

Each band has its own unique characteristics. Likewise, they all come with their own limitations. For example, some provide coverage, and some are free to use. For instance, your phone might use licensed 5G for speed and range but switch to Wi-Fi when indoors (or use both at once without you even noticing).

Wired Technologies

Put simply, ‘wired and wireless’ just refers to whether data is travelling down a physical cable or ‘through the air.’ Wired networks include:

Copper cables (Ethernet) work by sending electrical signals
Fibre-optic cables transmit data using optical signals, typically in the infrared range (~200 THz)

Wired networks provide the data backbone for communications, with wireless increasing being used ‘at the edge’ of the network to connect users to this backbone.

Both wired and wireless technologies are essential. How to best use both existing and emerging technologies together is the goal of HASC.

What is All Spectrum Connectivity?

From radio waves to light pulses — see where your everyday tech fits in the spectrum of connectivity.

So, what is all spectrum connectivity? All Spectrum Connectivity means using all the above technologies together intelligently, allowing devices and networks to switch dynamically or aggregate multiple bands for:

Better coverage
Increased capacity
Enhanced reliability and speed
Lower latency

All spectrum connectivity is much more than just Wi-Fi or mobile. It’s about intelligently combining all types of communication technology, from fibre to light to 5G. It aims to keep us all connected as networks become more complex and the spectrum becomes increasingly crowded.

The Hub in All-Spectrum Connectivity (HASC)

To tackle the challenges that exist in optimising all spectrum connectivity, HASC’s investigations span four main application areas:

C1 Connectivity – demonstrating how different connectivity techniques can be integrated to optimise both wired and wireless communication systems
C2 Adaptivity – explores adaptable networks that intelligently switch between wired and wireless technologies
C3 Security – focusing on how to ensure that increasingly complex systems remain secure and resilient
C0 Modelling – we are developing a holistic model of connectivity that unifies both wired and wireless communication systems across the spectrum

Here are some of the highlights from across the HASC project.

Virtual Fibre with Wireless Light Communication – University of Oxford

Most wireless traffic now happens indoors, with users relying heavily on Wi-Fi and demanding ever-higher data rates. Likewise, new applications such as virtual and augmented reality require mobile-friendly connectivity that allows users to move around but still enjoy a stable and uninterrupted experience.

This investigation explores an innovative approach using light – specifically, light transmitted via optical fibre – to provide high-speed wireless connectivity. A base station in the ceiling steers light to a mobile terminal within the room, enabling fast, low-latency communication, even as the user moves around.

This technology offers an efficient use of wired and wireless spectrum. It carries data over fibre (wired), through free-space using light (wireless), and then back into a wired connection. This creates a ‘virtual fibre’ link through the air.

Building on the success of the first-generation system, the team is now developing a second-generation version with improved real-time tracking. This system is bringing us closer to seamless, high-performance indoor connectivity. Learn more >

Wavelength Division Multiplexing Li-Fi at 100 Gbps – University of Cambridge

At the University of Cambridge, researchers are pushing the boundaries of wireless communication by pioneering Li-Fi. Li-Fi is a high-speed wireless technology that uses light instead of radio waves. In the latest experiments, they have built a system achieving ultra-fast data transmission speeds of 100 Gbps! This is around 100 times faster than typical home Wi-Fi or 5G.

One of the key motivations behind this work is the growing scarcity of radio frequency spectrum. The optical spectrum, by contrast, is vast, unregulated, and offers around 3,000 times more bandwidth, making it a valuable and untapped resource for future communications.

The aim is to build scalable, future-proof systems that can support next-generation applications. This includes everything from indoor connectivity to deep space communications, and even emerging technologies like holographic displays. Learn more >>

Ultra-low Latency Switched Fronthaul Networks – University of Bristol

Bristol’s research explores how artificial intelligence can revolutionise the way wireless networks are managed, particularly as we move towards future technologies like 6G. Traditionally, spectral resources (the radio frequencies used for wireless communication) are statically licensed to major operators. However, this often leads to inefficient use, with valuable bandwidth sitting idle.

To address this, researchers are investigating how AI, specifically deep reinforcement learning, can enable dynamic spectrum sharing. Dynamic spectrum sharing allocates resources in real time based on network demand. This approach could significantly improve performance, energy efficiency, and user experience. The team is also working within the Open RAN (Radio Access Network) ecosystem, developing more resilient and flexible network architectures that could replace current point-to-point links.

