This week, IQD was invited to attend the 2nd National Timing Community Engagement Forum, hosted at the renowned National Physics Laboratory (NPL) in Teddington, UK. This invitation‑only event brought together leading UK companies, organisations and legislators working at the very heart of national and global timing.
Why IQD Was There
IQD’s invitation reflects our active collaboration with NPL and CERN on the White Rabbit project - work that places us firmly at the forefront of next‑generation timing technologies. Being part of this forum allowed IQD to contribute to, and learn from, critical discussions shaping the future of resilient time distribution.
Timing as Critical National Infrastructure
One of the key discussion topics was an update on the UK’s response to the declaration of timing as Critical National Infrastructure. This recognition highlights just how essential precise, reliable timing has become to modern society - from financial markets to communications and beyond.
The Rise of eLoran
A major focus of conversation was eLoran, which is shaping up to be a firm alternative time signal for the UK, and potentially Europe as well. The clear takeaway? eLoran receivers may soon become a business requirement as organisations look to strengthen resilience and reduce dependence on a single timing source.
A Perspective on Time
One statistic shared at the forum perfectly captured the scale (and the stakes) of accurate timing today: the New York Stock Exchange sees 1.2 trillion trade requests in a six‑hour day. Each trade takes around 13 billionths of a second to be received and completed, and every trading transaction must remain perfectly synchronised to ensure each transaction is valued correctly at the exact moment it arrives!
Looking Ahead
Events like the National Timing Community Engagement Forum reinforce just how vital precise timing is to global infrastructure and how quickly the landscape is evolving. IQD is proud to be part of these conversations and to continue working alongside world‑leading organisations to help shape the future of resilient, trusted time.
