The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the shift to a digital society and digital economy. This has led to a new reliance on cyber space, and a realization of how critical the communication network infrastructure is.
The UK and Japan have been working together to explore how they can deliver a trusted new network to address the cybersecurity concerns raised by their citizens. In Japan, the response has included 5G rollout using ‘Open RAN’ technologies, enabling mobile network providers to use equipment from multiple vendors while still ensuring interoperability. This hints at what future global technology standards in the digital infrastructure field might look like.
Following the recent announcement by Japanese telecom supplier NEC of its establishment of an Open RAN promotion centre in the UK, as well as confirmation of the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement with provisions for free flow of data, this webinar considers the future direction of UK-Japan digital cooperation:
• How might the UK and Japan lead global cooperation over digital technology and cyber security? What challenges might the partnership face?
• What are the current 5G policies of the UK and Japan? How do both countries envisage their future digital growth?
• How do the UK and Japan intend to secure cyberspace and make telecommunication networks more resilient?
Participants
Alexi Drew, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Centre for Science and Security Studies (CSSS), King’s College London
Chris Jackson, President & CEO, NEC Europe
Mitsuhiro Hishida, Deputy Director-General for International Economic Affairs, Global Strategy Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan
Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones, Prime Minister’s Special Representative to Business on Cyber Security (2011- 2014)
Scott Bailey, Deputy Director for Telecoms Diversification, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, UK
Opening remarks: Matt Warman MP, Minister for Digital Infrastructure, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, UK
Moderator: Emily Taylor, Associate Fellow, International Security Programme, Chatham House; CEO, Oxford Information Labs
