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<blockquote>'''AI Acknowledgement'''

The content has been provided by the Project Partner BDVA. The content has been summarised using AI technologies, and validated by a human author.</blockquote>

== '''Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking SRIA (2nd edition, 2023)''' ==
The [https://smart-networks.europa.eu/ Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking] [[SRIA]] establishes Europe’s path toward 6G networks as the foundation for future immersive, intelligent, and sustainable digital ecosystems. It orchestrates R&I across revolutionary technologies, experimental infrastructures, and vertical pilots (Streams B–D), combining policy and industrial drivers. By integrating connectivity, edge computing, AI, photonics, and trust frameworks, it directly supports the [https://commission.europa.eu/ European Commission]’s ''Web 4.0'' building blocks.

For '''OPENVERSE''', SNS provides the '''connectivity and orchestration pillar''' of virtual worlds. Its Streams map cleanly to the [https://commission.europa.eu/ European Commission]’s technical building blocks, offering multiple interfaces for OPENVERSE to operate as an ecosystem glue — aligning standards, ensuring interoperability, and promoting responsible, energy-efficient immersive services.

=== '''Basic Identification''' ===
'''Initiative / Partnership Name:''' [https://smart-networks.europa.eu/ Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking] (SNS JU)

'''Full SRIDA Title & Version:''' ''Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda 2021–2027, 2nd Edition (Brussels, 2023)''

'''Publication / Last Update Date:''' 2023 (Second Edition)

'''Governing Body / Association:''' SNS JU; SRIA prepared by [https://6g-ia.eu/ 6G-IA] and [https://www.networldeurope.eu/ Networld Europe ETP]

'''Type:''' EU [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/glossary/joint-undertakings.html Joint Undertaking]

'''Website / Source:''' [https://smart-networks.europa.eu/reference-documents/ 6G SNS Reference Documents]

=== Strategic orientation ===
'''Vision Statement:'''

Europe to lead creation of next-generation smart network technologies and services (6G), safeguarding EU values (security, privacy) and strengthening technological sovereignty; full digitalisation of verticals and public administration.

'''Core Mission / Objectives:'''

Define and implement R&I and deployment roadmaps for 6G; ensure positive impact on citizens’ quality of life and Europe’s data economy.

'''Key Strategic Pillars / Focus Areas:'''

Drivers from society, policy, and business; convergence of physical–human–digital worlds; deterministic E2E services; integrated sensing/communication; trustworthiness, sustainability, and affordability.

'''Expected Outcomes / KPIs:'''

SME participation (~20%), standardisation deliverables, number of trials/pilots, and open infrastructure reuse; biennial SRIA updates.

'''Policy Alignment:'''
* Horizon Europe [https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/strategic-plan_en KSOs (A & C)];
* [https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/activities/digital-programme Digital Europe Programme] synergies;
* ''[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1781/oj Chips Act]'';
* ''[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/summary/european-green-deal.html Green Deal]''.

=== Technological and thematic priorities ===
'''Main Technological Domains (by Streams):'''
* '''Stream A:''' Evolution of 5G toward pre-6G (sunset after WP2022).
* '''Stream B:''' Revolutionary & evolutionary 6G R&I (low–medium TRL: AI-native networks, devices, IoT, software).
* '''Stream C:''' Enablers & federated experimental infrastructures — integration of microelectronics, photonics, cloud–edge–IoT continuum.
* '''Stream D:''' Large-scale trials & pilots with verticals, progressively incorporating 6G functions and immersive communications.
'''Cross-cutting Topics:'''
* Sustainability and energy efficiency
* Ethics, privacy, cybersecurity, and trustworthiness
* '''Standards and interoperability frameworks''' ([https://www.w3.org/ W3C], [https://www.iso.org ISO]/[https://www.iec.ch IEC], [https://www.ieee.org/ IEEE], [https://www.3gpp.org/ 3GPP]) - explicitly added from EC building blocks
* '''Digital identity and authentication mechanisms''' (aligned with [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/910/oj/eng eIDAS] / [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/summary/the-establishment-of-the-european-digital-identity-framework-including-the-provision-of-european-digital-identity-wallets-and-trust-services.html European Digital Identity Wallet])
* SME participation, open innovation diffusion, and impact assessment via [https://hsbooster.eu/events/impact-assessment-and-facilitation-action-iafa-first-step-6g-research-and-vision IAFAs]

'''Related Infrastructures / Platforms:''' Federated experimental infrastructures (Stream C); synergies with [https://www.eurohpc-ju.europa.eu/index_en HPC], KDT/Chips, [https://adr-association.eu/ AI/Data/Robotics], [https://www.photonics21.org/ Photonics21], and [https://gaia-x.eu/ GAIA-X] (cloud–edge–IoT continuum).

