Nokia announced that it will lead the Hexa-X-II project, the second phase of the European 6G flagship initiative.

The Hexa-X-II project aims to start work on 1 January 2023, with a planned duration of two and a half years.

This new phase will expand the Hexa-X partner list to 44 organizations that are tasked with creating the pre-standardized platform and system view that will form the basis for many inputs into future 6G standardization.

The Hexa-X-II project has been awarded funding from the European Commission as part of the first call of the Smart Network and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS-JU). This is the next significant step toward bringing together key industry stakeholders in Europe. The goal of both Hexa-X and Hexa-X-II is to establish Europe as leader in 6G.

“In the 6G era, the digital, physical and human worlds will become far more integrated. As billions more people and devices get connected, urbanization intensifies, and we strive to manage the limitations on energy and materials, the role of networks and 6G will deepen,” Peter Vetter, President of Nokia’s Bell Labs Core Research, said.

Hexa-X-II will research technologies that contribute to a zero-carbon footprint and limit energy and material consumption.

Hexa-X-II will ensure data transparency, security and privacy, and network robustness.

Ericsson takes the role as technical manager for Hexa-X-II. Orange, TIM SpA, TU Dresden, University of Oulu, IMEC and Atos will help coordinate various work packages such as radio evolution and innovation, future devices and flexible infrastructure, smart network management and values, and requirements and ecosystem.