Future-proofing Europe: Strategies for Thriving in a 6G World

Europe’s Journey Towards a 6G-Enabled Digital World

As Europe pushes forward to enhance its digital infrastructure, the 6G Flagship emerges as a pioneering 6G research program, dedicated to realizing a 6G-enabled digital landscape by the 2030s.

Prioritizing connectivity and the advancement of communication, Europe aims to ensure that its digital framework can adeptly handle the escalating volumes of data generated in today’s digital era.

Currently, the European Commission is actively pursuing key objectives, including achieving Gigabit network coverage for all European households and seamless 5G coverage for everyone, as outlined in the Gigabit Society vision and the Digital Decade plan. Beyond these goals, efforts are underway to prepare Europe for the upcoming 6G era.

Serving as the successor to 5G, 6G promises a new technological era, blending fields such as connectivity, robotics, cloud computing, and secure commerce. This next-generation technology opens doors to innovative applications like virtual and augmented reality, holographic devices, remote surgery, digital replicas of real-world objects, Internet of Senses, and autonomous vehicles.

In November 2021, the European Commission established the European Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) to bolster the development of 6G. This initiative facilitates the pooling of EU and industrial resources in Smart Networks and Services, aligning with Member States for 6G Research and Innovation, and deploying advanced 5G networks.

The University of Oulu in Finland launched the world’s first 6G research program, the 6G Flagship, in 2018. Supported by the Research Council of Finland and complemented by various SNS JU projects, the 6G Flagship sets out to envision and define the 6G-enabled digital future as we approach the 2030s.

To delve deeper into the 6G Flagship’s role in preparing Europe for 6G, The Innovation Platform engaged in a discussion with Professor Ari Pouttu, Director of the 6G Flagship.

Unveiling the Objectives of the 6G Flagship

Positioned as the world’s foremost 6G research program, the 6G Flagship strives to establish the technological groundwork for wireless systems that will underpin a sustainable, data-centric society in the 2030s.

Its initiatives encompass the development of technology enablers, establishment of a large-scale 6G Test Network, operation of the 6G Test Centre under NATO’s DIANA framework, and focus on five vertical application areas: Health, Industry, Vehicular, Energy, and Security & Defence. The program also provides visionary leadership through international collaborations and white papers that shape standards and policies.

Both the Research Council of Finland and the University of Oulu equally fund this eight-year project, supplemented by external financial support.

Navigating Challenges in Network Advancement

The journey of network development faces hurdles such as securing high-capacity spectrum, managing energy demands of hardware, ensuring evolving AI-driven networks align with security and trust requirements, addressing societal concerns around access equality and environmental sustainability, and mitigating political risks stemming from fragmented standards and geopolitical tensions.

Strategies to Confront Network Advancement Challenges

The 6G Flagship tackles these challenges through a multi-faceted approach. Fundamental research forms the foundation, complemented by investments in experimental platforms like the test network and Test Centre. At the European level, projects within the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking focus on sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity. The Hexa-X-II project exemplifies this approach by crafting a holistic system vision for 6G.

Enhancing Network Resilience

Resilience hinges on more than just technology. Strategic spectrum management by authorities, provision of space for large-scale testing, regulatory backing for spectrum sharing (especially for private networks enhancing wireless services), adoption of open standards to reduce dependencies and enhance adaptability, and investments in secure, energy-efficient, and privacy-centric design are vital. Collaboration among governments, researchers, and industry is paramount to co-create robust networks that withstand stress.

Progress Towards a Data-Driven, Sustainable Future Society

The trajectory towards a data-driven, sustainable society empowered by near-instant and unlimited wireless connectivity by the 2030s appears promising, albeit not devoid of risks. Scientific breakthroughs, sustained funding from the EU and national entities, and global partnerships signal advancement towards 6G realization. However, achieving this vision necessitates coordinated actions across spectrum policy, sustainability targets, and security frameworks. Commercial deployment is slated for later in the decade, emphasizing the critical nature of forthcoming years.

Note: This article will be featured in the upcoming 23rd edition of our quarterly publication.