SNS JU December 2024 Newsflash

SNS JU R&I WP 2025

On 21 December 2024, the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) announced the publication of its Annual Work Programme (AWP) 2025, which includes the Research and Innovation Work Programme for 2025 (SNS R&I WP 2025), allocating €128 million in EU funding to advance Europe’s leadership in Beyond 5G and 6G technologies and the future of connectivity.

The next R&I funding marks a significant step in implementing the SNS JU’s strategic vision for European technological sovereignty in smart networks and services.

“This Work Programme represents a crucial step in Europe’s journey towards 6G leadership,” said Erzsébet Fitori, Executive Director of the SNS JU. “By bringing together industry, academia, and research institutions, we’re not just developing technology – we’re building Europe’s digital future with a focus on sustainability, security, and societal impact.”

The official call opening is expected during January 2025 (date not defined yet), while the current expected deadline for the proposal submission is mid/end April 2025 (not finalized yet).

You can download the SNS-work-programme-2025 here.

Find more information about the SNS JU here.

6G IA VISION WG WHITE PAPER: EUROPEAN VISION for the 6G NETWORK ECOSYSTEM

The 6G-IA Vision Working Group released a White Paper titled “EUROPEAN VISION for the 6G NETWORK ECOSYSTEM”. A dedicated webinar presenting the white paper was held on 25 November 2024.

This white paper focuses on the ongoing global efforts to develop and standardise 6G networks, aiming for a commercial launch around 2030. It highlights the importance of creating a unified 6G vision, driven by key stakeholders worldwide, towards a single global consensus.
The European perspective, as represented by the 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA), is emphasized, showcasing Europe’s proactive role in 6G Research and Development (R&D) and standardisation, also addressing societal, environmental, economic and market challenges. The report outlines the technological advancements anticipated in 6G, such as native artificial intelligence (AI) support, integrated sensing and communications (ISAC), and advanced cybersecurity. It also stresses the focus on sustainability, both in making 6G systems themselves sustainable and in using 6G to enhance sustainability across various industries, including media, transportation, and healthcare.  The report considers the need for socio-economic considerations in 6G development, including energy efficiency and sustainability goals. It also calls for integrating sustainability metrics, like Key Value Indicators (KVIs), into the R&D process to ensure that 6G not only meets technical performance targets but also contributes positively to societal, economic and environmental goals.

Access the webinar slides here and the White Paper here.

SNS OPS “Reference” Roadmap Figure

The SNS OPS project (Call1) orchestrates and organises strategic activities to capture and promote the European view on 6G, the achievements of the 6G SNS and monitors the development and impact of these results on the evolution of 6G in Europe over the period of life of the 6G SNS initiative.

The dedicated efforts of the entire team, under the leadership of Didier Bourse, Nokia, have made it possible to deliver this comprehensive and well-structured Reference roadmap figure. This achievement reflects the team’s commitment and expertise, providing a clear vision to guide future developments in 6G technology.

The SNS agenda is progressing smoothly: Call 1 and 2 projects are already up and running, while Call 3 projects are set to begin in early 2025. Call 4 is expected to close in April 2025. Calls 5 and 6 are scheduled by 2027.

This timeline is fully aligned with the roadmaps of both 3GPP and ITU, and with agendas published by international associations, other SDOs/OSCs and ecosystems/For a, paving the way for development and commercialisation starting in 2029.

IEEE CSCN 2024

The IEEE Conference on Standards for communications and Networking (CSCN 2024) took place on 25-27 November 2024 in Belgrade, Serbia.

Several SNS projects took part in the event, 6GREEN and EXIGENCE participated to the “Operational Sustainability of 6G Systems Panel”; EXIGENCE participated also through Artur Hecker its Huawei partner in the technical session 1 on Research Projects and in the keynote: Operational  Sustainability of Mobile Telecommunications Systems: The Role of the Digital Society; VERGE presented the paper  “On the Deployment of an AI-driven Power Control Mechanism for D-MIMO in Beyond 5G Scenarios“; 6G-TWIN presented its scientific publication “Network Digital Twins for 6G: Defining Data Taxonomy and Data Models”.

