The European Flagship program Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) announced it will allocate €128 million in EU funding for 2025. SNS JU’s work focusses on advancing Europe’s leadership in Beyond 5G and 6G technologies and the future of connectivity.
The funding news was released along with the publication of the initiative’s Work Programme for the upcoming year.
The programme will support research and innovation activities through three complementary streams:
- Stream B: Advanced research for revolutionary and evolutionary technology advancements, including Topics on 6G Disruptive Technologies.
- Stream C: Development of a 6G Telco Cloud and service platform experimental infrastructures
- Stream D: Large-scale trials and pilots with vertical sectors with a focus on Industry/Manufacturing, Media, Automotive, Transportation/Logistics, Emergency and Safety Services, and Health.
“This Work Programme represents a crucial step in Europe’s journey towards 6G leadership,” said Erzsébet Fitori, Executive Director of the SNS JU, in a press release.
“By bringing together industry, academia, and research institutions, we’re not just developing technology – we’re building Europe’s digital future with a focus on sustainability, security, and societal impact,” she added.
Eyeing Concrete Solutions
The SNS programme will form the basis of the SNS JU’s fourth call for proposals, with the opening date to be announced in the future. According to the initiative, an Information Day will take place in the first quarter of 2025.
Among the topics that SNS JU shared, there will be a reinforced focus on technological topics targeting medium to higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) while also exploring 6G disruptive technologies and long-term R&I starting at low TR.
The initiative said that integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, photonics systems, and optical networks into the 6G architecture will also be a priority in 2025.
Another area in which SNS JU seeks practical progress is sustainability. “Europe is leading the development of Key Value Indicators (KVIs) to measure the sustainability of 6G technology and present how 6G can contribute to a more sustainable Europe,” the initiative said to the media.
“By qualifying and quantifying KVIs, Europe can design and develop networks and services that align with sustainability goals, provide value to industry and benefits to the society and the environment,” it wrote.
6G Standardisation Efforts
With the race for 6G leadership heating up, SNS JU plans to make standardisation influence a key goal for 2025.
“3GPP is accelerating the development of 6G standards, with a study work phase starting in 2025. This marks a significant step towards shaping the future of wireless communication technology by developing strong capabilities towards the valorisation of SNS results in relevant 6G standardisation bodies,” it concluded.
