On February 8th, 2022, the European Commission's Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (EC DG CONNECT) and the Ministry of Science Information and Technology of the Government of South Korea (MSIT) shared with major international industry players their vision towards 6G and discussed cooperation opportunities in the related research and standardization activities. This event was held with the support of ETSI and its partner TTA.
Following the June 2021 EU-Korea cooperation workshop aiming at shaping the early vision and roadmap for beyond 5G communications, this second EU-Korea cooperation workshop was the opportunity to provide an update on research and innovation programs launched in the EU and Korea since then. It was also a chance to dive into some of the technical areas that are foreseen to contribute to 5G-Advanced and 6G mobile communication technologies.
This workshop was co-chaired by M. Tonnie de KOSTER, adviser for the International Aspects of Digital Transformation, EC DG CONNECT, and by Ms. Jaejin SUL, Director of Network Policy Division, Innovation Network Team, Cyber Security & Network Policy Bureau, MSIT.
The European Commission highlighted the importance of continuing the development of technologies enabling a digital industry and a digital society while meeting our sustainable development goals for the planet.
The MSIT of South Korea stressed the importance of International Cooperation and joint development research programs between both regions.
Key stakeholders involved in the definition of the beyond 5G roadmap from the EU and South Korea provided insights on the challenges to address on the road towards 6G as well as their views on areas requiring cooperation to reach the common goal of having a single and globally harmonized standard for 6G::
- Bernard BARANI, Deputy Head of Unit at EC DG CONNECT - Future Connectivity Systems
- Emilio DAVILA – GONZALEZ, Head of Sector ICT Standardization – EC DG CONNECT
- Stefan KRAMER First Counsellor at the Delegation of the EU to South Korea and Japan
- Colin WILLCOCK, Chair of 6G – Infrastructure Association
- Sungho CHOI, Program Manager of IITP (Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning and Evaluation)
- David BOSWARTHICK, Director of New Technologies at ETSI
- Yongjun CHUNG, Team Leader of Mobile communication Standards at TTA
- Arman SHOJAEIFARD, Chair of ETSI RIS Industry Specification Group
- Junghoon LEE, Senior Researcher at ETRI member of TTA PG1102(RAN)
- Dario SABELLA, Chair of ETSI MEC Industry Specification Group
- Hyeonsoo LEE, SK Telekom and member of ETSI MEC Industry Specification Group
- Dongjoo PARK, Director of Ericsson-LG, Vice-Chair of TTA PG1104 Vertical
- Xavier PIEDNOIR, InDiCo Project Manager, ETSI
- Kyoung Cheol KOO, Vice President of TTA
- Adrian SCRASE, Chief Technical Officer of ETSI
The EC DG CONNECT confirmed the adoption of the necessary legal acts for the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking to be launched, with an associated funding program of 900 M€ from 2021 to 2027. It was noted that the EU vision on 6G is currently being fine-tuned.
The Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning and Evaluation from South Korea exposed their roadmap and programs for the coming years to make 6G a reality between 2027 and 2030.
The workshop also offered the opportunity to learn about the benefits of two specific technologies: Multi-access Edge Computing and Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces.
The exchange of information through interactive panel sessions contributed to tightening the bond between the research and standardization ecosystems in the regions. Clear commonalities of values and views on the approach were expressed.
The importance of keeping an open and global approach and international approach for the beyond 5G standards to continue the successful deployment of telecom technologies across the world was highlighted by all players around the table, noting the relevance of the 3GPP platform to host the work on 6G standards.