The Hexa-X-II project, the second stage of the European 6G flagship program, will be led by Nokia. 44 companies will be added to the Hexa-X partner list as a result of this new phase. The job assigned to these groups is to provide the pre-standardized platform and system perspective that will serve as the foundation for various contributions to future 6G standardization.
The European Commission has given financing to the Hexa-X-II project as part of the initial round of the Joint Undertaking for Smart Network and Services (SNS-JU). The next crucial step in bringing together important industrial players in Europe would be this. Establishing Europe as a 6G leader is the aim of Hexa-X and Hexa-X-II.
The whole value chain for future connectivity solutions would be represented by Hexa-X-II. Its members include the most renowned European communications research institutes as well as network suppliers, industries, and communication service providers.
“Nokia is honored to lead in this pioneering project. In the 6G era, the digital, physical and human worlds will become far more integrated,” said Peter Vetter, President of Nokia’s Bell Labs Core Research. “Our goals must reflect this level of integration and inter-dependency. As billions more people and devices get connected, urbanization intensifies, and we strive to manage the limitations on energy and materials, the role of networks and 6G will only deepen. It is essential that we keep the larger context in mind as we imagine the new network.”
The Hexa-X-II project aims to start work on 1 January 2023, with a planned duration of two and a half years.
Ericsson , Orange, Atos
Enabled by the outcomes of Hexa-X innovations, the Hexa-X-II consortium would strive to overcome the following societal challenges:
- Sustainability – Hexa-X-II will study innovations that reduce energy and material consumption and help achieve carbon neutrality
- Inclusion – Hexa-X-II intends to offer connection to both the underprivileged citizens of developed civilizations and those living in developing nations
- Trustworthiness – Hexa-X-II would provide network stability, data security, and privacy
Ericsson assumes responsibility for Hexa-X-technical II’s management as part of the announcement. A number of work packages, including those on radio evolution and innovation, future devices and flexible infrastructure, smart network management and values, needs and ecosystem, will be coordinated with assistance from Orange, TIM SpA, TU Dresden, University of Oulu, IMEC, and Atos.
Many of the basic technological advances that are being utilized to create 5G standards were invented by Nokia and Nokia Bell Labs, the company’s industrial research division. Furthermore, Nokia has already begun laying the groundwork for 5G-Advanced in 3GPP Releases 18 and 19, which would expand 5G’s capabilities and open up new business verticals. These new features come with XR, very precise location, better coverage, and AI/ML for 5G-RAN. Many of these technological advancements would aid in the transition from 5G to 6G.
Nokia is also the project leader of 6G-ANNA, the German 6G lighthouse project, in addition to Hexa-X-II and Hexa-X. Additionally, it would be crucial in creating the joint venture for the Horizon Europe Smart Network and Services.
