The European Commission announced the creation of Hexa-X-II, the second phase of the EC’s 6G flagship initiative. 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 EC 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 stakeholders in Europe. The goal of both Hexa-X and Hexa-X-II is to establish Europe as a leader in 6G.

It represents the full value chain for future connectivity solutions. Its members range from network vendors and communication service providers to verticals and technology providers, as well as the most prominent European communications research institutes. The Hexa-X-II project aims to start work on 1 January 2023, with a planned duration of 2.5 years.

Enabled by the outcomes, the Hexa-X-II consortium will strive to overcome societal challenges, like sustainability, inclusion, and trustworthiness: Hexa-X-II will ensure data transparency, security and privacy, and network robustness. Nokia will be the project leader for Hexa-X-II, following its leadership of the first Hexa-X project. Ericsson takes the role of technical manager for Hexa-X-II. Orange, Telecom Italia, 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.