Message from the General Co-Chairs
Distinguished Guests, Esteemed Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,
We would like to extend our warmest welcome to each and every one of you attending the 2024 EuCNC & 6G Summit in Antwerp, Belgium. It is a pleasure to be the co-chairs for this year’s event, which combines two successful conferences in the area of telecommunications: EuCNC, supported by the European Commission, and the 6G Summit, originating from the 6G Flagship program in Finland. We believe this merger is one of the rare mathematical instances where the whole is greater than the sum or its parts.
While the 6G era won’t officially kick off until 2030, we’ve already ventured well down the road that will make 6G a reality. 2024 marks a new milestone for 6G as our focus shifts from exploration to systems and technical standardization. Three recent developments lay the groundwork for this change. First, 3GPP has confirmed its 6G timeline and committed to developing 6G specifications. Second, the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 made key decisions on spectrum that will shape the future of 6G. Finally, the International Telecommunication Union has published its framework for the initial requirements for IMT-2030, the ITU nomenclature for 6G. We are truly moving from vision to reality!
As the world embarks on the journey into the 6G territory, it is imperative to recognise that this will encompass a multidimensional landscape that spans business, technology, and societal domains. 6G will be able to provide sustainable progress for society in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Given this big uptick in 6G activity, EuCNC & 6G Summit 2024 is poised to play an even more important role. The conference serves as a platform for thought leaders, researchers, policymakers and industry pioneers from across the world to engage in insightful discussions and share groundbreaking research in communication networks and associated topics. From exploring the technical intricacies of 6G networks to envisioning its societal impacts, our agenda is as comprehensive as it is ambitious.
This year’s EuCNC & 6G Summit is in Antwerp, home of Nokia Belgium and one of Bell Labs’ vibrant innovation sites. Our deep-rooted partnerships with local telecommunications leaders in Belgium have propelled us to the forefront of innovation in broadband access and 5G. Together, we’ve pioneered cutting-edge advancements, from trailblazing tests of RAN slicing capabilities to spearheading the world’s premier nationwide drone network. Moreover, our commitment to pushing the boundaries of network technology is evident in milestones like the inaugural deployment of 25G PON technology in Antwerp. These achievements underscore our unwavering dedication to shaping the future of connectivity.
Antwerp is at the center of a strong research ecosystem in Flanders with esteemed universities and research institutions, including KU Leuven, University of Ghent, University of Antwerp, VUB, and imec. And the Port of Antwerp has acted as an excellent testbed for trialing research use cases in industrial automation.
The conference is also close to Brussels, which is the seat of the European Commission and a driving force in bolstering the broader European research landscape. The Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU), led jointly with industry, is the European initiative at the forefront of this journey to shape the future of connectivity and usher in a new era of innovation and progress. It has a portfolio of ongoing 63 research, innovation, and trials projects, aiming to build first-class 6G technology capacities and to contribute to standardization efforts.
6G is central to Europe’s digital future, addressing a number of political priorities and societal needs, encompassing competitiveness, supply chain resilience, sustainability, privacy and cybersecurity. This is why the European Commission presented in February a set of possible actions on how to address Europe’s digital infrastructure needs, to attract investments, foster innovation, security and resilience of digital infrastructures, and to achieve a true Digital Single Market. This White paper has started a discussion on concrete proposals with stakeholders, Member States and like-minded partners, and includes actions towards R&I for connectivity, spanning over the entire connectivity computing continuum, from semiconductors, computational capacity in all kinds of edge and cloud environments, radio technologies, to connectivity infrastructure, Artificial Intelligence, data management, and applications. It focuses on the implications of the real convergence between computing and connectivity and the growth of edge computing, which 5G and later 6G will be crucial in supporting.
We hope you enjoy the conference and your stay in Antwerp. We are looking forward to the many compelling conversations we will have with you.
Pearse O’Donohue & Peter Vetter
Conference General Co-Chairs
Message from the Technical Programme Committee Co-Chairs
Dear colleagues/friends,
Welcome to the EUCNC & 6G Summit 2024 in the picturesque city of Antwerp, Belgium! It is with immense pleasure that we extend to you a warm greeting on behalf of the Technical Programme and Organizing Committee. This year, our motto resonates with profound significance: “6G: from Vision to Reality” highlighting the transition from conceptualization to practical implementation. It underscores the importance of turning theoretical advancements and visionary ideas into tangible solutions, products, and services that can be deployed and utilized in real-world scenarios.
First and foremost, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors Nokia, Huawei, ITRI, Keysight, NI, Ericsson, VDI, Televic, whose generous support has been instrumental in making this event a reality, as well as to our supporters and technical-co sponsors: the European Commission, 6G Flagship, IEEE/Comsoc, Eurasip, COST, and EurAPP. Your commitment to advancing telecommunications and 6G technologies is truly commendable.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our Chairs who have served in various capacities: General, Local, Track, Special Sessions, Workshops, Tutorials, Panel, Patronage, Exhibition, and Publication. We are deeply grateful for your commitment and diligence in overseeing these crucial aspects of our event. Special recognition is also extended to the organizers of special sessions, tutorial presenters, panelists, and workshop facilitators for their invaluable contributions in crafting engaging and informative content. Your efforts have significantly enhanced the quality of our program, providing a rewarding experience for all participants.
We would also like to express our gratitude to the esteemed members of the Steering Committee for their unwavering guidance and expertise, which have been instrumental throughout the planning process. Additionally, we thank the Award Committee for their dedication to recognizing and honoring the excellence and dedication within our community. Your collective efforts have truly elevated the success of our event, and we are sincerely appreciative of your contributions.
A special thank you is extended to the hardworking members of the Local organizing committee. Your tireless efforts behind the scenes have been the cornerstone of our success, and we are deeply grateful for your unwavering commitment. Last but certainly not least, I would like to express our gratitude to all the volunteers who have generously contributed their time and energy to make this event possible. Your dedication exemplifies the spirit of collaboration that defines our EUCNC & 6G Summit community.
As we embark on this journey together, we take great pride in unveiling our Technical Program, meticulously curated to explore the forefront of telecommunications and the ground-breaking realm of 6G technology. Comprising 5 illuminating Keynotes, 12 comprehensive Workshops, 2 enlightening Tutorials, 13 captivating Special Sessions, 4 dynamic Convened Sessions, 4 engaging Panels, alongside a Poster Session, and 23 Regular Paper Sessions spanning 8 tracks, our program sets the stage for an unparalleled exploration. With an acceptance ratio of less than 50% and a rating exceeding 3.5 out of 5.0, we ensure the calibre of accepted works and the excellence of our event. Our overarching mission is to nurture collaboration among stakeholders, laying the foundation for revolutionary advancements and impactful partnerships across Europe and beyond. The 2024 edition of EUCNC & 6G has marked a historic milestone, boasting a record-breaking number of submissions: 275 regular papers, 27 workshops, 23 special sessions, 12 tutorials, and 50 posters. Together, let’s propel innovation to new heights.
Once again, welcome to the EUCNC & 6G Summit 2024. May this gathering serve as a catalyst for inspiration, knowledge exchange, and fruitful collaboration.
Cheers,
Ingrid Moerman
Lead local organizer, Technical Programme Chair, imec – Univ. Ghent, Belgium
Johann Marquez-Barja
Lead local organizer, Technical Programme Chair, imec – Univ. Antwerp, Belgium
Ari Pouttu
Technical Programme Vice-Chair, University of Oulu / 6G Flagship, Finland
Peter Van Daele
Local Organiser Chair, imec – Univ. Ghent, Belgium