Special session organised by SNS projects

The special session: “Key enablers for integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) in industrial environments” was organised at the event on 27 November 2024 by 3 SNS projects, TIMES, TERRAMETA, and 6G-SHINE. The Special Session provided valuable insights into the integration of Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) technologies in future networks. Mario Castaneda (Huawei, Germany) opened the session by outlining the pathway of ISAC towards standardization, highlighting ongoing and upcoming 3GPP activities for Release 20 and beyond. Filipe Conceicao (InterDigital, UK) followed with a detailed presentation on architectural options for enabling ISAC in 6G, supported by practical use cases. A dynamic panel discussion, moderated by Malte Schellmann (Huawei, Germany) and featuring panelists Praveen Naidu Vummadisetty (University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg) and Konstantinos Manolakis (Nokia, Germany), explored the opportunities, benefits, and challenges of ISAC in future radio networks. The session, enriched by audience questions, transformed into an engaging interactive dialogue, addressing key concerns and fostering knowledge exchange. With more than 20 attendees from both academia and industry, the session and panel discussion were well-received and marked by active participation.

IEEE Globecom 2024

The 2024 IEEE Global Communications Conference (GLOBECOM) was held in Cape Town, South Africa, from 8 to 12 December 2024. Themed “Connecting the Intelligent World through Africa,” this flagship conference of the IEEE Communications Society featured a comprehensive technical program, including 13 symposia and a variety of tutorials and workshops. IEEE GLOBECOM 2024 also included an engaging Industry program, with keynotes and panels from prominent research, industry, and government leaders, business and industry panels, and vendor exhibits.

Many SNS projects made significant contributions at IEEE GLOBECOM 2024, showcasing research on sustainable and secure 6G networks. Dr. Mir Ghoraishi from BeGREEN project participated in the Industry Panel, sharing insights on sustainable networks. Carla Amatetti from 6G-NTN presented “6G NTN in C and Q/V-Bands: Link Budget Analysis and Waveforms Performance,” while DLR and CNIT co-organized a workshop where CNIT and CTTC shared their research.

ETHER contributed with the paper “Techno-Economic Analysis of Sustainable Terrestrial, Aerial, and Space 6G Networks,” presented by Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. PREDICT-6G, led by Sebastian Robitzsch, presented “Standardisation Assessment of a Digital Twin-Based Multi-Domain Deterministic Communications System” during the 6GArch workshop other projects supported the organisation of this workshop with ETHER or ORIGAMI.

IS-Wireless, representing 6G-SANDBOX, showcased “5G Demonstration on an EMDC with ML-Enabled Scaling and QKD-Secured Connectivity.” Panagiotis Marantis from 6G-BRICKS presented “Anomaly Detection with Quantified Explanations for Multivariate Time Series Networking Data,” while Javier Palomares Torrecilla from 6G-XR discussed “MEO: An Enhanced MEC Orchestrator for Federated and Distributed MEC Systems.”

Artur Hecker from EXIGENCE joined the Industry Panel on “Green Native Design,” addressing energy optimization for 6G networks. Finally, Stefano Tomasin from ROBUST-6G delivered a keynote on securing wireless networks with advanced machine learning.

6G-IA Presentation to 5G-ACIA Meeting

The 32nd 5G-ACIA Plenary Meeting took place on 3-5 December 2024 in Nuremberg, Germany as a physical meeting. During the meeting, 5G-ACIA members discuss and decide on various topics and debate the ongoing work of the 5G-ACIA working groups. During the Meeting the 6G-IA made a presentation, Didier Bourse (Nokia, SNS OPS/SNS ICE) presented and interacted on-site with 5G-ACIA Members.

