BT is leading a consortium of 22 industry and academic partners to launch the India-UK Advanced Technology Centre (IU-ATC). The research and innovation centre will drive collaborative research programs and technology transfer between UK and India. The consortium has already secured more than US$3 million to establish the first-ever India-UK virtual graduate research school which will support collaborative PhD and post doctorate projects and an exchange program within the IU-ATC consortium. The IU-ATC will conduct research into current and next generation fixed and wireless communications, with the aim of becoming a global Centre of Excellence for next generation network (NGN) and ICT research. Output will include new services and technology solutions, filing of viable patents, and commercial exploitation of research through licensing and spin-offs.