Hexa-X-II Project

Research-Innovation-Awards-Logo-HEXA-X-II

Co-funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101095759 and the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU).
• Represented by Mikko Uusitalo
• Hexa-X-II overall lead
• Nokia Bell Labs (Finland)
• Head of a Research Department, Radio Systems Research Finland, Bell Labs Finland Site Lead

Hexa-X-II has delivered valuable early contributions to several ETSI Industry Specification Groups (ISGs), actively shaping the technical foundations of pre 6G systems. The focus of this nomination is the project’s significant and sustained impact on ETSI TC Environmental Engineering (EE), where Hexa-X-II played a key role in advancing sustainability-driven standardisation activities.

Hexa-X-II-schema

Hexa-X-II’s contributions to TC EE include:

  • Definition and refinement of energy efficiency metrics for radio networks and equipment, supporting the development of greener mobile system architectures.
  • Development of sustainability assessment frameworks, addressing both handprint (positive environmental impact) and footprint (reduction of negative impact) elements.
  • Contributions to the joint ETSI / ITU T SG5 workshop, including work on exposure assessment methodologies for future 6G networks.

These inputs directly support ETSI’s environmental objectives and are fundamental to shaping sustainability requirements for 6G systems.

The project’s originality stems from its holistic 6G system perspective, bringing together architectural, radio, management, AI, sustainability, and security innovations into a unified framework.

Key novel contributions include:
• Delivery of the first comprehensive European 6G system blueprint, informing early discussions within ETSI and 3GPP
• Integration of trustworthiness principles into AI driven automation frameworks
• Introduction of smart contract based closed loop control—an unprecedented concept in telecom standardisation
• Development of near field and large array THz channel modelling methodologies
• Definition of “sustainable by design” metrics tailored for future 6G systems
• Novel NTN/TN mobility continuity solutions contributing to pre standardisation efforts
• Architectural adaptations of Ambient IoT and eRedCap technologies enabling ultra low power devices
• Strong alignment with SNS JU Stream B research, helping consolidate insights across the European R&I landscape

Together, these contributions form foundational research steps that will shape the 2030 era 6G standards.

Hexa-X-II has made a direct and substantial impact on TC EE deliverable ETSI ES 203 228 V1.4.1 (2022-04): “Environmental Engineering (EE); Assessment of mobile network energy efficiency”. – An update is in preparation.

In addition to TC EE, Hexa-X-II provided valuable and early input to deliverables of several ETSI ISGs, shaping the foundations of pre-6G, ISGs ZSM, THz, and SAI.