Vision of Future Communications Summit in Lisbon. A reflection on the advancements towards 6G

Massimo Neri, Martel’s CTO, attended the Vision of Future Communications Summit held in Lisbon. Organised by Networld Europe with the support of 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA), the SNS-OPS project, the European Commission and the IEEE, the event brought together industry leaders, researchers and international experts who discussed key research areas in information and communication technologies.

The Summit held significant importance for Martel. As a member of Networld Europe and 6G-IA – as well as being a key player in the SNS-OPS Horizon Europe project – we engaged in productive discussions with the partners and customers we work with.

The main topics centred around cutting-edge developments in the 6G communications landscape with a focus on translating the challenges and lessons learned from 5G PPP, a programme of which Martel has been an active player.

It was also an opportunity to synchronise Martel’s Research and Innovation agenda with significant ongoing initiatives in Europe and beyond. It reaffirmed that our contributions to various Horizon Europe initiatives, especially the seven ongoing SNS projects, align closely with the vision of empowering a green and sustainable digital transformation in our society.

A few highlights from the two-day event:

• Artificial Intelligence is integrated into every level of the communication stack, ranging from the foundational layers for orchestration and protection to the upper application layers where generative AI is anticipated to automate tasks and enhance user experiences in innovative ways. Through the HORSE project, Martel is exploring AI technologies to facilitate the secure operation of 6G infrastructure for smart connectivity and service management. This research occurs at the convergence of 6G connectivity, computing infrastructure management, and security.
• Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) and Satellite communications are becoming widely recognised and adopted to improve the ubiquitousness and accessibility of network services and to enrich the network architecture with a 3D component. As Martel, we are actively participating in the technical activities of the 6G-NTN project, whose primary goal is to fully integrate the NTN component into 6G.
• Mixed Reality is becoming a horizontal domain that facilitates connected hybrid experiences, seamlessly blending real and virtual realities with high realism. The combined role of generative AI is expected to become more and more relevant to creating artificial elements and spaces. As Martel, we are working collaboratively to ensure the success of this domain in the ongoing 6G-XR project.

Acknowledging 5G’s shortcomings, telecom operators and the broader industry are now cautious and willing to test the ground before committing to large investments for network renewal. As such, the consensus is that 6G should build on existing technologies, enabling and empowering new applications while avoiding disruptions in the current infrastructure, blending seamlessly on existing systems and devices.

In this framework, the role of EU-funded projects is fundamental to help operators and manufacturers align during the pre-standardisation phase, facilitating the subsequent standardisation phase and thus avoiding excessive technology fragmentation.

Looking ahead, we are about to kick off the new European-funded 6G4Society CSA project, which Martel leads as Coordinator in collaboration with Digital for Planet, our not-for-profit initiative. Our emphasis will be on integrating technological and digital innovation with sustainability. We believe that the evolution of communication technologies should not only enhance global connectivity but also promote a more inclusive, sustainable, and people-centric world.

As we continue networking and connecting with crucial stakeholders, conducting research, and engaging in innovation activities in the field, we are excited about our strategic positioning and our potential to make a positive contribution through the upcoming 2024 SNS-JU calls.

Martel is fully committed to joining forces with other major players in this initiative, ensuring our efforts positively influence both the present and the future of our society.