New terrestrial timing signal will ease reliance on satellite systems for digital infrastructure, like mobile phone networks and online banking.
The clocks and timing systems which underpin phone networks and online banking services will be better protected thanks to new investment in the National Timing Centre (NTC).
At the moment, the systems all rely heavily on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), which beam ultra-accurate timing signals from space, but are vulnerable to disruption from attacks, jamming, and technical malfunctions.
Recent incidents as part of the war in Ukraine have shown how satellite signals can be deliberately disrupted, with jamming attacks repeatedly interfering with civilian aircraft and other critical services. An outage impacting the UK could cost the economy some £1.4 billion in the space of 24 hours, the UK Government said.
The National Timing Centre (NTC) will now set to work on a new £180 million programme to enhance UK resilience.
It will distribute the resilient timing signal free over air, via internet and by fibre. When existing systems fail, the National Timing Centre (NTC) will support vital digital infrastructure.
The funding will also help with precision timing training, creating new opportunities for graduates, apprentices and, over time, PhD‑level training.
Science Minister Lord Vallance said:
“Accurate timekeeping is about more than just keeping the clocks ticking, it is fundamental to keeping the country running – from banking and staying in touch with friends and family through to our emergency services having the information they need.
“The systems we rely on today are increasingly vulnerable to disruption, which is why we’re acting now to strengthen the infrastructure we rely on every day.
“This project will give us a safety net that will help protect our national security, safeguard our economy, and give people the confidence they need to go about their daily lives.
Atomic clocks work by using the energy of atoms which allows them to produce and maintain an exceptionally accurate timing signal. They already play a huge role across a range of critical services. 5G stations for example use atomic timing signals to ensure thousands of devices can transmit in perfectly‑coordinated time slots, preventing interference to keep networks and the country running smoothly.
Led by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the National Timing Centre (NTC) will create an alternative to satellite timing technology.
Two dedicated sites will now harness the power of these machines to share signals via fibre, satellites and radio waves – meaning systems no longer have to depend on any single location or on transmission which are easier to disrupt.
The NPL is already working with companies across the UK to see how these atomic clocks could also be put to use, exploring new applications in everything from navigation and communication to improved radar systems.
CEO of NPL, Pete Thompson said:
“At NPL we are proud to be leading the way in providing trusted and assured timing to protect and enhance the UK’s digital infrastructure. This funding ensures the NTC programme can deliver huge benefits to industry and the economy, whilst underpinning secure applications in the future.”