This shift from static to dynamic spectrum usage—paired with intelligent, AI-driven control—promises to unlock more efficient, responsive, and sustainable wireless networks for the 6G era. Learn more >>

Rate Splitting Multiple Access – University of Imperial College

This experiment focuses on Rate-Splitting Multiple Access (RSMA) — a pioneering technique developed at Imperial College. It makes wireless networks not only more efficient but also smarter. As spectrum becomes an increasingly limited resource, they are investigating ways to maximise its use by enabling both communication and sensing capabilities within the same network.

This is especially valuable as we move towards 6G, where multifunctional and highly efficient wireless systems will be essential. The goal is to demonstrate that the theoretical advantages of RSMA translate into real performance gains when implemented on existing hardware. Imperial has already identified over 40 different use cases for RSMA, and this work has led to the first working prototype for a range of applications, from unicast to complex multi-group multicast transmissions.

By using rate-splitting to share limited spectrum more intelligently, this approach not only supports faster, more reliable communication but also opens the door to integrated features like sensing — laying the groundwork for the versatile networks of the future. Learn more >>

Final Thoughts – A Future Where Everything Connects

As the demand for faster, smarter, and more reliable wireless communication grows, the use of all available regions of the spectrum becomes more pressing.

Whether it’s using visible light to unlock ultra-high data rates, dynamically sharing underused radio frequencies with the help of AI or developing new techniques like rate-splitting to combine communication and sensing in the same spectrum, researchers are finding innovative new ways to make every part of the spectrum work harder and more efficiently.

By leveraging the full spectrum, from fibre to free space, from licensed radio bands to unregulated optical channels, HASC hopes to play our part in delivering a truly resilient and responsive communications ecosystem fit for the 6G era and beyond.

HASC Secures £3.2 Million to Drive the Future of Telecom Innovation

Posted on 17 April 202522 October 2025 by hascadmin

We are delighted to announce that the Future Communications Hub in All-Spectrum Connectivity (HASC) has secured an additional £3.2 million in funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). This continued support enables HASC to further its development of world-leading communication technologies essential to shaping the UK’s digital future.

Advancing Digital Infrastructure Through Innovation

“Communication underpins the functioning of modern society – from staying in touch with one another to powering the operations of smart cities and national systems,” said Professor Dominic O’Brien, HASC lead at the University of Oxford.

“The Hub is focused on developing the technologies and insights needed to create the networks of the future. We are delighted to continue collaborating with key partners, including TITAN, CHEDDAR, and JOINER, and we thank UKRI for their continued support in helping us realise this vision.”

What HASC Has Achieved to Date

Our work is pushing the boundaries in secure, high-speed and low-latency internet services. New technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) demand much higher capabilities than currently exist – our mission is to overcome the today’s limitations by completely reimaging connectivity. At HASC, we are exploring how to combine wired and wireless internet technologies to achieve seamless end-to-end connectivity.

The HASC project is led by Professor Dominic O’Brien from the University of Oxford and includes seven research partners from across the Universities of Belfast, Bristol, Cambridge, Southampton, Strathclyde, Imperial College and UCL. Additional partners include teams from the universities of Liverpool, Sheffield, Strathclyde, Surrey, Herriot Watt, Queen Mary and Kings College. Together, we are helping to develop the digital communications of the future by addressing four main challenges, Connectivity, Adaptivity, Security and tying it altogether with Modelling.

Here’s a look at what has been achieved so far:

Innovative Research: Pioneering studies across the four main challenges resulting in over 35 new academic publications covering a huge range of brand-new discoveries and technologies
Collaborative Partnerships: We have established strong collaborations with leading academic institutions and industry partners to help drive innovation and the practical applications of our research
Talent Development: Nurturing a new generation of researchers and engineers skilled in advanced communication technologies

Looking Ahead: The Impact of Extended Funding

The need for reliable, high-speed, low-cost, and energy-efficient communications only continues to grow. HASC will continue to work with our partners in CHEDDAR, TITAN and JOINER to deliver new research and to exploit the work that we do. Our key goals for the coming year are to continue with our research across each of the challenges, and to make full use of the connectivity that the JOINER Platform provides. Funding in the coming year will support a broad range of work, including:

Challenge 1 (C1) Connectivity

The C1 challenge is focused on demonstrating novel connectivity across and between radio frequency (RF) and optical domains. Here, the focus is on engineering the wireless propagation environment and leveraging the JOINER infrastructure to demonstrate new types of connectivity.

