MoU ushers in 6G Sandbox, ITRI collaboration

The collaboration will link 6G-SANDBOX testbeds with Taiwan’s vibrant telecommunications ecosystem to focus on advanced 6G research topics such as joint communications and sensing (JCAS) and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS). Serving as a crucial catalyst within the Taiwanese ecosystem, ITRI will actively invite companies to participate in the collaboration.

“By seamlessly integrating technologies, applications, and experimental networks from Taiwan into the 6G-SANDBOX testbeds, we are paving the way for collaborative experimentation for people in Europe and Taiwanese companies and institutes, focusing on both 5G and 6G technologies,” said Pang-An Ting, General Director of ITRI’s Information and Communications Research Laboratories. “Looking ahead, we plan to extend invitations to universities and additional Taiwanese companies, aligning our shared commitment to innovating 5G networks and defining 6G standards.”

In addition to driving Taiwanese participation, ITRI will facilitate 6G-SANDBOX testbeds' access to essential components, including 5G cores, 5G O-RAN base stations, SMO/RIC management platforms, JCAS frameworks, and advanced network planning and emulation tools.

 “Through a robust interconnection between 6G-SANDBOX testbeds and the ITRI experimental network, we aim to create a comprehensive research platform for 6G applications,” stated Michael Dieudonne, 6G-SANDBOX coordinator.  “This MoU will further our ability to work with thought leaders across the globe and jointly run experiments to further advances in wireless communications.”

6G-SANDBOX was launched in January 2023 by Keysight in collaboration with 16 partners to create a pan-European testbed for 6G experimentation. The project will combine digital and physical nodes to deliver fully configurable, manageable, and controllable end-to-end networks for validating new technologies and research advancements for 6G.

In addition, 6G-SANBOX will enable entities across the European Union (EU) to test promising technical 6G enablers, including network automation, cybersecurity, digital twins, and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as technologies that streamline energy consumption.

 For Ting, this agreement underscores ITRI’s progress in the ICT sector. “During our visit to Gothenburg for the EuCNC & 6G Summit this year, ITRI collaborated closely with leading lights in the 6G academia and industry,” he said. “We explored robust research and development partnerships with European counterparts. I’m pleased to announce that ITRI has successfully joined the esteemed ranks of the 6G-IA.”

ITRI is a leading global research organisation renowned for its commitment to industrial innovation and technological advancement. Having spearheaded 5G technology across diverse domains, such as network infrastructure, wireless communication systems, antenna design, chipsets, and applications, ITRI remains deeply engaged in both fundamental and applied research.  With a focus now shifting from 5G to 6G technology development, ITRI is actively shaping the future landscape of communication networks.

6G-SANDBOX project has received funding from the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) under the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No 101096328.