January 20, 2023

Digital for Planet is excited to announce the launch of 6G-NTN, a European research and innovation project that will bring together for the first time researchers, mobile and satellite innovators with the goal of addressing the sustainability and user needs of future telecommunication networks.

Growing digitisation and technological progress are transforming how the industry develops and delivers new products and services, as well as how we live, work, and learn. To ensure that this transformation benefits everyone while preserving our planet’s resources, researchers and industry players must work together to realise the full potential of future 6G wireless communications and service infrastructure.

The 6G-NTN project, one of the first winners of Horizon Europe’s European Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) funding, kicked off in January 2023 to address this mission. The project brings together for the first time fifteen partners from Europe’s mobile communication, satellite and academia with the goal to research and develop novel requirements for the full and seamless integration of the Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) component in future 6G terrestrial telecommunications networks. This will be critical in extending the coverage, resilience, and sustainability of next-generation mobile networks, as well as better meeting the needs and expectations of both vertical markets and end-users. 

WHO IS ON BOARD

Digital for Planet completes a consortium that gathers top industry, SMEs as well as leading universities and research centres in the 5G/6G research and innovation scene, such as the University of Bologna (project coordinator), Thales Alenia Space (France and UK), Thales DIS AIS, Thales SIX GTS, Ericsson (France and Sweden), Orange, SES Techom, Qualcomm Communications, Greenerwave, Martel Innovate, the Centre Tecnologic De Telecomunicacions de Catalun (CTTC), and the German Space Agency (DLR). 

“Digital for Planet is thrilled to be in the 6G-NTN project and to work with such outstanding partners to advance  Europe’s green and digital transformation. We believe that 6G-NTN is critical to realising the full potential of future telecommunication networks, putting sustainability at the centre of Europe’s 5G and 6G research.”, said Dr Monique Calisiti, Founder and President of Digital for Planet. 

Leveraging the expertise of the Zero-Pollution Communication Networks Working Group, the Digital for Planet team will bring the sustainability perspective to several working packages of the project, including supporting the overall impact creation and outreach activities. 

If you are interested in advancing the sustainability of future telecommunication networks, join Digital for Planet’s Working Group. More information about 6G-NTN is available on the project’s website.