Finland Calls for Greater International Collaboration in 6G Research and Development
Recognizing the pivotal role that next-generation connectivity will play in driving economic growth through digitalization and sustainability, Finland is calling for public and private actors around the globe to join forces with its research coalition in the realm of 6G development.
Finland has been at the forefront of wireless mobile technology for decades, ever since Nokia launched its first mobile phone in 1982. Building on this expertise and the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, Finland has recently laid the foundations for significant 6G development and positioned itself as a centre of pioneering research.
The world’s first large-scale 6G research program, 6G Flagship, was founded in Finland back in 2018. 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.
In May 2023, Finland signed a Joint Statement on Cooperation in Advanced Wireless Communications with the USA and has been actively building new international partnerships with other 6G stakeholders.
Today, research in Finland is working on a project that creates the essential 6G technological components, the tools, and the equipment to build a 6G test network, and develops chosen vertical applications for 6G to accelerate societal digitization.
Within the national innovation funding program 6G Bridge, Finland is calling for international system integrators and end-users to partner with Finnish 6G companies and researchers in exploring the opportunities of 6G technology. By supporting the research by funding programs Finland aims to attract international investments, strengthen the key capabilities in 5G/6G and foster testing and experimentation facilities in 6G.
Pekka Rantala, Head of the 6G Bridge program at Business Finland highlights the imperative for this initiative: "As the digital transformation accelerates, cooperation across borders is crucial to unlock the full potential of 6G technologies. We are on a good run, but to succeed we need international collaboration. We invite research organizations and system integrators to join hands with Finland's vibrant ecosystems to pool knowledge, share resources, and drive innovation that benefits societies around the world."
Finland’s 6G in a nutshell
6G Bridge – Business Finland-funded national program focusing on 6G Advanced and 6G. Runtime 2022-2026, 130 MEUR of committed national funding. www.businessfinland.fi/en/6gbridge
6G Finland – The active coalition of Finnish 6G R&D organizations incl. Nokia Bell Labs. www.6gfinland.fi/
6G Flagship – Research Council of Finland-funded flagship research program for 6G with 300 MEUR funding for 2018–2026. www.6gflagship.com
Finland at Mobile World Congress 2024
Finland hosts a Country Pavilion at Mobile World Congress 2024, with 20 SMEs participating along with three 6G research institutes: Aalto University, University of Oulu and VTT (Technical Research Centre of Finland). The country will highlight some of the use cases and solutions that its partners have developed, such as smart cities, autonomous vehicles, remote healthcare, and industrial metaverse. These are some of the examples of how 6G technology can transform the world and create new value for businesses and society.
The entire list of participants at the Finland Country Pavilion includes: Aavamobile Pepperl+Fuchs), Convergentia, Creanord, Cumucore, Efore Telecom, Enhancell, Fusionlayer, Hamina Wireless, Infiniteq Systems, Lastbot, Mentura Group, Netradar, Noccela, Orbis Systems, Radiopark, SeeTrue Technologies, Treon, Verkotan, Visidon, Wirepas, Aalto University, Oulu University, VTT and Business Oulu and Business Finland.
Business Finland welcomes international media to join the networking event “6G Meets Happiness” on Tuesday, February 27 at the Finland Country Pavilion in Hall 5 (stand 5J45) at 15:00–17:00. Opening words by Finland’s Minister of Traffic and Communication Ms. Lulu Ranne followed by keynotes by Mr. Harri Holma from Nokia/Nokia Bell Labs and Mr. Kalyan Kumar from HCL Software/HCL Tech.
Finland Country Pavilion: Location: Hall 5 (stand 5J45)
FURTHER INFORMATION
Pekka Rantala, Head of the 6G Bridge program, Business Finland, +358 40 503 8808, pekka.rantala@businessfinland.fi
MEDIA CONTACT
Lotta Hanski, Head of Marketing: Global Events, Business Finland, +358 44 976 9852, lotta.hanski@businessfinland.fi
ATTACHMENTS
“Connect with Finland” exhibition brochure for MWC 2024 (PDF)
6G meets happiness at MWC – networking event on 27 February (PDF)
ABOUT BUSINESS FINLAND
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
