EU invests more than 500 million EUR to boost 6G research and innovation

November 1, 2024

The Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) has announced the 16 winners of its third call for proposals, with a 128 million EUR funding boost in 2024.

At 5G-Techritory event in Riga, the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) announced the winners of its third call for proposals, with 16 innovative projects selected to receive funding for advancing the next generation communications networks and services. These projects aim to offer breakthrough innovations, develop experimental platforms, and conduct large-scale trials, driving world-class research and shaping the world’s digitally connected future.

The SNS JU received an enthusiastic response to its 2024 call, with requested grants totalling €863 million, more than 7 times the available funding. Proposals came from 1,874 applicants across 33 European countries, demonstrating the depth of beyond 5G/6G expertise across the region. The 16 selected projects in this third call will support 301 beneficiaries from 25 countries in developing and deploying next-generation network infrastructure, platforms, and services.

“We were pleased with the robust response to our 2024 call,” said Erzsébet Fitori, Executive Director of SNS JU. “The projects selected highlight the diversity of 6G development happening across Europe, from infrastructure to applications to security. SNS JU is proud to support these efforts to ensure Europe remains at the forefront of 6G research and innovation and help realise its potential to transform lives and society.”

Europe’s 6G innovation spectrum: diverse projects driving breakthroughs across the network and for future services

Each of the winning projects explores innovative approaches spanning a comprehensive spectrum of 6G domains. The diverse array of projects ensures a multifaceted approach to addressing 6G challenges and promises a wide range of research breakthroughs and innovative solutions:

FLECON-6G: Brings the “Intelligent 6G Network of Networks” vision to life delivering a flexible, secure and Open 6G Architecture.
UNITY-6G: Focuses on creating a highly sustainable and scalable AI-native architecture to support the diverse requirements of 6G networks.
6G-LEADER: Is advancing the physical and Radio Access Network aspects of 6G such as machine learning-empowered algorithms and disaggregated RAN implementation.
Multi-X: Develops a fusion 6G-RAN system that will pioneer multi-sensor and multi-technology paradigms for sensing applications.
AMBIENT-6G: Introduces energy-neutral devices (ENDs) powered by ambient energy harvesting, aiming to achieve decades-long autonomy for IoT ecosystems.
NexaSphere: Conceptualises a sustainable multi-connected 3D network, integrating radio and wireless-optical technologies for sectors like aeronautics and automotive.
MARE: Will contribute a novel 6G security plane offering transparent, multi-domain security and privacy provisioning.
XTRUST-6G: Will establish a robust zero-trust security framework, focusing on resilient, AI-driven and quantum-safe network and services.
6G MIRAI: Develops reliable AI-native wireless systems, leveraging cell-free massive MIMO and next-gen virtualized RAN for seamless communication.
6G ARROW: Focuses on leveraging AI in radio access networks, enhancing network efficiency and seamless device integration.
SUSTAIN-6G (Sustainability Lighthouse): Develops a holistic sustainability framework that addresses environmental, societal, and economic aspects of 6G and for key vertical sectors. It will be applied in an end-to-end manner, considering the full lifecycle of assets.
6G-DALI: Will deliver an end-to-end AI framework for 6G, integrating AI experimentation as a service, data analytics and storage.
X-TREME 6G (Microelectronics Lighthouse): Designs cutting-edge chipsets for 6G, including applications like wireless back-hauling and joint communication and sensing.
6G-VERSUS: Focuses on integrating sustainable technologies across five environmentally conscious industries, using innovative 6G platforms to optimise data and decision-making processes.
AMAZING-6G: Aims to showcase 14 use cases in the domains of Healthcare, Public Safety, Energy and Transport (including Rail) implementing large-scale trials and pilots across Europe. Innovative technology enablers are planned to be developed and tested in the areas of Communications, Compute-as-a-Service, Applications and AI, IoT and localization.
SNS CO-OP: Supports the overall activities of SNS JU, ensuring long-term continuity and coordination for 6G research and innovation efforts across Europe.

These projects demonstrate Europe’s commitment to research and innovation, focusing on strategic areas such as micro-electronics, sustainability, AI integration, and cybersecurity.

Shaping the future: Europe’s leap into sustainable, AI-driven, and globally connected networks

Sustainability and microelectronics Lighthouse: SUSTAIN-6G and X-TREME 6G are two critical SNS Lighthouses. SUSTAIN-6G is our Lighthouse to integrate environmental, societal, and economic sustainability into future communications and vertical systems. This ensures 6G aligns with Europe’s Green Deal ambitions, shaping a sustainable future within planetary boundaries. X-TREME 6G, is our Microelectronics Lighthouse:It will establish and maintain an open platform to push forward 6G chip design, developing the chipsets that will power future 6G networks.
Reliable AI for 6G: 6G-DALI is pioneering the integration of AI into 6G networks with a two-pillar framework: AI experimentation as a service via MLOps, and data management via DataOps. It addresses challenges like limited datasets by creating a 6G Dataspace for secure data storage and sharing, enabling robust machine learning model training. The project also offers continuous monitoring and retraining, with a Digital Twin testbed for on-demand data generation. Together, this framework positions 6G-DALI as a key driver of AI-native 6G networks.
International collaboration: 6G-MIRAI and 6G-ARROW are our two international projects in partnership respectively with Japan and South Korea. 6G-MIRAI aims at developing reliable and robust AI-native wireless communication systems that enable the practical exploitation of the full potential of the latest physical layer technological advances, and of next-generation virtualized and potentially disaggregated radio access networks (RANs). Meanwhile, 6G-ARROW by fostering interoperability and collaboration between devices and networks, will pave the way for seamless connectivity across heterogeneous environments, driving innovation and fostering new business models in the era of 6G.

This vision goes beyond enhancing existing technologies – the SNS JU aims to push the boundaries and shape the future of connectivity as a unique European effort – based on cooperation between the public and private sides with the strategic involvement of national governments.

The outcomes of these projects will not only benefit the European economy but also set the stage for global 6G standards and applications that will strengthen European industrial leadership and contribute to Europe’s technological sovereignty.