Martel is excited to announce its involvement in UNITY-6G, a new groundbreaking project, which aims to address critical challenges in energy efficiency and sustainability for networked services. Co-funded by the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) and Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation (SERI), UNITY-6G harnesses cutting-edge technologies and the expertise of a world-class consortium to shape the future of connectivity.
Driving Innovation for a Sustainable Future
UNITY-6G focuses on creating energy-efficient, integrated network infrastructures that converge heterogeneous domains, including integrated networks (non-terrestrial, non-public (e.g., Wi-Fi) and terrestrial (e.g., open RAN)), IoT and distributed computing. The project leverages AI, machine learning, and distributed ledger technologies to enhance data security and build trust between stakeholders. UNITY-6G also addresses critical areas such as advanced resource allocation for integrated network resiliency, network service lifecycle management, and dynamic reconfiguration of network instances. By analyzing trade-offs between availability, resilience, performance and energy efficiency, UNITY-6G seeks to define new metrics for integrated network optimization and sustainability, setting a benchmark for future networks.
A Strong Consortium of European Leaders
To ensure the diverse skills and technical expertise required to achieve the project’s ambitious objectives, UNITY-6G has assembled a robust consortium of 20 partners from 11 European countries. Led by the Telecommunications Technology Center of Catalonia (CTTC), the UNITY-6G consortium consists of two mobile network operators, three equipment and hardware/software vendors, a satellite operator, a smart-grid operator, two universities, five research centers, and six well-established SMEs.
Martel’s role in the project
Martel plays a dual role in the project, leveraging the expertise of our Media and Lab departments. Martel Media leads the project’s impact creation activities, focusing on maximizing outreach and strategically positioning the project within the SNS JU ecosystem. This is achieved through a robust communication and dissemination strategy and by fostering connections with related initiatives, in which Martel and other UNITY-6G partners are actively involved. Martel Lab contributes key expertise in AI-based workload prediction algorithms and distributed AI schemes targeting energy aware solutions and provides cloud-native expertise that is key for the implementation of the distributed infrastructure and layers. As Martel’s CTO, Massimo Neri explains, “Through UNITY-6G, Martel will build upon its extensive experience from previous SNS-JU projects while advancing its leadership in AI-powered telecommunications solutions. Our strategic partnerships with international industry leaders, combined with our cloud-native expertise, position us at the forefront of the telecommunications-cloud convergence, enabling next-generation network innovations.”
Strategic involvement
Martel’s extensive experience in leading impact creation efforts along with our longstanding involvement in the SNS landscape provides a solid foundation for impactful contributions to UNITY-6G. Through this project, we further strengthen our position in the field of next-generation connectivity by deepening Martel Lab’s technical engagement, particularly in AI/ML techniques and distributed AI schemes. The project enables us to gain valuable insights into relevant use cases and applications while collaborating with leading industrial partners, SMEs, and research institutions across Europe.
Beyond UNITY-6G, Martel plays a key role in several other SNS-funded projects, reinforcing our commitment to shaping Europe’s digital future. In 6G4Society, we contribute to fostering inclusivity, sustainability, and trust in emerging technologies by bridging the gap between industry, small businesses, and the general public. In 6G SNS OPS, we orchestrate activities to capture and showcase the European vision for 6G, amplifying the impact of SNS projects results and ensuring a strong European presence in the global 6G landscape. We also contribute our expertise to several Research and Innovation Actions including ETHER, HORSE, 6G-XR, 5G Stardust, and 6G-NTN.
For more information about UNITY-6G and its groundbreaking work, visit www.unity-6G.eu.
About SNS JU and the winners of the third call for proposals
The European Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU), established in 2021 by EU Council Regulation No. 2021/2085, is a partnership between the European Commission and the 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA). Combining public and industry interests, it is a platform for collaboration and innovation in next-generation networks and services. Its two-pillar approach—supporting 5G deployment and advancing 6G research—ensures continuity for EU stakeholders while providing financial backing to top researchers, SMEs, and industry players to strengthen the EU supply chain. The initiative also promotes alignment with Member States on 6G research and fosters global cooperation to establish 6G standards.
UNITY-6G is one of the 16 projects selected in the SNS JU’s 2024 funding call, representing Europe’s commitment to sustainable innovation in next-generation networks. The funded projects align with the European Green Deal and Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to a digitally connected, energy-efficient future. Their collective outcomes are not only expected to benefit the European economy but also set the stage for global 6G standards and applications that will strengthen European industrial leadership and contribute to Europe’s technological sovereignty. More information about the 16 winners can be found in the funding announcement.
