Consortium Future Network Services wil grotere rol voor Nederland in ontwikkeling 6G

Branche

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK) and the Top Sector ICT support the Growth Fund proposal from TNO and partners for the realization of the Future Networks Services (FNS) program. The Growth Fund proposal will be submitted in the third application round of the National Growth Fund, which will close in early 2023.

Companies and knowledge institutions from the sector are called on to join the proposal as soon as possible. Dozens of telecom companies, technical universities and knowledge institutions have now joined.

Future Network Services

Digital infrastructure is vital for the Netherlands. It is therefore necessary that future communication networks are even faster, reliable, available and secure. To achieve this, far-reaching cooperation is required between public and private parties, focused on research and development of the next generation of communication networks, in particular 6G.

6G offers opportunities for the Netherlands

Mobile networks are a driving force behind the rapid digitalization of our society and contribute to the growth of our earning capacity. Although the rollout of 5G in the Netherlands is still in full swing, developments in the field of 6G (the next generation of mobile that will be launched on the market in 2030) are now in full swing.

6G will offer a number of new possibilities compared to 5G. In addition to greater capacity and speed, sustainability and reliability are central. Furthermore, 6G with sensors will also contribute to smart mobility.

However, the potential of 6G can only come to fruition through innovative network technology and 'smart' semiconductors in combination with photonics (data exchange via optical signals). These innovations are not only necessary for better network performance and numerous new application possibilities, but also play an essential role in the practical realization of digital sovereignty.

Given the high-quality knowledge and industrial experience in the field of network innovation, semiconductors and mobile applications, there are countless opportunities for the Netherlands to capitalize on the opportunities for the development and use of 6G.

Consortium program

The proposal includes four program lines in the period 2023-2028:

Intelligent components: Development of new generation intelligent components and semiconductors for 6G antenna technology and optical wireless systems.

Intelligent networks: Development of software and algorithms for the intelligent orchestration of programmable 6G networks.

Leading applications: Deployment of new mobile network technology in leading applications in, among others, smart grids (energy sector), autonomous vehicles (road and rail transport), industrial robots (production and logistics). More application domains will be investigated during the project.

Ecosystem Strengthening: Strengthening the innovation ecosystem through national testbed infrastructure, international cooperation, stimulating start-ups and scale-ups and developing talent through a specific Human Capital agenda.

Intended impact of the program

The program pursues the following objectives:

Dutch international top position in development, intellectual property and production of intelligent 6G antenna technology and optical components.

A prominent role for the Netherlands in new algorithms, methodologies and software modules that orchestrate intelligent 6G networks.

6G is designed and internationally standardized in such a way that the next generation of networks meets social requirements regarding reliability, smart mobility, digital sovereignty and sustainability.

Large companies and SMEs are primed to benefit from the new possibilities of 6G networks, and start-ups and scale-ups are driving new economic activity.

With these goals, the Netherlands also contributes to the European 6G program and the European 6G supply chain, through the participation of FNS partners in the European Smart Networks and Services (SNS) program. Conversely, the European scale and input of FNS innovations into global 3GPP standardization ensures the intended earning power and impact through applications.

Participants and contribution

TNO leads the FNS growth fund initiative and is the driving force behind the “leading applications” program line. The core team also consists of: TU/e (leader “intelligent components”) and TU Delft (leader “intelligent networks” and leader “strengthening ecosystem”). The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy is involved because of its public values and interfaces with government policy. The work will concentrate in the network technology hubs around Eindhoven, Delft-The Hague and Groningen.

About 30 large and small parties have now joined and are contributing to the further elaboration of investment proposals in specific technology, application or ecosystem development.

Major parties include NXP and Ampleon (semiconductor solutions 6G), SURF (testbed infrastructure), Ericsson and Nokia and Cisco (intelligent components and networks), KPN and T-Mobile (networks and applications), TenneT TSO and Alliander (smart grid application). ) and Vialis (wireless detection). Smaller parties include LioniX International, Aircision and MCS.

Follow-up

In the coming months, the growth fund proposal will be further developed in consultation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, the ICT top sector and the participating parties, after which it will be submitted to the National Growth Fund in January 2023.

Between February and June 2023, the proposals will be assessed by the advisory committee, which will issue a recommendation at the end of June on the basis of which the cabinet will make a decision.

It is expected that the final decision regarding the allocation of the growth fund applications will be announced in early Q3 2023.

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