6G-IA General Assembly Meeting

On 9 December, the 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA) General Assembly Meeting took place. The event has gathered more than 170 participants.

ITU-ETSI Symposium on ICT Sustainability

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) organised the “ITU-ETSI Symposium on ICT Sustainability: Standards Driving Environmental Innovation”, which took place from 11–12 December 2024, in ITU Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

The ETSI and ITU ICT Sustainability Symposium: Standards Driving Environmental Innovation brought together industry leaders, policymakers, researchers and stakeholders to explore the crucial role of standards in promoting sustainable ICT practices. Standards guide the development of technologies that minimize environmental impact and enhance energy efficiency.

The objectives of the symposium included: 

• Informing participants about the latest standardisation activities for sustainable ICT.
• Education on leveraging environmental sustainability standards to support policies and regulations related to ICT products, networks and services.
• Showcasing cutting-edge innovations, case examples and research projects of ICT initiatives for sustainability.
• Facilitating networking opportunities with experts, speakers, and stakeholders from various organizations.

6G-NTN project partners actively participated in the ETSI-ITU Symposium on ICT Sustainability, showcasing collaborative efforts to integrate sustainability into the future of connectivity. During the event, the Hexa-X-II project took center stage with a compelling presentation by Stefan Wendt (Orange), highlighting how sustainability served as a fundamental design principle for 6G. Hexa-X-II’s vision ensured that environmental, social, and economic sustainability remained central to 6G development. Additionally, Monique Calisti, 6G4Society Project Coordinator, represented 6G4Society at the Symposium. Together with Marja Matinmikko-Blue (External Advisory Board) and Anna Aseeva (Sustainability Expert), she engaged in discussions on how ICT standards drive environmental innovation. In collaboration with ETSI, IEEE, the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU), and the Hexa-X-II ecosystem, efforts focused on integrating sustainability and societal values into the design phase of 6G technologies. By prioritizing these elements early, the goal was to ensure that the next generation of connectivity would be developed with environmental care and social impact at its core.

PSCE Winter Conference 2024

The Public Safety Communication Europe (PSCE) Winter Conference 2024 took place on 4-5 December 2024 in Brussels, Belgium. The event provided a valuable opportunity to gain insights into key lessons learned from managing large-scale events, emphasizing the importance of effective communication and data exchange throughout the disaster management cycle. Practitioners shared their experiences and highlighted existing gaps in responding to European flooding, offering a practical perspective on challenges encountered in the field. Additionally, the discussions underscored the critical need to prepare and enhance the EU Critical Communication System (EUCCS) to ensure more robust and reliable communication capabilities during future emergencies.

The Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) Deputy Head of Program Pavlos Fournogerakis participated at the event.

The FIDAL Project coordinator attended the conference, presenting key updates to nearly 100 attendees. Highlights included the status of FIDAL Use Cases, plans for upcoming large-scale testing, progress on Open Call 1, and details of Open Call 2. A snapshot of the Day II PPDR Workshop showcased PPDR Use Cases and Open Call 1 projects. Looking ahead, the focus will be on finalizing large-scale scenarios, defining testing plans, optimizing network applications, acquiring necessary equipment, and coordinating with potential participants for the next project phase.

DefCamp Conference 2024

DefCamp 2024, the largest cybersecurity conference in Central and Eastern Europe took place on 28-29 November 2024 in Bucharest, Romania, the focus of the conference was to explore the latest trends and innovations in cybersecurity. This year, the event delved into emerging threats, advanced defense mechanisms, and the future of digital security. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with leading experts, participate in hands-on workshops, and network with professionals dedicated to protecting our digital infrastructure.

ADROIT6G was showcased at a booth by Orange Romania, highlighting its high-level architecture, platform features, and use cases. Discussions also covered the project’s implications for future cybersecurity strategies and its potential to address emerging threats. This event was pivotal in raising awareness and understanding of ADROIT6G‘s potential impact on the cybersecurity landscape.

