About

For over four decades, Stephen Temple has shaped UK and European telecoms policy at the highest levels, bridging government, industry, and research to deliver enduring infrastructure change.

Photos: Left - Just got French, German and Italian Agreement for his GSM MoU text, Right: Visiting Professor 5GIC 2025

Voluntary Public Policy Roles (last 20 years)

• Past voluntary contributor to DSIT/DCMS on telecoms, mobile, and spectrum policy via the former IET Communications Policy Panel (2012-23), later Spectrum Policy Forum (2019-22 Chair, Cluster 2), and Visiting Professor, University of Surrey 5G/6G Innovation Centre (2014-25).
• Originator of ~25 "original" policy proposals; achieving five successes (with one having high impact — ie Europe's “5G pioneer band” strategy that reoriented Europe’s 5G spectrum policy post-WRC-15, avoiding a costly detour into unsuitable bands) and five still in play ie a 20-40% hit rate.
• All unpaid and driven by a passion for the UK to regain the leadership it once held in mobile developments.

UK Industry (ntl & Vodafone, 1996–2006):

• Led ntl’s broadband Internet innovations that triggered BT’s shift from ISDN to ADSL.
• Managed post-merger unification of incompatible UK cable TV networks and post–ntl Chapter 11 restructuring.
• At Vodafone Group Strategy, helped pivot strategy from a pure wireless-only model to integrated broadband infrastructure that had significant impact in Germany.

UK Civil Service (DTI, Home Office, Ministry of Posts & Telecoms, 1971–1996):

• Author of the 1987 GSM MoU — the global foundation framework enabling seamless mobile roaming, pervasive interoperability, and led to global economies of scale.
• Wrote the 1988 Phones on the Move consultation, unlocking 1800 MHz spectrum for mobile (a UK first) that accelerated the transition of mobile phones to a consumer mass market.
• Co-founded the Digital Video Broadcasting Standards Group; came up with the multiplex as a regulatory concept, secured legislation enabling DAB and DTT (the latter freeing spectrum critical to 4G coverage exceeding that of 3G).
• Senior adviser to ministers on telecoms and broadcasting industrial policy, spectrum as a policy tool for infrastructure digital transformations, and national resilience, including Cold War civil defence planning.

He was awarded a CBE in 1996 for services to trade and industry. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and the IET. He won the 1994 IEEE prize for international. communications and the 1996 GSM Association Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Achievement.