Deutsche Telekom is taking the lead on a new project in Germany to advance the cause of 6G cellular.
The 6G-TakeOff research project is part of a group of 6G industry projects to research integrated systems and sub-technologies for sixth generation mobile communications.
The program is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
At a kick-off announcement in Darmstadt, Telekom formed a consortium with 22 partners from research and industry to develop a uniform 6G architecture for communication networks consisting of ground stations, airborne infrastructure platforms and satellites.
According to Telekom, by orchestrating different access technologies, their respective advantages can be used as required.
Base stations on board satellites and airborne platforms can help fill the remaining coverage gaps from ground-based base stations, the company said.
To this end, 6G-TakeOff will develop an architecture for mobile networks in which terrestrial and non-terrestrial base stations are viewed and used in a standardized manner.
The project addresses the need for fully automated management of networks in which structures change dynamically, as well as flexibly configurable hardware platforms and antenna systems and the use of AI to find optimal connections for data streams.
Since the use of satellite constellations and communication networks can only be realized internationally, the project will cooperate with European institutions and research projects in order to help shape future 6G standards, Telekom said.
The project will run until summer 2025 and is used to research the new 6G communication standard that has yet to be defined. Standardization by the 3GPP organization is expected to begin in 2025. The first 6G networks are expected to be launched by 2030.
The BMBF provides funding. In addition to the 6G industry projects, the 6G initiative includes four 6G research hubs at research institutes and universities as well as the 6G platform umbrella project.
“Cooperative early research is critical to preparing the ground for 6th generation communications technology. We are honored to lead the 6G TakeOff project and work with partners from industry, academia and academia to explore and validate key architectural concepts that will shape the future 6G landscape,” said Alex Jinsung Choi, Head of the T-Labs, Deutsche Telekom.
