6G SNS

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Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking SRIA (2nd edition, 2023)

The 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 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 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: 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 6G-IA and Networld Europe ETP

Type: EU Joint Undertaking

Website / Source: 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 KSOs (A & C);
• Digital Europe Programme synergies;
• Chips Act;
• 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 (W3C, ISO/IEC, IEEE, 3GPP) - explicitly added from EC building blocks
• Digital identity and authentication mechanisms (aligned with eIDAS / European Digital Identity Wallet)
• SME participation, open innovation diffusion, and impact assessment via IAFAs

Related Infrastructures / Platforms: Federated experimental infrastructures (Stream C); synergies with HPC, KDT/Chips, AI/Data/Robotics, Photonics21, and GAIA-X (cloud–edge–IoT continuum).

Interdependencies / Synergies with Other SRIDAs:

• Strong connections across Cluster 4 partnerships;
• formal MoUs and joint workshops with ADRA, Photonics21, and Key Digital Technologies JU;
• co-shaping of future work programmes through biennial consultations.

Building blocks alignment

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: SNS JU, co-developed by 6G-IA and Networld Europe (>1 000 entities).

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

Engagement Mechanisms: IAFA (Impact Assessment and Facilitation Actions), open consultations, thematic workshops, joint Public-Private Partnership (PPP) events.

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

Contact / Participation Info: Engage via 6G-IA Working Groups, Networld Europe consultation lists, and the SNS ICE 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 (3GPP, W3C, ISO) ensuring 6G-enabled interoperability

Document metadata

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

Referenced Horizon Europe Clusters: Cluster 4 - Digital, Industry & Space.

TRL Ranges Mentioned: Stream B (low–medium Technology Readiness Level TRL 3-6).

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

Policy References: Horizon Europe KSOs, UN Sustainable Development Goals, 2030 Digital Decade Policy Programme, Chips Act, Artificial Intelligence Act, Cybersecurity Act.