High-level speakers from the industry (Nokia, Telefonica Group, TIM, Ericsson and 6G Industry Association), academia and the European Commission will explore the multifaceted case for 6G that spans business, technology, and societal domains.
The Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) announces its flagship event at the Mobile World Congress 2024, bringing together diverse stakeholders to explore the future of 6G technology and its potential. The session titled “6G Horizon: Bridging perspectives for a sustainable future” promises to explore the next frontier of wireless communication. The event will take place on Tuesday, 27 February 2024, in Hall 6, at Stage B, from 09:00 to 10:25 am CET.
As the world embarks on the journey into the 6G territory, it's imperative to recognise that this technological leap will not be just about faster downloads or lower latency. Rather, it encompasses a multidimensional landscape. In this session, industry leaders, innovators, policymakers, and researchers will explore the multifaceted case for 6G that spans business, technology, and societal domains.
Henry Tiiri, CTO of Nokia Technologies, Juan Carlos Garcia Lopez, Senior VP Technology Innovation and Ecosystem, Telefonica Group, Marja Matinmikko-Blue, Director of Sustainability and Regulation at 6G Flagship, Research Director, University of Oulu, Paolo Murri, VP Business Development and Open Innovation, TIM, and Marie Hogan, Head of 6G, Business Area Networks, Ericsson will join the session in a panel moderated by Erzsebet Fitori, the SNS JU Executive Director. Together they will explore challenges, solutions, and diverse perspectives on the future of a sustainable 6G landscape.
The opening session will include Pearse O’Donohue, DG CONNECT Director at the European Commission, Colin Willcock, Chairman of the 6G Industry Association (6G IA) Board and Vice-Chair of the SNS JU Governing Board and an inspirational keynote from Mikko A. Uusitalo, Hexa-X-II EU Flagship project coordinator and Head of Research Department, Nokia Bell Labs.
The event will highlight the unique European perspective on 6G, showcasing the region's strong tradition of public-private collaboration in shaping its technological landscape. One of the key focus areas will be the profound impact of 6G on sustainability and cybersecurity. In an increasingly connected and data-driven world, 6G technology holds the potential to revolutionise how we approach environmental conservation and resource optimisation, offering innovative solutions for sustainable development. A ubiquitous, intelligent AI-powered network integrating heterogeneous environments calls equally for a novel 6G security vision.
Pearse O’Donohue, DG CONNECT Director, European Commission and Chair of the SNS JU Governing Board states: "6G is central to Europe’s digital future, including a number of political priorities such as cybersecurity and sustainability. The SNS JU, a public-private collaboration, is one of the main instruments for Europe to achieve its goals in advanced connectivity and AI-driven computing at the edge of the networks".
"This session serves as a crucial platform to foster understanding and harmonise diverse perspectives on 6G," says Erzsebet Fitori, the SNS JU Executive Director. "Through collaboration, we can unlock the full potential of 6G to create a sustainable future."
Colin Willcock, 6G IA Chairman and Vice-Chair of the SNS JU Governing Board says: "The SNS-JU is driving 6G research in Europe. This session will give a unique insight into some of the key results from this program and beyond that, provide a glimpse into the future world we will all be living in."
The 6G Horizon session is more than just a gathering of experts; it's an opportunity to shape the future of communication technology. Participants are invited to engage, collaborate, and envision a world powered by 6G, where the boundaries of what is possible are redefined.
The event will also announce details for the SNS JU third Call for proposals, open now and earmarking a substantial €129 million in public funding for collaborative projects to advance 6G systems in Europe.
The participation of 25 SNS JU projects at the Mobile World Congress 2024 showcases cutting-edge developments in 6G technology.
About SNS JU
The European Smart Networks and Services JU (SNS JU) is a Joint Undertaking established in 2021 by the European Union Council Regulation No 2021/2085. This EU Partnership is jointly led by the EU Commission and the 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA). The mix of public and industry interest makes the Smart Network and Services Joint Undertaking the right platform for collaboration and the right instrument to foster world-class research and innovation on next-generation networks and services. The SNS JU fosters alignment and synergies with Member States on 6G Research and Innovation Programmes and favours international cooperation towards setting a 6G global standard. For more information about the SNS JU, please visit https://smart-networks.europa.eu.