Challenge 2 (C2) Adaptivity

The C2 challenge addresses the need for reliable, adaptable networks, with a particular focus on the adaption of the physical layer using AI/ML techniques. Continued funding will allow us to further advance this work, addressing the future demands of applications such as smart cities, autonomous transportation systems, and industrial IoT applications.

Challenge 3 (C3) Security

With rising threats, the one major consistency in telecoms is the need for security. The C3 challenge focuses on this area and includes the use of quantum key distribution (QKD), post-quantum and physical layer techniques. Our work is creating new deployment scenarios for QKD which is a key technology for many carriers and vendors. Work here will extend the applicability of QKD in free-space transmission applications.

Challenge 0 (C0) Modelling

And finally, the C0 challenge pulls together all the other research by developing ‘system level’ end-to-end models of RF and fibre systems, delivering the data and models required to enable spectrum sharing and engagement in standards activities. We will continue to develop models and measure channels, creating open-source data sets relevant to standards and future spectrum planning.

Acknowledgements

We wish to extend our gratitude to UKRI for their continued support and belief in our vision. We also appreciate the collaborative efforts of our partners, including the other Federated Telecoms Hubs, Cheddar, Titan and Joiner Platform who are leading complementary projects in this wider initiative.

Join HASC on Our Exciting Journey

We invite you to stay connected with HASC as we embark on this next phase of innovation. Follow our progress, engage with the research, and explore opportunities to collaborate by following us on social media and subscribing to our newsletter.

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Mobile World Congress 2025 Round-Up: Key Highlights, Insights, and What’s Next for The Future of Telecommunications?

Posted on 24 March 20251 July 2025 by hascadmin

Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC) is one of the most significant and highly anticipated events on the global tech calendar, drawing thousands of leaders, policymakers, founders, and innovators from across the telecom industry. Held annually in Barcelona, Mobile World Congress serves as a premier gathering for exhibitors and delegates from around the world. This year’s theme, “Converge, Connect and Create,” resonated strongly with the mission of HASC and our partners within the Federated Telecoms Hubs.

Our team had the privilege of fully immersing ourselves in the world of communications over the course of four inspiring days. We engaged in high-quality discussions with a diverse array of forward-thinking individuals and organisations, furthering our collective understanding of the industry. Furthermore, while the event was undoubtedly a productive and enriching experience, it certainly didn’t feel like work.

Among the key topics dominating the conversation were 5G and 6G, alongside artificial intelligence, and the profound impact these emerging technologies will have on the future of communications.

World Leading Telecoms Research & Innovation Meets Industry at MWC25

The HASC team attended Mobile World Congress 2025 alongside our partners from across the Federated Telecoms Hubs, including:

TITAN, experts leading the way in a fully integrated Network of Networks (Non)
CHEDDAR, a research project dedicated to advancing future communications via empowering distributed cloud computing applications
JOINER. JOINER connects the research labs of HASC, CHEDDAR and TITAN as well as other ‘centres of excellence’ into one collaborative test environment.

We were proud to be part of the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) UK Innovation Stand, shining a spotlight on the groundbreaking research and innovation happening across the UK. Each Hub brought its own area of expertise to life with demonstrations, offering a glimpse into the future of telecommunications from every angle. For industry delegates, this was more than just a showcase — it was a chance to see cutting-edge technology in action, innovations that will eventually shape new products, transform our infrastructure, and redefine the possibilities in communications. The stand was busy from day one and the excitement surrounding the exhibits on show is testament to the appetite for continued advancement in these areas.

Our Research Showcase: All-Spectrum Connectivity

Traditional Wi-Fi is now overcrowded, slow, and prone to interference which results in poor experiences and is limiting when it comes to modern levels of demand and newer technologies. This is the reason for our research. Here at HASC, we are focused on how to combine wired and wireless internet technologies to achieve optimal end-to-end connectivity so that the industry can continue to grow.

Our research showcase provided an opportunity for visitors to gain access to the world’s most cutting-edge research in the field of all-spectrum connectivity, telecoms technology and the UK’s developing communications infrastructure.

Here’s a glance at some of the great projects we presented at the show.

Virtual Fibre with Wireless Light Communication

Oxford demonstrates a “virtual fibre” – a wireless optical link that connects two terminals using light instead of physical fibre.

