The digital networking of the future is taking shape. With the recently published version 2.0 of the white paper “European Vision for the 6G Network Ecosystem“, the 6G Infrastructure Association (6G-IA) presents a groundbreaking strategy for the development of a European 6G ecosystem by 2030. As one of the key players alongside the European Commission (COM) and the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU), the 6G-IA is actively shaping the development of new standards and technologies for next-generation mobile infrastructure.
The white paper describes the path to a powerful and sustainable 6G technology that goes far beyond the possibilities of current 5G networks. It looks at technological innovations as well as economic and social framework conditions and thus places a clear focus on a future-proof digital infrastructure.
Europe’s role in global 6G development
While the next generation of mobile communications is being researched worldwide, Europe is positioning itself with its own initiatives. A central building block is the Hexa-X-II project funded by Horizon Europe, which aims to establish Europe as a pioneer in the development of secure and sustainable 6G networks. The focus here is on the close integration of technology, energy efficiency, AI integration and global connectivity in order to create an infrastructure that is powerful, environmentally friendly and compliant with data protection regulations.
Innovative use cases and performance targets
The white paper shows practical application areas in which 6G will set new standards. These include immersive technologies such as virtual and augmented reality, which will be revolutionized by extremely low latency times and high data rates. Digital twins are becoming increasingly precise and enable real-time simulations for industrial and urban applications. Another forward-looking field is collaborative robotics, which enables networked collaboration between machines, sensors and people in real time.
To support these applications, the white paper defines clear performance indicators, including higher data rates, lower latency and improved network stability. The migration from 5G to 6G and the efficient use of the available spectrum are also key challenges.
Next steps on the road to 6G
By 2025, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) plans to define the first global standards for 6G, which will serve as the basis for future developments. At the same time, the EU is working on harmonized regulatory frameworks that define interoperability and security requirements for the use of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Economic aspects also play a key role, as new investment and business models are needed to establish the future infrastructure sustainably in all areas of society and the economy.
Spectrum policy remains a decisive factor, as the identification and allocation of new spectrum areas is crucial for the implementation of 6G. The 6G-IA actively supports this process and ensures that European interests are taken into account in international standardization and regulatory processes.
With the publication of version 2.0 of the white paper, the 6G-IA lays a solid foundation for the further development of the new 6G mobile communications standard and shows how Europe can take a leading role in the global 6G competition.
You can find the complete publication here: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/6g