NEWS

General Information

The Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) is part of the broader framework of Horizon Europe and aims to advance Europe's leadership in 5G and 6G networks, fostering a robust ecosystem that includes research, innovation, and deployment efforts.

About the 6G-IA

The 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA) is the voice of European Industry and Research for next generation networks and services. Its primary objective is to contribute to Europe’s leadership on 5G, 5G evolution and SNS/6G research.

The 6G-IA represents the private side in both the 5G Public Private Partnership (5G-PPP) and the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU). In the 5G-PPP and SNS JU, the European Commission represents the public side.

The 6G-IA brings together a global industry community of telecoms & digital actors, such as operators, manufacturers, research institutes, universities, verticals, SMEs and ICT associations.

The 6G-IA carries out a wide range of activities in strategic areas including standardization, frequency spectrum, R&D projects, technology skills, collaboration with key vertical industry sectors, notably for the development of trials, and international cooperation.

Full Membership Application

Observer membership Application

Key Points:

  1. Strategic Objectives:
    • Accelerate the development of 5G and pave the way for 6G technologies.
    • Ensure European technological sovereignty in next-generation communication networks.
    • Boost innovation to create new opportunities for European businesses in sectors such as smart cities, autonomous driving, industrial automation, and healthcare.
  2. Research and Innovation:
    • SNS JU supports R&D projects that are essential to the future of network infrastructure and services.
    • Emphasis is placed on energy efficiency, security, sustainability, and scalability.
    • Collaboration between industries, academic institutions, and other stakeholders is encouraged to accelerate innovation cycles.
  3. Partnership Model:
    • The initiative is built on public-private partnerships, with cooperation between the European Commission, industry players, and research organizations.
    • These partnerships aim to bridge the gap between research and commercialization, ensuring that advancements in 6G technologies lead to real-world applications and services.
  4. Funding and Projects:
    • Horizon Europe funds various SNS JU projects, focusing on diverse technological pillars like AI integration, network automation, cloud-native technologies, and edge computing.
    • The projects also address societal challenges such as sustainability, digital inclusion, and cybersecurity.
  5. Future Goals for 6G:
    • Establish a foundation for future 6G networks that will offer ultra-high speeds, low latency, massive connectivity, and unprecedented reliability.
    • Push the boundaries of existing communication technologies, integrating advanced AI, machine learning, and quantum technologies into network management and services.

This initiative is expected to play a crucial role in defining Europe's position in the global race towards 6G, making it a significant player in the tech world while addressing key challenges like energy consumption and data security.

Budget

The EU Commission has granted an amount of 900 million Euros, and it is thought that a minimum of 1.8 billion Euros will be provided by the private sector. Expectations are in the favour that this grant will create a leverage effect in the following proce

Related Cluster

The SNS partnership is a part of Cluster 4. Research & innovation – European Partnership for smart networks and services (europa.eu)