SNS JU at EuCNC & 6G Summit: Turning 6G Research into Impact

In June 2026, Europe’s telecommunications research and innovation community converged in Málaga for the EuCNC & 6G Summit, marking the event’s strongest edition to date. The gathering brought together researchers, industry leaders, national initiatives, and collaborative projects from across Europe and beyond, all focused on accelerating the development of next-generation connectivity.

As the continent’s flagship forum for 6G, the summit showcased emerging technologies and demonstrated how research efforts are shaping the infrastructure that will underpin future networks. The Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) played an active role throughout this four-day event. Through its contribution to the opening session, the presence of its projects across the exhibition floor, activities at the SNS JU stand, and a series of presentations, SNS JU was able to demonstrate how European collaboration is translating advanced research into tangible outcomes — spanning AI-native networks, sustainable system design, next-generation hardware, standardisation initiatives, and large-scale trials.

TOWARDS AN INTEGRATED EUROPEAN TECHNOLOGICAL ECOSYSTEM

During the opening session, Thibaut Kleiner, Vice-Chair of the SNS JU Governing Board and Director for Future Networks at DG Connect (European Commission), stressed the importance of reinforcing Europe’s technological sovereignty by developing an integrated ecosystem spanning hardware, software, AI, cloud, connectivity and quantum technologies. He highlighted the Tech Sovereignty Package, signaling a shift from regulation to active shaping of the continent’s technological future:

“Europe can be more ambitious about the future and build a full technology stack – from the Hardware to the Software. We have in Europe first-class talent, labs, a largest Open Source community and we have leading companies, especially In connectivity”.

In this context, he highlighted the SNS JU’s role in supporting this transformation, as its programme continues to drive the development of next-generation technologies and Europe’s broader ambitions for technological sovereignty.

Describing the present moment as a pivotal juncture in technological development, Erzsébet Fitori Executive Director of the SNS JU, articulated in her opening remarks the vision wherein communications, cloud infrastructure, computing, artificial intelligence, sensing capabilities, and advanced positioning systems converge into intelligent, integrated architectures extending from the edge to orbit.

“We are at a very important inflection point in technology development: 6G is about connecting intelligence. The discussions, technologies, and demonstrations presented today could not be more forward-looking”.

SNS JU-funded projects are now advancing towards real-world deployment across critical industries and sectors. These initiatives are delivering tangible results that demonstrate robust social relevance, significant economic potential, and the validation of applications—clearly illustrating how 5G Advanced (B5G) and 6G technologies are driving innovation and generating measurable impact. Such developments are illustrated within the latest Trials & Pilots brochure, released ahead of EuCNC.

DELIVERING REAL-WORLD INNOVATION

The European Space Agency – ESA and 6G-SANDBOX Project joint end-to-end u5G NTN connectivity demonstration, was also prominently featured outside the main entrance to the Trade Fairs and Congress Center of Málaga. Using an antenna-equipped mobile vehicle as the realistic platform to establish a live link to a low Earth orbit satellite, the demonstration underscored the potential to provide seamless connectivity to underserved regions, remote communities, and disaster-affected areas where conventional ground infrastructure may be compromised. Such capabilities extend well beyond telecommunications, offering tangible benefits for sectors including agriculture, maritime transport, and remote monitoring operations. Following the MoI signed between SNS JU and the European Space Agency (ESA)in October 2025, this collaboration is opening new opportunities for SNS JU-funded projects to access advanced ground and in-orbit testing environments.

This year, the SNS JU booth placed a special emphasis on interactive sessions and networking

opportunities, creating a dynamic space for exchange among stakeholders from across the smart networks and services community. The approach proved highly successful, attracting new visitors to the booth and fostering discussions and new connections.

The “Networking Beyond Connectivity” session also offered an opportunity to bring together people from different organisations through a gamified activity, foster discussion on research and innovation, and explore potential future cooperation in areas such as AI-based radio access networks, optical networks, integrated sensing and communication, non-terrestrial networks and industrial applications.

During the 4 days event, all participants were also invited to cast their votes in the competition for the “Most Inspiring SNS JU 6G Use Cases,” selecting from a curated portfolio of innovative solutions developed across funded projects. Drawing upon the comprehensive 467 entries documented in the SNS JU Vertical Engagement Tracker, attendees reviewed a distinguished shortlist of 80 examples before determining the most compelling concepts. This initiative was designed not only to highlight the breadth and diversity of applications emerging from the SNS JU portfolio but also to galvanise community interest in exploring the full repository of use cases accessible via the Tracker.

The EuCNC Summit in Malaga provided the opportunity for the States Representatives Group (SRG) to further strengthen its strategic engagement, aiming to align the Joint Undertaking’s activities with national and regional policies and initiatives. Gathering Member States representatives, representatives from the Commission, 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Associationand national initiatives, the meeting focused on a series of discussions, including on the progress of the SNS JU Programme 2027, synergies between national 6G initiatives and the SNS JU, as well as a workshop on 6G & AI, where representatives from the industry, the European Commission, ETSI, and researchers explored how AI will define next-generation connectivity.

With 1,200 participants from 40 countries and 102 exhibitors, the 2026 edition of EuCNC & 6G Summitillustrated well the sustained momentum of Europe’s connectivity ecosystem. It also reaffirmed the EuCNC and 6G Summit as an essential European event for the 6G Research community, to disseminate project results, foster collaboration with stakeholders and increase the visibility of European leadership in 5G and 6G technologies.

As the portfolio of 100 SNS JUprojects continues to advance steadily in 2026, further success stories and high-impact demonstrations are expected to emerge prominently. This momentum will be especially important, as the coming year is set to mark a turning point for 6G: moving from research and innovation towards system integration and early commercial pilots, including  across other regions of the world.

Looking ahead, the next edition of EuCNC will take place in Dublin from 8 to 11 June 2027. At this flagship event, the SNS JU looks forward to bringing together researchers, telecoms suppliers, operators, cloud providers, chips and AI industries, and policymakers to strengthen collaboration and shared ambition. Europe’s role in shaping 6G will depend not only on technological leadership, but also on its ability to work across the entire value chain — from advanced semiconductors to AI-powered network management and cloud-edge integration. These coordinated efforts will support Europe’s transition to competitive, sustainable and secure 6G networks, while reinforcing its technological leadership and strategic autonomy in next-generation connectivity.

See you next year in Dublin!