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SNS JU January 2025 Newsletter

Happy New Year!

As we welcome the first issue of 2025, we extend our warmest wishes for a joyful and prosperous New Year. May this year bring success, new opportunities, and continued collaboration as we work together toward achieving our shared goals. Here’s to a year filled with innovation, growth, and meaningful accomplishments.

SNS Programme

As of early 2025, the SNS programme has made significant progress in advancing Europe’s leadership in next-generation communication technologies. The projects from Calls 1 and 2 are full steam ahead, with many already delivering promising results in areas such as network efficiency, sustainability, and advanced use cases.

 

The third set, i.e. Call 3, of its 6G projects was launched, critical in establishing a solid European research and innovation (R&I) foundation, defining the next-generation networks. The recently launched projects will be introduced in two webinars in February 2025, to give an overview of their activities and ambitions. Registration is mandatory at SNS JU Call 3 Projects Introduction Webinars – SNS JU

  • The first of these webinars is planned for Friday 14/02/2025 at 10:00 CET for two hours. This first webinar will present Stream B1 (System Architecture), B2 (Wireless Communication Technologies and Signal Processing), B3 (Communication Infrastructure Technologies and Devices) and B4 (Reliable Services and Smart Security) projects according to the agenda SNS JU Call 3 Projects Introduction Webinars – SNS JU.
  • The second of these webinars is planned for Monday 17/02/2025 at 14:00 CET for two hours. This second webinar will present Stream B5 (International Collaboration – EU-Japan), B6 (International Collaboration – EU – Republic of Korea), B7 (Sustainability Lighthouse), B8 (Reliable AI for 6G), C (SNS Microelectronics Lighthouse) and D (SNS Large Scale Trials and Pilots with Verticals) projects according to the agenda SNS JU Call 3 Projects Introduction Webinars – SNS JU
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SNS projects will showcase at EuCNC & 6G Summit 2025 in Poznan. This event combines two major telecom conferences: EuCNC, backed by the European Commission, and the 6G Summit from Finland’s 6G Flagship program. Sponsored by IEEE ComSoc, EURASIP, and EurAAP, it covers 5G deployment, mobile IoT, and 6G research, including testbeds, applications, and services.

Attracting over 1,000 delegates from 40+ countries, the event features cutting-edge research, industry leaders, and a 50+ exhibitor showcase. As a non-profit, registration fees are minimal, with surplus funds used for grants. Best Papers and Booth Awards will be given, and accepted papers will be published in IEEE Xplore and other databases.

With this momentum, the SNS programme continues to strengthen its alignment with global 6G roadmaps and reinforce Europe’s position as a leader in cutting-edge research and development.

SNS JU R&I WP 2025

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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).

6G-IA Workshops on national initiatives

As part of the SNS CSA CO-OP project, 6G-IA is organizing a series of webinars where various national initiatives will showcase their key achievements and share information about their experimental platforms.

The first webinar in this series is “UK’s 6G Achievements and Experimental Platforms” and took place on 24 January 2025, from 11:00 to 12:30 CET.

The Video Recording and Slides of the Webinar “UK’s 6G Achievements and Experimental Platforms” are available here.

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6G-IA Workshops on key topics

The 6G-IA has organized six workshops on the following topics: Photonics, NTN, Security, Wireless and Cloud/Service Provision. The purpose of these workshops was to identify possible future strategic directions for the SNS JU for the remaining years. These reports should trigger further discussions with the 6G-IA members (through the 6G-IA consultations), the European Commission, related Horizon Europe JUs and PPPs, and the SRG. These reports are intended to serve as the starting point of discussions.

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The various position papers on 6G research priorities address key areas critical to the development of next-generation networks:

  • Cloud: The focus is on the cloud continuum, integrating computing resources for low-latency, secure, and flexible service management in 6G. The paper emphasizes Europe’s leadership in this domain through collaborative projects and the need for open-source, green, and interoperable solutions.
  • Microelectronics: The priorities revolve around Europe’s technological sovereignty and economic resilience, stressing the synergy between the EU Chips Act and Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking. Collaborative strategies for addressing semiconductor needs are explored to maintain Europe’s competitive edge in 6G infrastructure.
  • Photonics: Integration into 6G focuses on optimizing infrastructure and advancing technical capabilities. It highlights the need for structured collaboration and alignment with European innovation frameworks to maximize technological impact by 2027.
  • 6G Security: The focus is on ensuring security within the interconnected 6G ecosystem. It builds on 5G security advancements and identifies vulnerabilities, advocating for a collaborative approach with Horizon Europe and Digital Europe to create a robust security framework.
  • Wireless Communication & Signal Processing: Research priorities for wireless technologies and signal processing, such as AI-based channel modeling, meta-surfaces, and energy-efficient designs, are outlined to evolve the RAN and distributed edge applications. The emphasis is on collaboration to drive technology sovereignty and sustainability.
  • Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN): The strategic objectives for NTN technologies are outlined within 6G, focusing on critical technologies and architectural aspects. It provides a roadmap for advancing NTN research and emphasizes the need for capital-intensive validation activities. It also explores synergies with other initiatives.

SNS “Reference” Roadmap Figure

The SNS OPS project 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.

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Impact Assessment and Facilitation Actions (IAFAs)

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Looking back at 2024, Impact Assessment and Facilitation Actions (IAFAs) were successfully implemented in different areas. These targeted the exploitation of synergies and establishment of cooperation roadmaps between the SNS JU with the Digital Innovation Hubs, particularly the Smart Connectivity Digital Innovation Hub Network (SCoDIHNet); the Chips JU and the EU microelectronics stakeholders and, the European Cybersecurity Organisation (ECSO) and the cyber community overall.