'''Interdependencies / Synergies with Other SRIDAs:'''
* Strong connections across Cluster 4 partnerships;
* formal MoUs and joint workshops with [https://adr-association.eu/ ADRA], [https://www.photonics21.org/ Photonics21], and [https://www.chips-ju.europa.eu/ Key Digital Technologies JU];
* co-shaping of future work programmes through biennial consultations.

=== Building blocks alignment ===
{| class="wikitable"
|'''EC Technical Building Block'''
|'''SNS SRIA Streams / Topics'''
|-
|'''Connectivity (5G/6G)'''
|Streams B–D – deterministic low-latency, high-throughput, secure connectivity
|-
|'''Cloud–Edge–IoT Continuum'''
|Stream C – distributed programmable networks, edge orchestration
|-
|'''High-Performance Computing (HPC)'''
|Stream C – integration with HPC and photonics for simulation & AI training
|-
|'''Artificial Intelligence / AIoT'''
|Stream B – AI-native networks, distributed intelligence
|-
|'''Digital Twins'''
|Streams B & D – digital-twin communication models
|-
|'''Extended Reality (XR)'''
|Stream D – immersive communication & human–digital convergence
|-
|'''Microelectronics & Photonics'''
|Stream C – component integration for energy efficiency
|-
|'''Blockchain / DLT'''
|IAFA topics – trusted transactions, security layers
|-
|'''Digital Identity'''
|Trust frameworks in Stream D pilots
|-
|'''Standards & Interoperability'''
|Cross-cutting – alignment with 3GPP, ETSI, ISO, IEEE
|-
|'''Integration & Engineering of Platforms'''
|Overall coordination (SNS JU / 6G-IA / Networld Europe)
|}

=== Governance and ecosystem ===

'''Leading Organisations / Associations:''' [https://smart-networks.europa.eu/ SNS JU], co-developed by [https://6g-ia.eu/ 6G-IA] and [https://www.networldeurope.eu/ Networld Europe] (>1 000 entities).

'''Stakeholder Groups:''' Industry, academia, research institutes, SMEs, public bodies.

'''Engagement Mechanisms:''' [https://hsbooster.eu/events/impact-assessment-and-facilitation-action-iafa-first-step-6g-research-and-vision IAFA] (Impact Assessment and Facilitation Actions), open consultations, thematic workshops, joint [https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/transport/public-private-partnerships_en#contractualpublicprivatepartnerships Public-Private Partnership] (PPP) events.

'''Update Frequency:''' Biennial SRIA revision (next expected 2025).

'''Contact / Participation Info:''' Engage via [https://6g-ia.eu/6g-ia-working-groups/ 6G-IA Working Groups], [https://www.networldeurope.eu/ Networld Europe] consultation lists, and the [https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101095841 SNS ICE] [https://rea.ec.europa.eu/horizon-europe-how-apply_en Coordination and Supporting Action] (CSA) coordination platform.

=== Alignment with Virtual Worlds ===

* '''Relevance to Virtual Worlds Domains:'''
** Provides the ''infrastructure backbone'' for interoperable, trustworthy, and energy-efficient virtual worlds.
** Incorporates '''digital twins''', '''immersive communications''', and '''AI-native architectures''' - direct enablers for OPENVERSE’s cross-initiative orchestration.
* '''Potential Collaboration Layers:'''
** Participate in '''IAFA cycles''' and '''biennial partnership workshops''' to align performance metrics (latency, trust, sustainability) with immersive-world needs.
** Collaborate on '''Stream C infrastructures''' for XR/virtual-world experimentation.
** Contribute to '''standardisation activities''' ([https://www.3gpp.org/ 3GPP], [https://www.w3.org/ W3C], [https://www.iso.org/ ISO]) ensuring 6G-enabled interoperability

=== Document metadata ===

'''Keywords / Tags:''' 6G, immersive communication, digital twins, sustainability, AIoT, interoperability, trust, photonics, standards.

'''Referenced Horizon Europe Clusters:''' [https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-4-digital-industry-and-space_en Cluster 4 - Digital, Industry & Space].

'''TRL Ranges Mentioned:''' Stream B (low–medium [[wikipedia:Technology_readiness_level|Technology Readiness Level]] TRL 3-6).

'''Budget / Investment Priorities:''' Emphasis on high-risk research, SME engagement, open infrastructure reuse.

'''Policy References:''' Horizon Europe KSOs, [http://sdgs.un.org/goals UN Sustainable Development Goals], [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/2022/2481/oj/eng 2030 Digital Decade Policy Programme], [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1781/oj Chips Act], [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1689/oj/eng Artificial Intelligence Act], [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/881/oj Cybersecurity Act].

6G SNS - Revision history

CollectiveIntelligenceAdmin at 14:42, 1 September 2026