Empowering Europe: The Societal Benefits of 6G Connectivity

Europe’s Preparation for the 6G Connectivity Leap

As Europe gears up for the transition to 6G connectivity, a collaborative effort involving researchers, policymakers, and citizens is underway to ensure that the next digital revolution not only brings faster speeds but also upholds principles of ethics, sustainability, and inclusivity.

Leading this charge is Dr. Monique Calisti, an Italian engineer, entrepreneur, and researcher who advocates for placing public values at the forefront of shaping the future digital landscape.

With a personal stake in the matter, Calisti emphasizes the importance of providing her three teenage daughters with a sustainable and socially inclusive digital environment.

Founder and CEO of Martel Innovate, a digital innovation and consulting company based in Switzerland, Calisti also established Digital for Planet, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable, ethical, and inclusive digital technologies.

Embracing the Next Generation of 6G Connectivity

At present, Calisti is spearheading a two-year EU-funded initiative known as 6G4Society with the goal of ensuring that the upcoming 6G mobile network era prioritizes inclusivity, sustainability, ethics, and trustworthiness alongside enhanced capabilities.

While current 5G networks are paving the way, the anticipated launch of 6G around 2030 promises not only significantly higher speeds but also reduced latency crucial for applications like remote surgery, autonomous vehicles, and environmental monitoring.

6G’s potential benefits for users include widespread, ultra-fast, and reliable connectivity, blurring the boundaries between physical and digital realms.

With a vision of a super-reliable network enabling hologram conversations, Calisti envisions scenarios where individuals like children in hospitals or refugees can interact with their loved ones through 3D holographic images.

Unlocking Future Opportunities

Telemedicine, remote surgery, and direct communication between vehicles and infrastructure are among the advancements expected in the coming decade, offering new possibilities for society.

For instance, a leading heart surgeon in Paris could utilize 6G connectivity to perform life-saving surgery on a patient in another part of Europe using a robotic arm controlled remotely.

Despite the promise of 6G, questions around its deployment, especially in relation to health, environment, and privacy, have surfaced. Calisti acknowledges the need to address these concerns and ensure that 6G development aligns with societal and environmental priorities.

A Holistic Approach to 6G Development

The 6G4Society initiative brings together stakeholders from universities, industry, policymakers, non-profits, and civil society across Europe to advance networks that are both technologically advanced and socially responsible.

Focused on societal, environmental, and sustainability aspects of 6G technology, the initiative aims to contribute to European efforts in accelerating 5G deployment and laying the groundwork for 6G connectivity through the European Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking.

By fostering collaboration between EU policymakers, companies, and researchers, the initiative strives to ensure that Europe remains at the forefront of technological advancements while addressing societal needs.

Integration of Social Sciences in Technology Development

While engineers drive technological innovations, social scientists like Dr. Katrina Petersen play a crucial role in understanding technology’s societal impact and the values it should uphold.

Dr. Petersen emphasizes the importance of involving end users and broader society to ensure that technology serves the needs of individuals and communities.

For instance, challenges faced by emergency responders in communicating during crises underscore the necessity of considering societal needs in technology development.

Public Engagement and Expectations for 6G

Through surveys conducted across Europe, the 6G4Society team aims to gather public feedback on 5G experiences and expectations for 6G, revealing varying concerns based on location and age demographics.

While younger individuals prioritize environmental aspects, older demographics are more focused on privacy and security. Expectations for 6G include better access to information, improved energy efficiency, and optimism for future benefits.

Addressing sustainability beyond energy considerations, initiatives like 6G4Society aim to ensure holistic assessments of environmental impacts and ecosystem sustainability.

Shaping Europe’s Digital Landscape

Continuing public engagement through interviews, workshops, and webinars, the 6G4Society initiative seeks to inform EU policy and industry decisions for the foreseeable future.

As Europe prepares for the advent of 6G connectivity, the emphasis on aligning technology with societal values underscores the commitment to a more inclusive and equitable digital future.

Funding for the research in this article was provided by the EU’s Horizon Programme. The opinions expressed by the interviewees do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission.

This article was originally published in Horizon, the EU Research and Innovation Magazine.

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