Orange Romania also showcased 6G-PATH at their dedicated booth. The presentation highlighted the project’s role in addressing the evolving challenges of secure communication networks, emphasizing the potential of 6G technologies to deliver innovative solutions for a safer and smarter connected future.

NetworldEurope & AIOTI Webinar

he webinar “How advanced communications can support sustainability goals” will take place on 21 January 2025 between 9:30 – 13:00 CET, jointly organised by NetworldEurope and the Alliance for AI, IoT and Edge Continuum Innovation (AIOTI).

The workshop aims to provide an open information space for sharing current and future views on how advanced communications can support sustainability goals. Hopefully, it will empower each of us with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration needed to make sustainable choices that can impact our work, community, and the planet.

Two different discussion panels are organised:

Panel 1 will address “Advanced communications contributing to sustainability” and

Panel 2 will address “AI, IoT, and Edge Continuum improving the performance of digital society.”

Key speakers from industry and academia will represent the views of manufacturers, operators, industry bodies, and research scientists at the workshop.

The webinar is open to the public, and there is no need to register.

The link to join is available here.

Hexa-X-II Anchoring 6G in Society Survey

In the context of 6G Flagship project Hexa-X-II a comprehensive 6G Technology and Network Survey, “Anchoring 6G in Society” is conducted.

This initiative is designed to gather valuable insights from key stakeholders to better understand the needs, expectations, and concerns regarding emerging technologies such as 6G networks, XR/AR devices, and robotics

The inputs will directly contribute to:

• Identifying critical gaps in current connectivity solutions.
• Understanding the social, economic, and environmental priorities for future networks.
• Shaping how XR/AR technologies and collaborative robotics can foster inclusion, trust, and innovation.

The participant’s perspectives will help guide the development of next-generation technologies that align with the needs of both industry and society.

The survey will only take 10–15 minutes and is available here.

Key Areas Covered:

• Your connectivity needs and expectations for personal and professional use.
• Priorities for environmental, social, and economic considerations in mobile networks.
• Perspectives on XR/AR inclusivity, trustworthiness, and impact areas.
• Comfort and collaboration with robotics and advanced technologies.

The survey should be completed by 10 January 2025. The feedback is invaluable and will remain completely confidential.

Call for Papers: 2nd Workshop “The path towards 6G: Standardization and Research Vision”

The 2nd Workshop on “The path towards 6G: Standardization and Research Vision” will take place in conjunction with IEEE ICC 2025 on 8-12 June 2025 in Montreal, Canada.

The goal of this workshop is twofold. On the one hand, it will focus on highlighting the key architectural innovations required for future 6G mobile and wireless networks, while on the other hand, provide updates on the latest generation of 6G projects worldwide. Moreover, the workshop aims at enabling discussion and identify areas of collaboration among existing ongoing activities worldwide. This will be enabled by providing social networking opportunities through the introduction of poster sessions and panels with related projects.

The topics of interest of the workshop include (but are not limited by):

• AI/ML-driven network management
• AI/ML empowered RAN Intelligent optimization
• Dynamic dependability and high resilience
• Time-sensitive wireless/mobile networks
• Network Digital Twinning
• Native and Trustworthy AI algorithms
• High-resolution localisation
• AI framework for DataOps and MLOps in 6G
• E2E Network Slicing and Deep Slicing to support diverse verticals
• Open Testbeds and facilities to assess new technology enablers
• Network Architecture Evolution from 5G to 6G
• 6G architectural enablers addressing e.g. important KPIs such as energy efficiency
• Industry landscape and Standardization efforts for 6G
• Testbeds/Experimentation to validate or support 6G solutions
• 3GPP, ETSI, TMF, IEFT, ITU, O-RAN, IRFT, GSAM  standardization activities related to 6G

Important dates:
Paper submission deadline: 25 January 2025
Authors notification deadline: 10 March 2025
Camera ready due: 31 March 2025
Accepted author registration 31 March 2025
Workshop date: TBD

The workshop is technically co-sponsored and scientifically supported by the following projects: 6G SNS JU HORSE, 6GREEN, ADROIT6G, 6G-BRICKS, SUNRISE-6G, 6G-INTENSE, 6G-DALI, AC3, PRIVATEER, SUPERIOT and 6G-TWIN.

