SNS JU unveils its 2025 Top-10 Key Achievements: Leading Europe’s 6G Innovation

The Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) is pleased to announce its 2025 Top–10 Key Achievements: a selection that highlights the most significant results from its ongoing projects (Call 1 and Call 2), spanning across significant technology development, to experimentation, vertical solutions and trials, impactful standards contribution and sustainability solutions. 

Launched for the first time in 2025, the SNS Key Achievements process provides an opportunity for all projects to present their most significant results. The initiative aims to identify and promote the most promising technological, experimental, and market-oriented innovations that are driving progress towards 6G.

Colin Willcock, Chairman of the Board of the 6G-Industry Association (6G-IA), Vice-Chairman of the SNS JU: “These outstanding results show the impact of the Smart Network and Services Joint Undertaking in creating the future 6G world. It demonstrates the hard work and excellence of the many research projects and validates the extensive and early public funding to make this possible”.

Erzsebet Fitori, SNS JU Executive Director: “Key Achievements are a great tool to illustrate what European research and innovation projects, funded by the SNS JU programme, accomplish and deliver. These new technology solutions are examples of the real life impact EU funded research can make in areas like sustainable future networks or advanced industrial applications, while also identifying areas for further exploration”.

The Top-10 Key Achievements are:

1. 6G REFERENCE: Time Modulated Arrays supporting both Receive and Transmit
   Developing smarter, energy-efficient hardware that combines communication and sensing in one system. This innovation supports applications like autonomous systems, smart manufacturing, and AI-driven adaptive networks.

2. SEASON: High-Capacity Point-to-Multipoint (P2MP) Transmission to enable Next-Generation B5G/6G Mobile Transport
   Introducing a new optical network design that cuts costs, boosts efficiency, and improves resilience for future 6G transport. This innovation makes Europe’s networks more sustainable and scalable to meet growing data demands.

3. SUPERIOT: Reconfigurable Multi-Mode IoT System with Scalable Electronic Components for Future Sustainable IoT Sensor Nodes
   Creating battery-free IoT devices powered by light and radio energy, built with recyclable printed electronics. These self-powered sensors enable sustainable connectivity for smart cities, healthcare, and environmental monitoring.

4. 6G-SANDBOX: Experimentation Infrastructure as a Service (EIaaS) Toolkit
   An open, modular software platform that allows anyone (from startups to researchers) to test new 6G ideas remotely, without complex setup or costly equipment. It accelerates innovation and collaboration across Europe’s digital ecosystem.

5. 6G-XR: Multiple Holographic Communications Integrated into the 6G-XR Testbed
   Delivering the first holographic calls over a 6G network, enabling immersive real-time communication without special apps. This achievement opens the door to new services and business models in extended reality (XR).

6. SUNRISE-6G: 6G Federated Portal for Experimentation
   Building the first open, web-based portal that connects 14 European 6G testbeds, allowing unified access and management for developers and researchers. It simplifies cross-border experimentation and promotes an open innovation environment.
7. Imagine-B5G: Real-World Validation of (B)5G Capabilities for Port Operations
   Demonstrating how advanced 5G networks can make port operations safer, faster, and greener through real-time monitoring, drones, and AI-assisted systems. This pilot proves the value of private networks in logistics and transport.
8. TrialsNet: Advanced XR Capabilities over B5G during Live Events @26 GHz
   Showcasing high-speed, low-latency 5G connectivity at live events, enabling real-time crowd safety monitoring and immersive fan experiences. It sets the stage for safer, more engaging, and fully wireless large-scale events.
9. 6G-SHINE: In-X Architecture and Integration into 6G Network (3GPP) Standards
   Establishing a new concept of “in-X subnetworks”, small, autonomous networks inside vehicles, factories, or classrooms. This standardised architecture enhances reliability, safety, and performance for next-generation industrial and mobility applications. This is demonstrated through active participation and contributions to 3GPP SA WG1 (Use case on in-vehicle local communication).

10. HEXA-X-II: Sustainable 6G Use-Case Families & 6G Connectivity for Zero-Energy Devices
    Defining sustainability principles for 6G and pioneering “zero-energy devices” that harvest ambient energy to operate without batteries. These advances support greener digital services and guide 6G standardisation worldwide. Definition (and adoption by 3GPP) of six sustainable 6G use case families demonstrating environmental, social, and economic benefits across sectors. This opens commercial opportunities in smart cities, logistics, XR, industrial automation, and other sectors leveraging sustainable 6G technologies.

Overall, 188 Key Achievements from 63 projects were submitted, demonstrating the breadth and vitality of the SNS ecosystem. The Key Achievements have been grouped into five categories, capturing a distinct dimension of 6G innovation, spanning across significant technology development, to experimentation, vertical solution and trials, impactful standard contributions and sustainability solution. This structured approach ensures that technological innovation is complemented by societal relevance and real-world applicability, which are key pillars of the SNS JU mission.

An Evaluation Committee, comprising experts from the SNS JU community, the SNS JU Office, and the European Commission, thoroughly reviewed each submission based on clear criteria, such as: Level of innovation, technological readiness, contribution to 5G/6G development, and potential market influence. Through this extensive evaluation, the Top-10 Key Achievements of 2025 were selected, representing the innovation of Europe’s efforts to shape the future of connectivity.

TOP-10 KEY ACHIEVEMENTS PER CATEGORY

An online repository is available on the SNS JU website to explore each achievement in detail. By filtering results per category, sub-category or keyword, visitors can learn more about the innovative technologies and solutions and uncover further reference points for additional information. 

Moreover, to engage with the community and provide a more interactive experience, a public webinar will be organised, offering an in-depth presentation of the repository tool and its implications for the future of connectivity. The Webinar will be announced on our Communication Channels shortly.