Rate Splitting Multiple Access

Rate-Splitting Multiple Access (RSMA) is a game-changing signal processing technique that optimises spectrum use, reduces interference, and enhances both communication and sensing in next-gen networks. >> Watch now

Ultra-low Latency Switched Fronthaul Networks

This research from Bristol is revolutionising radio access networks with ultra-low latency switched fronthaul, hollow-core fibre, and intelligent network management with AI. This groundbreaking research aims to enhance network resilience, energy efficiency, and flexibility, paving the way for next generation 5G and 6G applications. >> Watch now

Wavelength Division Multiplexing Li Fi 100 Gbps

University of Cambridge introduces wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) Li-Fi, delivering speeds of 40-100 Gbps using laser-powered light-based communication. >> Watch now

Voices from the HASC Team

The attending members from the HASC team, led by Professor Dominic O’Brien (MA PhD, Professor of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science) included:

Vanessa Wood (Post-5G Communications Researcher)
Emad M. Grais (Research Associate, in Machine Learning and Autonomous Manufacturing Systems, Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering at The University of Sheffield, UK)
Anthony Reece-Thompson (HASC Programme Manager)

We caught up with the team for their thoughts and feedback from the show.

The attending members from the HASC team, from left to right: Professor Dominic O’Brien (MA PhD, Professor of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science), •Vanessa Wood (Post-5G Communications Researcher), Emad M. Grais (Research Associate, in Machine Learning and Autonomous Manufacturing Systems, Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering at The University of Sheffield, UK) and Anthony Reece-Thompson (HASC Programme Manager) with the CHEDDAR robot — The attending members from the HASC team, from left to right: Professor Dominic O’Brien (MA PhD, Professor of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science), Vanessa Wood (Post-5G Communications Researcher), Emad M. Grais (Research Associate, in Machine Learning and Autonomous Manufacturing Systems, Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering at The University of Sheffield, UK) and Anthony Reece-Thompson (HASC Programme Manager) with the CHEDDAR robot

Vanessa Wood

“When the opportunity arose to attend the mammoth event that is Mobile World Congress 2025, I jumped at it. Cutting-edge technology from across the communications world condensed into one room, or more like eight aircraft hangars!

Having joined Queen’s University Belfast last year as a Research Fellow in Terahertz Channel Modelling, I was particularly interested in gauging future market trends. What applications are companies considering in the wider spectrum?

One exciting example was a demo from Elmo and Nokia, where attendees were given the chance to drive a car that was 3,000 km away using a 5G link. Novel uses such as this will continue to drive innovation across the spectrum, and keep researchers like me entertained!” – Vanessa Wood

CONNECT WITH VANESSA:

LinkedIn: Vanessa Wood | LinkedIn

Centre for Wireless Innovation CWI: (1) Centre for Wireless Innovation (CWI) | Queen’s University Belfast: Posts | LinkedIn

Emad M. Grais

“I am originally an AI researcher with experience in applying AI to audio signal processing, health science, and advanced manufacturing. Currently, my focus is on leveraging AI for wireless communications. Attending Mobile World Congress 2025 was a fantastic opportunity to explore the latest trends in the communications industry and gain insights into the challenges shaping the field.

As I engaged with exhibitors at the MWC2025, I was particularly impressed by the diverse applications of AI in wireless communication. Companies like Orange, Intel, Dell Technologies and Qualcomm are actively integrating AI into their technologies, showcasing its growing role in the industry.

After attending the event, I have gained a deeper understanding of AI for wireless communications and now have a clearer direction on where to find relevant resources to further advance my work in this area.” – Emad Grais

CONNECT WITH EMAD:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emad-m-grais-9a470353/

Google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=gnoiXJcAAAAJ&hl=en

Anthony Reece-Thompson

“Mobile World Congress 2025 provided an excellent opportunity to showcase our consortium’s strengths. We attended as part of the Federated Telecoms Hub (FTH) UK stand alongside our hub partners, CHEDDAR, TITAN, and JOINER. Our stand featured a range of expertly crafted experiments, animated explainer videos, and technical presentations that sparked numerous productive conversations and established key contacts.

We engaged with both local and international UK suppliers, industry stakeholders, policymakers, and technical experts about our work integrating internet technologies to achieve end-to-end connectivity. We look forward to participating in future events and extend our gratitude to all our HASC and FTH partners for their contributions to making this event a success”. – Anthony Reece-Thompson

Highlights from the MWC25 Show

Although MWC is primarily a trade show, it is not only about business-to-business sales. In our case, it is also about education and the cultivation of important partnerships bridging industry and academia. It is an opportunity for us to share our findings and encourages the collaboration that is so vital in the pursuit of continued innovation.

