The Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking launched its first phase of beyond 5G and 6G research projects at the ETSI Research Conference, where 25 of the 35 new initiatives presented their standardization roadmaps to experts. European Commission officials emphasized the critical two-year window leading up to 3GPP Release 20, urging projects to prepare key technologies and actively coordinate with standards bodies to ensure their work influences next-generation networks. Researchers were advised to engage early with standards groups to set clear objectives, while standards representatives called for agile feedback loops and updated roadmaps to better integrate research results. The event fostered extensive networking among SMEs, researchers, and policymakers to build collaborative plans for defining future network standards.
Keywords: standardization roadmaps, research integration, cross-coordination, stakeholder engagement, future network requirements