On 7 November, 2024, the 6G-NTN project participated in the 12th FOKUS FUSECO Forum, a leading event organised by the Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication Systems (FRAUNHOFER FOKUS) in Berlin, Germany. Bringing together industry experts, the forum focused on developments in 5G technology and preparations for the 6G era, with special emphasis on network integration, automation, and the emerging role of non-terrestrial networks (NTN).
6G-NTN Partner Alessandro Guidotti from University of Bologna delivered a presentation titled “NTN evolution: stepping into 6G.” In his talk, Alessandro explored the standardisation journey of NTNs within 3GPP’s 5G-Advanced and anticipated 6G frameworks. Highlighting the integration of NTNs in the global telecommunications infrastructure with 3GPP Release 17, Alessandro discussed the seamless incorporation of air-/space-borne network elements into 5G systems. He eventually outlined the next steps for 6G, which aims to embed a native NTN component into a cohesive terrestrial/non-terrestrial network, delivering transformative benefits for industry, society, and the economy.
6G-NTN also joined forces with fellow SNS JU projects, 5G-STARDUST and ETHER, at a shared booth to showcase their work and explore synergies in the integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks for the 6G landscape. This collaboration highlighted the projects’ shared commitment to driving technological advancements and setting the stage for the next generation of connectivity.
About FOKUS FUSECO Forum
As a globally recognised industry-focused event, the FOKUS FUSECO Forum reflects insights gained from both public and private 5G network deployments and the latest advancements in 5G research and standardisation. The event organiser FRAUNHOFER FOKUS is also observing growing interest in private industrial campus networks and industries gearing up for the transition to 6G. This year’s forum explored the expanding momentum in international standardisation and the development of new ecosystems driven by cutting-edge innovations, including Open RAN, sub THz Radio Systems, Non-Terrestrial Networks, Network Automation, AI/ML, and Open Source Toolkits. Additionally, the forum addressed new 6G use cases that require in-depth evaluation of emerging 6G technologies and architectures.