Amongst some of the most interesting meetings, we had a couple of notable VIP moments, including a visit from Catherine Page OBE (Deputy Director in the Department for Science) who came to discuss the research from the HASC hub and the other Federated Telecoms Hubs. As Deputy Director in the Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DIST), Catherine is a colleague and part of the funding body making our work possible, so it was a real pleasure to welcome her.

HASC & the Federated Telecoms Hubs welcome Baroness Gustafsson of Chesterton CBB - the Minister of Investment at the Mobile World Congress 2025 Show — HASC & the Federated Telecoms Hubs welcome Baroness Gustafsson of Chesterton CBB – the Minister of Investment at Mobile World Congress

We also welcomed Baroness Gustafsson of Chesterton CBE (Minister for Investment). Prior to entering government, Baroness Gustafsson was part of the team who founded Darktrace in 2013 and brought its AI-powered cybersecurity solutions to market, so we were thrilled to have her visit our stand and take an interest in our research.

Industry Trends: Artificial Intelligence (AI)

What was the most talked-about topic at this year’s Mobile World Congress? Unsurprisingly, artificial intelligence (AI) took center stage as the dominant trend throughout the event. AI advancements and examples of integrated technologies were pervasive, not only in our own demonstrations and research but across the entire exhibition.

AI is rapidly reshaping industries worldwide, and telecommunications is no exception. In this sector, AI is enhancing network efficiency, automating tasks and services, and enabling predictive maintenance. It is also powering advanced analytics and processing large datasets. Remarkably, it is even being used to operate vehicles remotely, with 5G facilitating control from distances of up to 3,000 kilometers. Ultimately, the aim is to optimize user experiences and drive continuous innovation throughout the industry.

The pace at which technology and communications are evolving is staggering, which highlights the importance of events like Mobile World Congress. They provide a valuable opportunity to forge crucial connections, stay informed about the latest breakthroughs, and understand the real-world challenges faced by individuals and businesses alike. We thoroughly enjoyed this remarkable event and eagerly look forward to future opportunities to engage and innovate.

Join the Community

Overall, Mobile World Congress 2025 has been an incredible experience, and we very much look forward to engaging further with all the people we met and continuing the conversation.

If you would like to see more about the work we are doing you can sign up for regular updates by completing the form at the bottom of this page or connect with us on LinkedIn.

Relevant Upcoming Events

Check out these upcoming events for more opportunities to get involved:

Connected Futures – 26^th March 2025 – Join the University of Bristol and its partners in JOINER, REASON and EPSRC Federated Hubs to learn, debate and discover what our future connected world can enable.

https://joiner.org.uk/connected-futures-festival/

Cambridge 6G Symposium – 27^th-28^th March 2025 – With keynotes, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, the symposium aims to bridge the gap between research, regulation, and real-world deployment, contributing to the advancement of a globally connected future.

https://www.titancambridge.com/events/cambridge-6g-symposium/

Celebrating the Success of Our Telecoms Innovation Symposium

Posted on 15 November 20241 July 2025 by hascadmin

We’re thrilled to announce the resounding success of our one-day symposium, a pivotal event designed to strengthen existing industry partnerships and cultivate new ones across the Federated Telecoms Hubs..

This gathering brought together some of the brightest minds in telecommunications, showcasing one of Europe’s largest telecoms research consortiums. Led by the University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, and the University of Oxford, the Federated Telecoms Hubs are at the forefront of addressing challenges in network-of-networks, spectrum innovation, and distributed cloud computing

Highlights of the Event

Exploring Commercial Potential:

Industry leaders gained insights into accessing cutting-edge innovations, unlocking opportunities to commercialise new technologies that can provide a competitive market edge.

JOINER Platform Showcase:

Our national experimentation platform, JOINER, demonstrated its capabilities in shaping infrastructure, use cases, and showcasing UK innovation.

Collaborative Engagements:

Attendees connected directly with leading experts from our research community, fostering discussions to bridge the gap between academic discoveries and industry challenges.

Research Highlights:

Key areas of impactful research were presented, setting the stage for deeper collaborations and potential bilateral agreements to drive meaningful advancements in telecommunications.

Federated Telecoms Hubs – Leading the Way in Innovation

TITAN: Platform Driving the Ultimate Connectivity

HASC: Hub in All Spectrum Connectivity

CHEDDAR: Communications Hub for Empowering Distributed clouD computing Applications and Research

JOINER: Joint Open Infrastructure for Networks Research