TRANSNET's predecescor was UNLOC; a UK research programme focused on unlocking the capacity of optical communications. It was a £4.8 million five-year collaborative project between the Optical Networks Group at UCL, Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies at Aston University and multiple industry partners. Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the team's mission was to unlock the capacity of optical communication systems.

Research within UNLOC focused on developing new theoretical and experimental approaches to increase the capacity of optical fibre transmission technologies, which support and transform our economy, science, education, healthcare, transport and almost every other aspect of modern life.

Combining techniques from information theory, coding, advanced modulation formats, digital signal processing and advanced photonics, UNLOC developed breakthrough techniques to ensure that the underlying communications infrastructure can continue to meet the growing demand for faster and more reliable global networks.

An archive of the UNLOC website can be found here.