The UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has launched an upgraded Network Time Protocol (NTP) service, reinforcing the country’s national timing infrastructure.
The improvements are part of the broader National Timing Centre (NTC) programme, which aims to provide a distributed, resilient framework for accurate time and frequency across the UK.
Accurate timekeeping is essential for modern digital operations, from financial transactions to communication networks. NTP enables computers and devices to align their internal clocks with reliable external references.
Without regular synchronisation, clocks can drift, potentially causing errors or vulnerabilities in systems that depend on precise timing.
Dr Leon Lobo, Head of the NTC programme at NPL, added: “Precise and resilient timekeeping is fundamental to the UK’s digital infrastructure.
“This updated service reflects our commitment to supporting the reliability and security of essential systems we depend on, technological innovation and economic growth.”
Expanding the UK’s timing infrastructure
NPL’s revised Network Time Protocol service now operates five stratum 1 servers across three separate UK locations, up from two previously.
These servers are connected directly to NPL’s atomic clocks, offering a dependable ground-based alternative to satellite signals. The enhanced setup is designed to improve resilience and reliability, ensuring critical systems continue to function even if satellite signals are disrupted.
The new guidance accompanying the service emphasises secure and accurate implementation of NTP.
Recommended practices include the use of authentication protocols and hardware timestamping to reduce timing errors and improve trustworthiness.
Supporting next-generation technologies
The strengthened timing infrastructure underpins a range of emerging technologies. High-precision time distribution is particularly important for 5G and 6G networks, autonomous systems, satellite navigation, and smart city initiatives.
By providing a reliable baseline for digital clocks, the upgraded Network Time Protocol service helps maintain the integrity of time-sensitive operations across multiple sectors.
The initiative has been funded by the UK Government’s Integrated Security Fund and delivered in partnership with the National Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Office within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
It leverages the established NPLTime® platform, which has served finance and other industries commercially for the past seven years.
Ensuring secure and reliable time distribution
By expanding its Network Time Protocol services, NPL is addressing growing demands for secure and precise timing in both public and private sectors.
The upgrades contribute to a more robust national timing infrastructure, supporting innovation while safeguarding the accuracy and reliability of critical digital systems throughout the UK.