At MWC 2026, the SNS JU highlighted a €1.8 billion investment strategy to position Europe as a global leader in 6G, emphasizing the integration of AI, cloud infrastructure, and space connectivity. Industry leaders stressed that future networks must be designed with trust, energy efficiency, and data sovereignty at their core to compete with US and Chinese dominance. The session showcased new project funding totaling €116 million, bringing the total Horizon Europe portfolio to 100 projects aimed at translating research into scalable, real-world deployments. Key priorities identified include developing sustainable business models, achieving system-level integration, and establishing federated pan-European testbeds to ensure long-term digital sovereignty.
Source: https://smart-networks.europa.eu/europes-6g-ambition-takes-centre-stage-at-mwc-2026/
Keywords: non-terrestrial networks, AI-driven optimization, digital twins, European sovereignty, sustainability