Message from the General Chairs
Distinguished Guests, Esteemed Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It our my honour to welcome you to the 2026 EuCNC & 6G Summit in Málaga, Spain, for the key yearly gathering on innovation and future connectivity, proudly supported by our main sponsor Telefónica.
Málaga is a force to count within Europe’s technology landscape. With institutions such as the University of Málaga, the Institute for Software Engineering and Software Technologies of University of Málaga (ITIS), the Andalusian Digital Agency, and the Andalusian Technology Park (PTA), the region is driving breakthroughs in AI, edge computing, and sustainable networking solutions. This dynamic ecosystem in Málaga is ideal to explore innovation trends on wireless connectivity, in particular on 6G.
The Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU), backed by €1.8 billion in public and private investment over 7 years, continues to propel Europe’s 6G research forward. To date, the SNS JU has launched 79 cutting-edge projects, with an additional 20 projects recently selected for funding. These initiatives span system architecture, large-scale trials in smart cities, healthcare, and autonomous mobility solutions, all aimed at advancing core 6G technologies and reinforcing Europe’s leadership in standardisation, security, and industrial adoption.
At this year’s summit, we will delve into the critical themes defining 6G’s development, in particular how 6G is connecting Intelligence, which is the motto of this year’s conference. As the first truly AI-native network, 6G will leverage machine learning for spectrum optimisation, predictive maintenance, and self-healing capabilities, setting new benchmarks in efficiency. Sustainability is no longer optional and security by design remains paramount to safeguard critical infrastructures in energy, transport, and healthcare against evolving cyber threats. Finally, global standardisation and collaboration are essential, with 3GPP driving 6G standardisation efforts.
The program of the conference features a comprehensive range of sessions including keynotes, workshops, tutorials, special sessions, convened sessions, panels, poster sessions, and regular paper presentations across multiple tracks. The acceptance rate remains highly selective, ensuring the highest quality of contributions that foster collaboration among stakeholders and lay the foundation for impactful partnerships across Europe and beyond. This year’s summit also marks a historic milestone with a record number of submissions, demonstrating the vibrant research and innovation ecosystem driving Europe’s digital future. Sincere thanks go to the Steering Committee, Track Chairs, and the Local Organising Team in Málaga, whose tireless efforts have made this event possible. With over 1,000 delegates from more than 40 countries, this summit is a testament to the power of global collaboration.
We encourage you to engage deeply in the discussions, challenge conventional thinking, and seize the opportunity to shape the future of connectivity. Enjoy the warmth and hospitality of Málaga, the richness of the programme, and the privilege of being part of a community that is writing the next chapter of digital communications.
¡Bienvenidos a todos! Welcome to the future of 6G.
Thibaut Kleiner & Antonio Guzmán
Conference General Co-Chairs
Message from the Technical Programme Committee Co-Chairs
Dear colleagues and friends,
Welcome to this new edition of the EuCNC & 6GS Conference, hosted in the FYCMA Convention Center in the city of Málaga.
Málaga was a major industrial hub in the 19th century and, after several transformations, it established itself as a leading area for Information and Communication Technologies in the late 20th century, with companies such as Fujitsu, Alcatel Citesa, and Siemens. Today, it remains one of Spain’s key innovation hubs in this field, with Málaga Tech Park hosting major players such as Ericsson, Keysight Technologies, and Dekra, as well as the University of Málaga, which is highly active in international collaborations. New actors are also joining the ecosystem, including the upcoming IMEC microelectronics factory. Beyond its technological appeal, Málaga offers many attractions: renowned museums, its legacy as the birthplace of Picasso, charming nearby villages, and its coastline, which draws around 12 million visitors each year.
The theme of this edition, “6G Connecting Intelligence,” reflects the central role that AI and machine learning are increasingly playing, both in the operation of mobile networks and in the applications built on top of them. In line with this theme, it is no surprise that the most popular term after 6G is AI/ML, and the track with the highest number of submissions is AI/ML for communications, for which we have scheduled 40 papers. In total, the conference features 195 papers across seven tracks. In addition, this edition includes 4 tutorials, 16 special sessions, 16 workshops, 9 convened sessions promoted by the steering committee, 4 keynotes, 3 panels, and 50 posters.
Building 6G standards is a collective global effort to ensure seamless connectivity worldwide. EuCNC & 6GS reflects this spirit as a truly international conference, rooted in Europe and supported by the European Commission. This year, we welcome delegates from over 40 countries, who are also contributing to an exhibition area that continues to grow year after year. In this edition, 60 booths showcase European projects and developments from companies and universities across different regions.
We hope you enjoy the program, made possible by the dedication of more than 500 contributors, including the Steering Committee, TPC members, reviewers, and local organizers. Our sincere thanks go to all of them. We would also like to express our gratitude to the institutions and sponsors supporting this event, including the European Commission, SNS JU, Telefónica, Ericsson, Nokia, ITRI, France 6G, Orange, Dekra, i2CAT, Keysight Technologies, Rohde & Schwarz, Virginia Diodes, Vodafone, and Nearby Computing.
We encourage you to take full advantage of this exceptional venue to network, exchange ideas, and connect with peers. And, of course, we hope you find time to enjoy Málaga—perhaps over some tapas by the sea.
It will be a pleasure to share this conference with all of you.
Pedro Merino
Local Organiser and TPC Co-Chair, Univ. Málaga, Spain
Ivan Seskar
TPC Co-Chair, Rutgers U., US
Ari Pouttu
TPC Vice-Chair, University of Oulu / 6G Flagship, Finland
