SNS JU shared its second Annual Activity Report (AAR) with the European Institutions

Dear Reader,

It is with great pleasure that I present to you the second Annual Activity Report of the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU).

2024 marked important milestones for the Smart Networks and Services (SNS) Community and our Joint Undertaking. As we step into 2025, we do so at a pivotal time for Europe’s digital connectivity landscape. The continued evolution of smart networks and services is not only a technological challenge, it is a strategic necessity for Europe’s competitiveness, resilience, and future prosperity as highlighted in the Draghi report on EU competitiveness and by the newly appointed Von der Leyen Commission 2024-2029.

The SNS Joint Undertaking, created under Horizon Europe, continues to serve as a dynamic engine for research, innovation, and deployment. As a financially autonomous EU body, we’ve remained true to our mission: advancing Europe’s technological leadership in next-generation networks, while firmly anchoring our progress in European values. This work would not be possible without the strong collaboration between the European Commission, the 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA), Member States and Associated Countries, international partners, and a vibrant, growing community of public and private stakeholders.

2024 was a year of growth. Our team has expanded to meet the demands of an ambitious programme, and the European 6G R&I initiative has successfully entered its second phase. With 79 projects now in our portfolio, we are making strong progress across both pillars of our mission: supporting the strategic deployment of 5G infrastructure and fostering the technological and industrial foundations for 6G.

Europe’s ambition to lead in 6G is bold and clear. Our approach is holistic, extending beyond connectivity to include cloud-edge infrastructure, advanced microelectronics, and secure, sustainable, and inclusive technologies. The projects showcased in this report reflect the breadth and depth of our community’s expertise, addressing key societal and political challenges, accelerating the digitalisation of verticals, and creating new business opportunities for Europe in the global technology race.

But beyond the technological frontier, we are equally focused on ensuring our networks and services reflect the values we stand for: competitiveness, security, resilience, sustainability, and openness. As we explore new cutting-edge domains such as AI, quantum, cybersecurity, and energy efficiency, these principles remain our guiding compass.

Looking ahead, the path to 6G leadership lies in building on our strong research base and turning that excellence into industrial strength. I am confident that the SNS JU, through its unique public-private partnership model, will continue to be a vital instrument in realising Europe’s digital future.

To all our partners: researchers, industry leaders, SMEs and policymakers, thank you for your unwavering commitment. Together, we are not just imagining the future. We are building it.

Erzsébet Fitori

Executive Director of the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking