The European Union (EU) has announced a €250 million investment in 6G research under Horizon Europe portfolio, with the aim of building a first-class European supply chain for advanced 5G systems and building Europe’s 6G technology capacities. A total of 35 Research and Innovation (R&I) projects have been selected as part of this investment, and Zentrix Lab doo will be taking part as a member of the consortium on the project named CONFIDENTIAL6G. The project is set to begin in January 2023, and it will focus on developing tools, libraries, mechanisms, and architectural blueprints for confidentiality in 6G networks. This will include the development of cryptographic enablers, platforms, and applications to improve the security and privacy of compute and communication processes. The project will also focus on the development of quantum-resistant protocols and formal security proofs to support the design of future 6G systems. The goal of this project is to ensure the confidentiality and security of 6G networks and applications.
With the rapid advancement of 5G technology, it’s only natural to start thinking about the next generation of wireless networks: 6G. The potential applications of 6G technology are nearly limitless, from enhanced virtual and augmented reality experiences to the development of smart cities and the internet of things. It’s no wonder that so many companies and organizations are investing in 6G research. As we stand on the brink of a new era of wireless communication, it’s important to understand the potential of 6G technology and how it will shape our connected world.
Zentrix role in the project
Zentrix is excited to be part of this ambitious initiative, which will help reinforce Europe’s leadership in next generation network technologies and connected devices and services. Our company develops federated learning infrastructure with a client/ server infrastructure for collaborative machine learning.
This is an approach we have in two funded confidential computing projects HARPOCRATES (Healthcare and government use cases) and CONFIDENTIAL6G (dedicated 6G automotive use case with Telefonica).
The project aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as it will contribute to the development of sustainable, resilient, and climate-neutral network infrastructures and services. We look forward to working with the other project participants and making significant progress in the field of 6G technology.
Overview of the project portfolio
- Stream A: The seven projects in this stream will focus on developing 6G networks through an evolutionary path, by building on advanced 5G technology. Research topics will include energy efficient radio networks, adaptive Open RAN, integrated 5G-Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), AI-based edge platforms, and intelligent resource management.
- Stream B: The nineteen projects in this stream will focus on novel technologies that are expected to be adopted in commercial networks in the mid- to long-term. Research topics will include novel 6G system architectures, advanced wireless and optical communication technologies, advances in Non-Terrestrial Networks, and the development of ultra-reliable, low-latency communications (URLLC) applications.
- Stream C: The three projects in this stream will aim to develop EU-wide experimentation platforms that can incorporate promising technical 6G enablers for further validation. Key aspects of the projects will include the reusability and ability to evolve of the experimental platforms over the lifetime of the SNS program.
- Stream D: The four projects in this stream will implement large-scale trials and pilots with specific verticals of high economic and societal importance, such as energy, construction, automotive, manufacturing, eHealth, culture, and media. These trials will explore and demonstrate 5G/6G technologies, advanced applications, and services, and will aim to become the catalyst for the creation of viable business ecosystems.
The project portfolio also includes two Coordination and Support Actions (SNS OPS & SNS ICE), which will focus on internal operational aspects of the SNS Partnership, as well as establishing dialogues with other EU initiatives and promoting SNS results and achievements at a global level.
Background
The European Union (EU) has established the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) as a legal and funding entity for 6G research and development. The SNS JU is jointly led by the European Commission and the 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA), which brings together a global community of telecoms and digital actors, including operators, manufacturers, research institutes, universities, and SMEs. The SNS JU has an EU budget of €900 million for the period 2021-2027, and the private sector will contribute an equal amount to the SNS JU’s activities.
The main missions of the SNS JU are to foster Europe’s technology sovereignty in 6G and to boost 5G deployment in Europe. The States Representatives Group (SRG) provides guidance on all strategic matters and relevant activities of the SNS JU.
In conclusion, the European Union’s investment in 6G research is a significant step towards building a first-class European supply chain for advanced 5G systems and developing Europe’s 6G technology capacities. The 35 Research and Innovation (R&I) projects that have been selected as part of this investment will focus on developing smart communication components, systems, and networks for 6G technology. These projects have the potential to transform our connected world, from enhancing virtual and augmented reality experiences to developing smart cities and the internet of things.
As we move towards the next generation of wireless communication, it’s important to continue investing in 6G research and development to ensure Europe’s technology sovereignty and support the digital and green transition of the economy and society.
