Convening Communities

The CRN is a forum for everyone interested in the future of communications. Our multi-disciplinary, cross-sector approach and links with the world’s best research institutions mean that the CRN is uniquely placed to offer an international overview of a global industry – a view that helps our members stay ahead of the game.

Talking Ideas

The Communications Research Network organises high-profile and dynamic events, where innovative ideas are exchanged and the wider economic, legal and social effects of new technologies are evaluated.

We keep our ear to the ground for the important issues facing the communications industry and convene the right speakers to address them. Our workshops, seminars and conferences are specially designed to deliver real value to your business – growing your network and giving you exposure to new sectors, markets and innovative ideas.

Driving Research

The Communications Research Network manages leading-edge research projects, developed jointly by academic and industry members.

Research is the bedrock of the CRN. Our membership drives the direction of the research, and has privileged access to the very latest developments in communications technology, economic analysis and regulation. The CRN was originally founded by two world-class research institutions – the University of Cambridge and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology - and now works with many of the world’s best universities to give your business global reach.

Working Together

The Communications Research Network creates dynamic working groups where academic researchers and technologists from CRN member organisations collaborate on specific areas of interest.

The Working Groups drive the CRN: they emerge, coalesce, carry out research and report as fast as markets move, delivering innovative ideas and insights within board room timescales. To date, significant value been created by Working Groups on Internet Security, Photonics, Connected Car, Spectrum Regulation, Innovation in Telecommunications and Core-Edge Dynamics. Each Working Group is coordinated by a CRN Manager, and its core findings are profiled at the annual CRN Conference and in the CRN Roadmap.

Anticipating Opportunity

The Communications Research Network develops and publishes an annual roadmap, outlining the major issues facing the communications industry and establishing the best way forward.

We distil our network’s insight into the CRN Roadmap - a publicly available document on the future of the communications industry. The Roadmap ties together our research reports and the different streams of Working Group activity in the context of wider industry trends, anticipating the impact of emerging technologies and providing a prescient perspective on innovation in communications.