Shaping the future of 6G: Insights from the 2023 EuCNC & 6G Summit

On 6-9 June, the European community engaged in wireless communications and networking technologies, gathered in Gothenburg, Sweden for the EuCNC & 6G Summit 2023, with Martel taking an active role in the event.

The event brought together over 800 researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers to discuss the latest advancements, challenges, and future directions in wireless communications and networking technologies.

The key focus area of the conference was 6G – the next evolution of wireless communication networks. Experts from academia and industry, including a strong representation from Martel, presented their research and insights into the potential of 6G and demonstrated the practical applications of these technologies in several vertical domains, showcasing Europe’s prominent position in mobile communications research through the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU).

The EuCNC conference served as a rich source of knowledge and dialogue, leading to several significant conclusions. Here are a few of the EuCNC & 6G Summit 2023 Insights:

• Future 6G technologies should align with European values of being human-centric, sustainable, and safe, as highlighted by Pearse O’Donohue, Director, Future Networks at the European Commission’s DG CONNECT & Conference General Co-Chair.
• The future of telecommunications will be shaped by several factors, including the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques into communication systems, the role of edge computing in supporting latency-sensitive applications.
• The significance of standardisation was emphasised by Colin Willcock, Chairman of the Board 6G-IA, who stressed the importance of leveraging the results of 6G SNS projects into standardisation from the onset, as this is a core part of the 6G SNS mission.
• Sustainability and gender equality were underscored as key considerations for the future of 6G networks. Chiara Mazzone, Programme Officer at SNS JU, highlighted the importance of sustainable practices in network design and deployment. This is an important aspect also for Martel’s non profit initiative Digital For Planet (D4P). Attending EuCNC 2023 was crucial for D4P as it provided an opportunity to meet and engage with the EU mobile communication research community in action, ensuring that sustainability is at the core of future 6G networks and telecommunication technologies.
• The strategic role of European collaboration in maximising public investment efficiency and aligning 5G deployment with 6G research efforts, as highlighted by SNS JU’s Programme Officer Pavlos Fournogerakis.

Martel Innovate: contributing to the 6G era

Martel’s active involvement in the discussions at EuCNC, underpinned by our ongoing research and innovation projects in 5G and 6G, demonstrate our commitment to shaping the future of wireless communications.

“We are entering the 6G era, integrating AI, edge, and cloud technologies into a computing continuum more seamlessly than ever before. AI sits at the heart of this transformation, intelligently conducting this digital orchestra. The focus has shifted beyond just achieving faster data rates – it’s now about enabling a more adaptive, holistic, and sustainable communication ecosystem.”, said Massimo Neri, Chief Technology Officer of Martel, related to the EuCNC & 6G Summit 2023 Insights.

Furthermore, the 5GBlueprint booth at EuCNC garnered considerable interest, as it showcased a captivating live demonstration of teleoperation and autodocking processes—a testament to the project’s ongoing success and cutting-edge innovation. The 5GBlueprint booth was honoured by the presence of Pearse O’Donohue, Director of Future Networks at the European Commission’s DG CONNECT. Mr. O’Donohue’s visit, during which he tested the platform, underscored the innovative advancements of the project.

Pearse O’Donohue, Director of Future Networks at the European Commission’s DG CONNECT at the 5G Blueprint booth

Overall, EuCNC and 6G Summit 2023 served as a platform for the exploration of 6G technologies, fostering collaboration and sharing groundbreaking research.