Finland driving 6G development for a safer, more sustainable, and connected planet

The golden era of 6G technology is tantalizingly close – and with it a safer, more sustainable, and connected planet that promises to shake up the future of mankind. Finland is a global forerunner in developing 6G – indeed there are already numerous research initiatives and industry vertical specific visions to help support companies and societies around the world.

The golden era of 6G technology is tantalizingly close – and with it a safer, more sustainable, and connected planet that promises to shake up the future of mankind. Finland is a global forerunner in developing 6G – indeed, there are already numerous research initiatives and industry vertical-specific visions to help support companies and societies around the world.

From Noccela’s UWB-based IoT technology linking the real world to its digital twin and Mentura Group routing messages between TETRA, LTE and IP to Omnitele’s powerful AI tool for optimising RAN network investments and quality, Finnish solutions are developing building blocks for meeting the multifaceted future needs of a 6G world.

Finland’s 6G trailblazing did not occur overnight. Indeed, this northern nation has a long and successful history in the field of wireless mobile technologies, and has pioneered the development of mobile communications since the first mobile phone launched by Nokia in 1982. Nokia’s massive success peaked internationally in 2006, when it had captured 41 per cent of the global mobile phone market. The company’s powerful legacy remains: numerous former Nokia employees have since founded successful startups that have become game changing companies in their own right. Finland’s strong tech expertise, high level of education, vibrant startup scene and the unique collaborative spirit shared by businesses and academia together create an innovative digital ecosystem.

This is the engine driving Finland’s forerunner status in the 6G arena. The world’s first large-scale 6G research program, 6G Flagship was founded in Finland back in 2018 having now 500 academic partners from 71 countries and 400 industry partners from 31 countries. Finland also leads two European 6G flagship projects: Hexa-X, and its successor Hexa-X-II with Nokia being the project leader in both, and plays a significant role in other EU 6G research.

Seamless telecommunication also directly impacts the development of other industries and the digital infrastructure of society. 6G will provide tools for the digitalization and automation of society in the 2030s, merging the physical and digital worlds with human interaction. Eventually, the networks and the applications they support should also be ready for the quantum era.

“6G research and innovation offer the fundamental tools to achieve a secure, resilient, and carbon-free European future,” says Pekka Rantala, Head of the 6G Bridge Program at Business Finland. “The crucial green transition cannot happen without digitalization, as this helps industries reduce emissions and minimize energy use. Finland offers the world’s best innovation ecosystem for 6G development and an excellent quantum ecosystem supplementing it that is verified by large global companies.

“We currently have outstanding testing infrastructure for 5G, and we will create the very first 6G testing network”, Rantala adds.

The eventual launch of 6G will arrive on the heels of some of the most turbulent world events in recent memory. The pandemic, war, climate change, and cyber-attacks have collectively underlined our vulnerability. Secure and wireless data transfer is now more vital than ever before, and the need for reliable partners and developed technologies is pressing. Companies worldwide are currently looking for reliable and safe connectivity solutions to effectively communicate with their customers and employees.

The solution to many – if not all – of the above challenges can be found from Finland.

“The future is all about 6G and 6G is all about Finland,” Rantala states.

Business Finland along with Finnish companies, research organizations, and universities will participate in the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, 27 February – 2 March 2023. Business Finland welcomes international media to join the networking event “Finland – Laying the Road Map for 6G Development” on 28 February at the Finland Country Pavilion in Hall 7 (7G41) at 3.00pm – 5.00pm. Participants at the Pavilion include Aalto University, Creanord, Cumucore, Eva Global, Fusionlayer, Hamina Wireless, Helsinki University, Mentura, Movya, Noccela, Nolwenture, Omnitele, Orbis Systems, Portalify, Radiotor Software, VTT Technical Research Center of Finland and Wirepas.

ABOUT

Business Finland is the Finnish government organization for innovation funding and trade, travel, and investment promotion. Business Finland’s over 760 experts work in over 40 offices globally and in 16 regional offices around Finland. Business Finland is part of the Team Finland network. www.businessfinland.com

Source:  Business Finland

Additional News

Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are propelling India into the 5G era with substantial financial investments and rapid network rollouts. Garnering over 100 million 5G users collectively within a year of service launch, these telecom giants are not only enhancing connectivity across the nation but also meeting the burgeoning demand for high-speed internet among Indian consumers. Amidst multi-billion-dollar loans and strategic expansions, the 5G race in India is unfolding at a remarkable pace, promising a transformative impact on the country’s digital landscape.
Ericsson ConsumerLab presents a deep dive into the evolving world of 5G, exploring pivotal consumer trends and network satisfaction across 28 global markets. This comprehensive research, involving 37,000 consumers, sheds light on the shifting paradigms of 5G user satisfaction, the transformative impact of 5G on video streaming and AR usage, and the critical role of 5G performance in influencing consumer loyalty. Furthermore, it explores the emerging monetization models, revealing that consumers are willing to pay a premium for enhanced 5G connectivity and tailored Quality of Service offerings. Dive into a world where 5G is not just a technology but a pivotal element shaping consumer behaviors, expectations, and loyalty in the digital age.
AST SpaceMobile has unveiled its space-based 5G broadband capabilities, achieving a new data rate of 14 Mbps, following successful 4G tests with AT&T and Vodafone. This was accomplished using the BlueWalker 3 satellite, in partnership with Vodafone, AT&T, and Nokia. This advancement underscores the potential of bridging 4G and 5G connectivity gaps globally. AST SpaceMobile’s patented technology will also be integral to their commercial satellites, with the first five set for a Q1 2024 launch.
Eutelsat Communications announced the completion of its all-share combination with OneWeb, the global low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications network, following the approval today at the Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meeting of Eutelsat shareholders. This combination forms the Eutelsat Group. The newly formed Eutelsat Group is strategically positioned to be a global leader in space communications. Eutelsat’s powerful GEO fleet will combine network density and high throughput with the low latency and ubiquity of OneWeb’s LEO constellation to offer customers global, fully integrated connectivity services.
Verizon introduces its cutting-edge Mobile Onsite Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) – a portable 10-foot trailer designed to deliver unparalleled private network, MEC, SD-Wan, and satellite services directly to clients. With its inaugural deployment at Lockheed Martin’s Colorado campus, the NaaS serves as a dynamic testing platform. Additionally, it doubles as a Mobile Lab for clients needing onsite application testing, further amplifying Verizon Innovation Labs’ customer-centric solutions.”
Scroll to Top

Celebrate your private hybrid (public/private) network achievements and stand out among industry leaders. Learn More