  • The IAFA#4 consisted of a three-event series focused on standardisation.
  • The 6Gsec Common Path and Cardinal Points “6Gsec CP²” event or IAFA3 took place on the 23 of January 2024 in Paris, France. Hosted by PTTC (Transfer Programme at the Cyber Campus), it was jointly organised by the SNS OPS project, ECSO and Networld Europe.
  • NetworldEurope and AIOTI organised the IAFA#9 on 21 January 2025. It was a joint webinar on exploring the transformative potential of advanced communications to drive sustainability.

In this pioneering initiative, researchers, practitioners and policymakers came together to discuss the current landscape in cybersecurity and 6G and how a close cooperation between both communities is critical to ensure the security of 6G networks and services.

The report of the event is now available here.

The detailed agenda, the slides and a short video of the event are available in the 6G SNS website.

  • The IAFA#6 saw the participation of Didier Bourse, Nokia at the 5G-ACIA meeting organized on 3-5 December 2024 in Nuremberg including 1 hour 6G-IA presentation (https://5g-acia.org/events/5g-acia-32nd-plenary-meeting-in-nuremberg/). Exchanges were very fruitful with excellent synchronization and brainstorming on 5G, 5G Advanced and 6G specifically focused on Industry/Manufacturing. The meeting opened the road to further discussions to organize 6G-IA-5G-ACIA online Workshops soon. They will be focused on Trials & Pilots (T&Ps), Use-cases and Business-cases (UCs/BCs), ICAS… The First Webinar could take place in February 2025 on T&Ps.

Call for Comments on RSPG 6G Strategic Vision Draft Report

The Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG), high-level advisory group assisting the Commission in the development of radio spectrum policy,  has made the draft of its 6G Strategic vision report available for comment until 27 December.

The document is available here.

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€128 million in funding announced to advance 5G connectivity across Europe

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On 19 December 2024, the Commission announced grant agreements totaling €128 million to support 31 new 5G infrastructure projects, following the third call for proposals of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Digital).

This adds to the €93 million already committed to finance 35 projects for 5G under the first two CEF Digital calls, for a total of €221 million to co-fund 66 5G infrastructure deployment projects.

The EU Digital Decade outlines an ambitious roadmap for Europe’s digital transition, with 5G playing a pivotal role in achieving this vision. A key target is to ensure comprehensive 5G coverage across all populated areas by 2030. Moreover, 5G-powered verticals are seen as critical drivers of digital transformation, enabling businesses to unlock new levels of innovation and contribute to the development of future networks, in line with the “3C Network” (Connected, Collaborative, Computing) vision envisaged by the White Paper.

The newly funded projects will support the roll out of 5G standalone infrastructure in local communities and along European transport paths.

Additional €142 million to support submarine networks and connectivity infrastructure under Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Digital

The Commission has signed grant agreements worth €142 million with 21 projects upgrading or deploying new connectivity backbone cables, including submarine cables.

Submarine cables transport more than 98% of the global telecom traffic and play an essential role for the resilience and security of digital connectivity. CEF Digital puts the security of this critical infrastructure at its core, by ensuring all beneficiaries of CEF grants are EU-controlled entities and the cables that will be deployed are built with secure technology. Almost all the funded cables are equipped with large geographical sensors to monitor nearby activities and with early warning systems to protect the infrastructure itself.

The projects financed under the third set of calls of CEF Digital will significantly contribute to boosting global connections between Europe and third countries, as well as between Member States and with Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories.

This additional investment brings the total funding for backbone cable projects to €420 million under the first Work Programme 2021-23, solidifying the EU’s commitment to a more connected, resilient, and secure critical infrastructure.

The 5G Strategic Deployment Agenda for Connectivity and Sustainability in Europe

The Strategic Deployment Agenda (SDA) for 5G Connectivity and Spectrum for Rail represents the vision for the future of railway communications in Europe. This document outlines the implementation strategy for two 5G key initiatives: the “Gigabit Train” and the “Digital Rail Operations”, which are designed to significantly enhance both passenger experience and railway operational efficiency.

This 5GSDA is vital for SNS JU as it aligns with its core mission to implement 5G technologies across European rail corridors – the “5G Corridors”, funded under the Connecting Europe Facility – Digital by HaDEA – the EU Health and Digital Executive Agency. They support the critical transition to sustainable transport through digital innovation and 5G, while enabling the deployment of advanced rail operations that will revolutionize the future of European rail transportation.

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The SDA aims to address five fundamental objectives:

  • Identifying railway services requirements and performance levels
  • Determining the necessary technical innovations
  • Understanding the market conditions and ensuring adapted regulatory frameworks are in place
  • Defining deployment scenarios along 5G corridors and options for underpinning cooperation models
  • Establishing clear planning and implementation timelines

This 5G strategic agenda represents a collaborative effort between the rail sector and various stakeholders, including mobile network operators, to address current challenges in railway connectivity. It presents a roadmap for implementation as of 2027, focusing on both passenger connectivity needs (targeting 3-5 Gbps per train) and operational requirements through the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS).

The document serves as a foundational framework for innovation, public-private cooperation, and investment strategies in railway communications infrastructure, supporting the European Union’s broader goals of sustainable and smart mobility.

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