The EU-funded project 5G-STARDUST recently demonstrated its pioneering efforts in advancing next-generation telecommunications at two prominent industry events in two different countries, in the same week: the EuCNC & 6G Summit and the PSCE Conference.
EuCNC & 6G Summit: Pioneering the Future of 5G and Beyond
On June 3-4, 2024, in Antwerp, Belgium, in the stunning location of the Flanders Meeting and Convention Center – Located within the town’s zoo – the EuCNC & 6G Summit brought together leading industry experts, researchers, and policymakers to explore the landscape of 5G emerging 6G technologies. The 5G-STARDUST consortium was at the forefront of this exploration, with significant contributions and presentations throughout the event.
On the first day of the summit, Tomaso de Cola, Project Coordinator of 5G-STARDUST and a representative from DLR (German Aerospace Center), delivered a compelling presentation titled “Enabling Technologies towards NTN-6G systems: Tools and Demonstrators.” This presentation was a joint effort by several Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) projects, including 5G-STARDUST, 6G-NTN, ETHER, and 6G-SANDBOX, and part of the programme of the in-event workshop “Non-Terrestrial Networks and Terrestrial Networks Unification – from Vision to Reality,” organised by Adam Kapovits (Eurescom GmbH) and Maria Guta (ESA), which underscored the increasing integration of space and terrestrial networks. The discussion was driven by the fact that through various funding channels (ESA and national), space assets suitable for 5G/6G experimentation, advanced 5G Proof of Concept validation and demonstrations are gradually becoming available and should be exploited by market stakeholders and R&D NTN/TN community to consolidate solutions, demonstrate cases and build confidence; not to mention the intent from major players on providing direct-to-device connectivity from space.
On the same day of the event 5G-STARDUST also took the spotlight in the workshop titled “Architectural Considerations Enabling the IMT 2030 Framework by European 6G R&D Activities.” This session focused on advancing the IMT 2030 framework, crucial for the development of future 6G networks. Alessandro Vanelli-Coralli of the University of Bologna delivered another collective presentation on “Ubiquitous Connectivity for the Unconnected.” Representing the 6G-NTN project, collaborating once again with 5G-STARDUST, ETHER and 6G-SANDBOX, Vanelli-Coralli underlined the importance of extending connectivity to underserved and remote areas. The workshop was structured around the six IMT 2030 usage scenarios set out by the ITU-R, complemented by four overarching aspects (sustainability, connecting the unconnected, ubiquitous intelligence and security/resilience). Each IMT usage scenario was then tackled via a consolidated presentation from multiple relevant projects from the 6G Architecture Working Group.
The 5G-STARDUST team’s participation at the EuCNC & 6G Summit culminated in a presentation by Alessandro Guidotti from Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Telecomunicazioni (CNIT). As one of the invited panelists in the highly attended Special Session titled “Bringing 6G from Vision to Reality in Europe – the Key Role of Regulation in Research,” Guidotti discussed the critical role of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) in the evolution of 6G. The special session focused on dissecting the regulatory landscape that will shape the future of 6G, identifying both potential roadblocks and opportunities for Europe to lead in this transformative technology. The discussions highlighted the importance of aligning research and regulatory efforts to ensure the seamless integration of advanced technologies into society.
5G-STARDUST Shines at PSCE Conference in Vienna
5G-STARDUST continued its streak of impactful engagements at the PSCE Conference, held in Vienna, Austria, on June 4-5. Flavien Ronteix, representing partner Thales Alenia Space, delivered a captivating presentation on the project’s objectives and achievements, garnering a positive response from the attendees. Moreover, the project’s presence was further highlighted by a prominently displayed poster, sparking engaging conversations and inquiries about 5G-STARDUST’s innovative contributions to the telecommunications landscape.
