Dozens of jobs to be created as Solihull wins race for first-of-a-kind telecoms lab

A new UK Telecommunications Lab is set to come to Solihull, creating dozens of highly-skilled jobs for the region.

Tech Minister Damian Collins will announce the news at the Birmingham Tech Festival today (October 13). The UK Telecoms Lab will be the first of its kind in the country, a secure research facility bringing together telecom operators, suppliers and academics to research and test innovative new ways of boosting the security, resilience and performance of the UK’s mobile networks.

Collins said: “After this summer’s stunning Commonwealth Games it is great to feel the buzz in the city yet again in Birmingham Tech Week.

“Fast-growing firms are cementing Birmingham’s status as a tech powerhouse – boosting jobs and spreading economic growth right across the West Midlands.

“There is no better home for the new UK Telecoms Lab, which will turn the region into a centre for expertise and innovation in the security of next-generation mobile networks.”

The Government says the UK Telecoms Lab will also help get faster mobile technology rolled out quicker.

The lab will help new businesses enter the UK telecoms market by testing to ensure equipment is fully “interoperable”, meaning it can connect to kit supplied by different manufacturers, which is increasingly important to the government’s £250m strategy to diversify the UK 5G telecoms market.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Tech is one of the most exciting and fastest growing sectors in our region. This fantastic announcement that Solihull will be the home of the new UK Telecoms Lab yet again underlines the strength of this important sector for us here in the West Midlands. The Lab will bring a wide range of stakeholders together to drive innovation and create high quality new jobs for local people.

“As we mark Birmingham Tech Week, it’s a great time to remember that we are at the cutting edge and – with our tech sector already valued at over £15 billion – we have an exciting future ahead of us.”