EuCNC & 6G Summit Points the Way: Europe’s Connected Future Is Taking Shape 

Poznan, Poland, recently hosted the EuCNC & 6G Summit, a significant event for specialists planning the next generation of mobile connectivity. Leading experts gathered to discuss the path to 6G, the vital need for network strength, and the spirit of cooperation across European research. Insights from the University of Oulu‘s 6G Flagship played a key part in these discussions.

The summit commenced with opening remarks from local organisers, including Professors Hanna Bogucka and Paweł Kryszkiewicz of Poznan University of Technology. European Commission representatives Miguel González-Sancho and Thibaut Kleiner, along with Erzsébet Fitori, Executive Director of the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU), also delivered welcome addresses, emphasising Europe’s commitment to advancing connectivity.

A united European research and innovation effort is essential for both technical progress and broader policy goals.

Europe’s Joint Effort on 6G

European countries are working to create a single vision for 6G. They aim to lead the global shift in advanced connectivity. The SNS JU guides this effort. It funds cutting-edge research, participates in global standards setting, and helps manage strategic network rollouts. It works to build digital independence within the EU and economic growth through partnerships with international groups and national programmes.

SNS JU’s core mission is to ensure Europe’s industrial leadership in the development, deployment, and adoption of advanced network technologies, specifically focusing on 5G and future 6G networks and services.

“To bring to life this 6G ecosystem, a tremendous level of collaboration will be required,” said Professor Ari Pouttu from Finland’s 6G Flagship. He underlined the importance of this cooperation by adding that “A united European research and innovation effort is essential for both technical progress and broader policy goals.” The EU Single Basic Act (SBA) confirms the focus on teamwork to help make public investments in 6G more effective.

The EU Single Basic Act (SBA) is a legislative regulation that serves as an "umbrella regulation" for establishing and governing multiple Joint Undertakings (JUs) under the Horizon Europe Research & Innovation Framework Programme. Its main purpose is to streamline, harmonise, and facilitate the launch and operation of these public-private partnerships, which bring together the European Commission, EU member states, and industry or research partners to address key challenges through coordinated research and innovation initiatives

The SNS-ICE project, a support effort from the SNS JU, has made significant strides in aligning European research. It has mapped large 6G initiatives, run workshops, and, in May 2024, submitted a joint European proposal for 6G use cases to the 3GPP-SA1 meeting. These actions, Tambiana Madiega, a Project Officer with the SNS JU and liaison to the State Representative Group, emphasised, prove “very effective to maximise the standardisation impacts of SNS JU activity, which is a key to the success of our programme”.

SNS-ICE (Smart Networks and Services – International Collaboration Environment) is a Coordination and Support Action (CSA) under the European Union's Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU). Its primary goal is to create a collaborative environment for European and global stakeholders involved in preparing 6G smart networks and services.

The SNS JU plans to work even more closely with national programmes. Its 2025 call for projects specifically asks applicants to build on results from national initiatives, including platforms developed by national projects. This will create a stronger network of innovation across Europe.

Building Europe’s Strengths

Many European nations shared details about their 6G plans at the EuCNC & 6G Summit. While their approaches varied, the goals were shared.

Germany’s 6G Platform, launched in 2021 with 700 million Euros, brings together research hubs and industry projects. Professor Hans Schotten, coordinating the German programme, emphasised its openness. He stated that experimental facilities are available to companies and new businesses. The German programme covers many technical areas, from joint communication and sensing to AI integration.

Ireland’s Connect Research Centre, its main 6G hub, involves over 250 researchers and partners with numerous businesses. Professor Dan Kilper detailed their work on reliable networks, sustainable IoT, and open network solutions. The centre uses four major research infrastructures, including network testbeds and edge cloud environments, for practical application.

France, as part of its France 2030 plan, uses both government-led and bottom-up project calls. It focuses on developing 5G and 6G solutions and training new talent. 

Finland’s 6G Flagship, housed and financed together by the University of Oulu and the Research Council of Finland, began in 2018 as the world’s first 6G programme. This 300 million Euro project has four main research areas. Professor Pouttu drew attention to the programme’s influential white papers, which have garnered over a million downloads and, as he put it, “set the stage for 6G research globally.” Building on the 6G Flagship’s work, the 6G Test Centre is now providing testing services for the NATO DIANA programme, as well as national, EU-wide, and global businesses. 

The Netherlands’ 6G programme, a six-year public-private effort, aims to create economic value for Dutch businesses in radio access and satellite communication. Sweden’s large digitalisation programme promotes openness and collaboration across its diverse projects. The UK’s Open Networks Programme works on open networks and building its own technology, supporting UK innovation through linked telecom hubs.

