Chinese tech giant Huawei is joining forces with UK telecommunications company BT to develop future technologies in mobile and internet infrastructure at a Cambridge University research hub.

The five-year project is expected to start in 2018 with five to 10 researchers from BT and Huawei working alongside academics at Cambridge University's Maxwell Center.

Ken Hu, deputy chairman at Huawei, said the hub will "explore future technologies and help ensure a positive social impact".

The project will start with 25 million pounds ($33 million) in funding and focus on projects relating to photonics, digital and access network infrastructure and media technologies.

BT chief executive Gavin Patterson said: "BT's fixed and mobile infrastructure is the engine of the UK economy so it is essential that we continue to innovate in this space to enhance the UK's competitiveness on the world stage towards and through Brexit."

Most widely known to the public as a Chinese smartphone manufacturer, Huawei first opened UK offices in 2003, and clinched a supplier deal with BT in 2005 to roll out the 21st Century Network data network program.