Workshop Organisers
Prof. Fabrizio Granelli, University of Trento
Dr. Cristina Emilia Costa, CNIT
Prof. Christos Verikoukis, ISI/ATH & University of Patras
Dr. Emilio Calvanese Strinati, CEA
Dr. Luis Miguel Conteras Telefónica Innovación Digitital
Prof. Marcos Katz, University of Oulu

Paper submission is available here.

Call for Papers First Workshop on Shaping the Future of Telecoms – Networks for Joint Intelligence, Sustainability, Security, and Resilience (2025)

The First Workshop on Shaping the Future of Telecoms – Networks for Joint Intelligence, Sustainability, Security, and Resilience (2025) will be organised in conjunction with IEEE International Conference on Computer Communications on 19 May 2025.

This workshop provides a unique international platform to explore federated, multi-layered, and interdisciplinary approaches for building next-generation telecom networks that are intelligent, sustainable, secure, and resilient.

The workshop emphasizes the critical role of interoperability in enabling seamless collaboration across intelligence, sustainability, security, and resilience. It will showcase cutting-edge research on federated network architectures, multi-access technologies, AI-enhanced systems, and cross-layer solutions to advance the state of the art in network design.

By fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government, the workshop aims to lay the foundation for the interconnected and adaptive telecom networks of the future. The program features paper presentations as well as

• Keynotes by prominent leaders from academia and industry
• Panel discussions with UK Telecom Hub leaders
• Practical demos from UK Telecom hubs: HASC, TITAN, CHEDDAR, JOINER and other research projects.

Submission Details:

Papers must be formatted in the standard IEEE two-column format used by the INFOCOM 2025 main conference and must not exceed six pages in length, including references. All submissions will undergo a peer review process, and accepted papers presented by one of the authors at the workshop will be published in the IEEE INFOCOM 2025 proceedings and IEEE Xplore. Submit your paper via EDAS using this link.

Important Dates:

• Submission Deadline: 10 January 2025
• Notification of Acceptance: 5 February 2025
• Camera Ready: 26 February 2025 (Firm Deadline)
• Workshop: 19 May 2025

SCoDIHNet monthly news

The SCoDIHNet platform catalog is being updated, now it includes DIH platforms (12), AIOTI Test beds (68), CEF 5G for Smart connectivity sites (17), CEF 5G Corridors sites (6), 5G PPP experimental platforms (3), SNS JU StreamC platforms (5) and Testing European Facilities. This catalog will be implemented on the DIHIWare platform with the map of the location of each of them.

A meeting has been organised with Technfinders.io project representatives on 5 December, several commonalities and possible cooperations identified. A presentation of the project is scheduled for the next SCoDIHNet monthly meeting (14 January 2025). The idea is to better organise our Replicability initiative with regards to the similar other initiatives including the Horizon Result Platform and the Horizon Booster project.

The SNS-ICE/SCoDIHNet webinar “How Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) could improve cooperation with technology providers?” has been organised on the 2^nd December, 48 people were registered coming from DIHs and Technology providers. Presentations are available on the SNS JU website.

The podcast How SNS project results can contribute to the digitalisation of the European industry? recording session will take place in January, the podcast will be available on SNS platforms as well as on the Collabwith platform.

SCoDIHNet has been invited at the Embracing Digital Tools and 5G for Zero-Waste and Sustainable Manufacturing webinar which took place on 12 December, more information available here.