6G Strength: A Key Element for Future Systems

Because societies rely heavily on mobile networks, network strength has become extremely important. Professor Matti Latva-aho, Director of the 6G Flagship until the end of June 2025, stated unequivocally that “Resilience is far more important than increasing capacity.” His words opened a critical dialogue on preserving essential future connections.

David Lund, President of Public Safety Communication Europe, discussed the European Critical Communication System’s 2030 objective for reliable mobile communications for responders. He mentioned recent power cuts in Portugal and Spain, where vital networks were cut off. Strong backup systems and overall network strength are essential, and not just at single locations.

Mikko Uusitalo, Head of Research at Nokia Bell Labs Finland, represented the Hexa-X-II project, confirming that strength and dependability are core design rules. Hexa-X-II has created over a hundred features for 6G, with a focus on self-repairing systems and automated responses powered by AI, creating a unified way to improve security, privacy, and network strength.

Professor Akihiro Nakao from XGMF and the University of Tokyo shared a sharp view from Japan, a country often hit by natural disasters. He spoke about the Noto earthquake in 2024, where communication failures led to deaths. “Resilient connectivity is part of our national emergency priorities now,” Nakao stressed. He supports adding non-terrestrial networks (NTN) to maintain service when ground networks fail. He also pointed to AI’s role in preventing human errors, which can cause large network shutdowns.

Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) refer to communication networks that use spaceborne and airborne platforms—such as satellites and high-altitude platform systems (HAPS)—to provide connectivity beyond the reach of traditional ground-based (terrestrial) infrastructure. NTNs are a key technology area for extending coverage, enhancing resilience, and supporting new use cases as we move toward Beyond 5G and 6G networks

Research Director Hannu Nikurautio, from the University of Oulu’s 6G Test Centre, described 6G as reshaping communication to support society’s core functions. Nikurautio emphasised that “Resilience is not something optional anymore but something we need to take into account from day one.” The 6G Test Centre focuses on testing strong network designs, especially for systems used in extreme conditions or for both civilian and defence purposes.

Professor Tommy Svensson from Chalmers University of Technology works on networks that understand their surroundings. His research uses various sensors and flexible network parts to build strength against different threats, including natural disasters and cyberattacks.

Policy, Business, and Research

The summit also explored how standards, regulations, and business needs affect network strength. While public safety is a societal need, it offers opportunities for commercial companies. Professor Matti Latva-aho pointed to Finland’s model, where commercial operators now manage public safety services, presenting a novel business dynamic. Professor Nakao suggested a new way to generate revenue: offering highly reliable, more expensive subscription plans, like premium services. This could encourage operators to invest more. Nakao believes regulations can create new business opportunities by requiring higher standards for certain services.

Europe’s future success in 6G hinges on taking a leading role in major, pioneering 6G rollouts across the continent and in standardisation.

Discussions also touched on a conflict between sustainability and network strength. Building stronger, more resilient networks might initially consume more energy. Yet, the environmental problems from future network failures could be far more severe. Solutions include using renewable energy and designing networks to operate independently from the main power grid during emergencies.

The continued need for investment in fundamental research alongside practical development and deployment remained a strong theme. Marcin Ratkiewicz, Director of Orange Innovation Poland, explained that lower telecom revenues mean more public funding is needed through public-private partnerships. He pointed out that many 6G technologies have “dual use” capabilities, serving both commercial and critical needs, which is a big opportunity for Europe.

Looking forward, Matti Latva-aho announced a key initiative: the 6G Flagship is writing a 6G Resilience White Paper, inviting contributions from experts worldwide. This paper aims to raise awareness about the vital importance of network strength across the technical community. Its findings will be released at a special 6G resilience event in Oulu, Finland, in late November.

Latva-aho also cast a vision for Europe’s future success in 6G. “Europe’s future success in 6G hinges on taking a leading role in major, pioneering 6G rollouts across the continent and in standardisation. Beyond that, the real goal is to integrate technical progress with policy and legislation, delivering innovation that directly enhances citizens’ everyday lives,” Latva-aho emphasised.

The summit concluded, defining Europe’s intent to hold a leading position in the 6G era. This ambition extends beyond just implementing large-scale deployments or guiding international standards. It calls for the exacting task of integrating core European principles directly into the very design of emerging technology. The objective, then, is not just technological advancement, but the undeniable promise that 6G will actually spur invention, improve human existence, and forge a robust and lasting future. The magnitude of this undertaking was keenly felt.