Celtic-NEXT / Celtic-NEXT

What is Celtic-NEXT / Celtic-NEXT?

Celtic-NEXT (now evolved into Celtic-NEXT) is a EUREKA cluster dedicated to telecommunications, new media, and future internet technologies. The cluster brings together industry leaders, SMEs, and research institutions from across Europe and beyond to collaborate on R&D projects that advance the state of the art in connected systems, network infrastructure, and digital services.

Celtic-NEXT projects address some of the most pressing challenges in modern telecommunications: the deployment and optimisation of 5G and emerging 6G networks, the integration of artificial intelligence into network management, the security of increasingly complex digital infrastructures, and the development of Internet of Things platforms that can scale reliably across industries.

Focus Areas

The cluster organises its R&D activities around several key themes that reflect the evolving needs of the telecommunications industry and its growing intersection with software and AI:

• 5G/6G networks -- next-generation mobile infrastructure, network slicing, edge computing, and radio access technologies
• IoT and connected systems -- scalable platforms for industrial IoT, smart infrastructure, and sensor networks
• AI in networks -- machine learning for network optimisation, predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, and automated management
• Cybersecurity -- secure communications, privacy-preserving architectures, and threat detection for critical infrastructure

How Digital Tactics Contributes

Digital Tactics brings software engineering and artificial intelligence expertise to Celtic-NEXT telecom R&D projects. While our core strengths lie in AI, data engineering, and application development rather than hardware or radio engineering, these capabilities are increasingly essential to modern telecommunications systems. We contribute to work packages focused on intelligent network management, data analytics platforms, cybersecurity tooling, and the software layers that sit above physical network infrastructure.

Our role in Celtic-NEXT projects typically involves designing and building the software components that make network systems smarter, more efficient, and more secure. We work alongside telecom operators, equipment manufacturers, and academic research groups, contributing the applied AI and engineering expertise that bridges the gap between network research and deployable solutions.

Eligibility and Funding

Celtic-NEXT operates under the EUREKA framework, meaning UK businesses access funding through Innovate UK. Projects typically involve 5-15 partners from at least three countries, with total budgets of EUR 3-15 million over 2-3 years. The cluster publishes annual calls, and project proposals are evaluated on technical quality, industrial relevance, and consortium strength.

Get Involved

If your business operates in telecommunications, IoT, cybersecurity, or connected services, Celtic-NEXT offers a route to funded collaborative R&D with leading European partners. Digital Tactics can help you find the right consortium and contribute AI and software capabilities. Contact us to explore opportunities.