Is There a Future for Research in Telecommunications?

Over the past thirty years telecommunications operators have changed their relationship with their suppliers, doing less research themselves, and relying on the innovation being generated by the equipment manufacturers. At the same time, the convergence of the IT and communications industries has provided a flood of new ideas, and changes to network architecture and regulation have encouraged fresh approaches to the provision of applications and services. Will these new relationships continue to generate technical progress? How should research in telecommunications be organised and where will innovation come from in the future? Do we need fundamental research or are there better things to be spending money on?

David Cleevely is the founder and former Chairman of telecoms consultancy Analysys (acquired by Datatec International in 2004). In 1998, he co-founded the internet based antibody company Abcam with Jonathan Milner (CEO), and continues as Chairman. More recently he co-founded the 3G pico base station company, 3WayNetworks.