Understanding the Standards Behind Modern Connectivity: Interactive Talk with Prof. Howard Benn at Imperial

On 9 March 2026, students and researchers gathered at Imperial College London for an engaging and insightful session exploring the world of telecommunications standards. The interactive talk, delivered by Prof. Howard Benn, provided a rare opportunity to learn how global standards bodies shape the technologies that power today’s mobile networks.

Hosted in CHEM 237 and available both in person and online, the session attracted attendees interested in understanding the complex systems that underpin modern connectivity from the early days of GSM to the future of next-generation networks.

Demystifying Telecommunications Standards

For many students and early-career researchers, telecommunications standards can feel daunting. Organisations such as the European Telecommunications Standards Institute and 3rd Generation Partnership Project produce vast volumes of technical documentation, committee structures, and contribution processes that can be difficult for newcomers to navigate.

In his talk, Prof. Benn broke down this complexity, explaining:

• How international standards are developed
• How researchers and engineers can access technical contributions
• Why are standards one of the richest sources of technical knowledge in communications engineering.

Using real-world examples from decades of work in the field, he showed how the standards process shapes everything from radio performance to the capabilities of modern smartphones.

 

Lessons from 30 Years of Mobile Innovation

Drawing on more than three decades of experience, Prof. Benn shared stories from the evolution of mobile technology, covering the generations of wireless systems that have defined the modern communications landscape.

His career began in the early years of mobile communications, and he has played a key role in shaping the standards behind multiple generations of network technology.

Highlights from his career include:

• Early work on GSM standards within ETSI in the 1990s
• Helping establish the global 3GPP standards framework
• Serving as Chair of the 3GPP RAN4 working group from 1998 to 2007
• Contributing to the development of the technologies that underpin modern mobile networks

These experiences gave attendees a unique behind-the-scenes look at how the “Gs” in our mobile devices from 2G to today’s advanced wireless systems were created.

Why Standards Matter for Researchers

One of the key messages from the session was that standards development is not only for industry engineers. Academic researchers can play a crucial role in shaping future technologies by engaging with the standards ecosystem.

Prof. Benn explained how standards bodies provide:

• Access to millions of technical contributions and proposals
• Insight into the future direction of communications technologies
• Opportunities for collaboration between academia, industry and government

For students and researchers working on next-generation networks, understanding standards can provide valuable context for translating research into real-world technologies.

About Prof. Howard Benn

Prof. Benn is an independent consultant specialising in telecommunications standards. Over his career, he has held leadership roles across industry, research and standards organisations.

He began his career in 1982 and moved into radio communications in 1989 after completing his degree and PhD at the University of Bradford. His standards work started in ETSI GSM committees in 1993, before playing a central role in the creation of 3GPP.

More recently, he served as Vice President of Communications Research at Samsung Electronics R&D Institute, retiring from the role in 2024. He continues to contribute to the sector as:

• Visiting Professor at the University of Bristol
• Honorary Professor at Queen’s University Belfast
• A member of several UK universities and research advisory boards
• A member of the UK government advisory committee through UKTIN

Acknowledgements

Prof. Howard Benn, expressed his thanks to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute for their continued support of standards development and engagement with the UK research community.