Large-Scale Trials and Pilots: The Pathway from SNS JU Call 1 to R&I Workprograme 2027
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 14:00 – 17:30, room C2.2
Organisers
- Carles Antón-Haro (Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC), ES)
Motivation and Background
It takes almost a decade for a new mobile generation to reach commercial maturity, through successive phases of research, standardisation, experimental validation and deployment. In Europe, the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) plays a central role in incubating 6G across this full innovation chain.
6G has the potential to become a key driver of digital transformation across multiple vertical sectors by enabling new services, operational models and societal applications. To realise this, large-scale trials, pilots and demonstrations with strong vertical involvement from early research stages are essential. They allow performance validation under realistic conditions, a deeper understanding of sector-specific requirements, and the development of credible business models.
Since 2021, successive SNS R&I Work Programmes have supported experimental activities through Stream D (large-scale trials and pilots with verticals), with a cumulative investment of 122 M€. In parallel, SNS CO-OP has established close cooperation with major European industry associations to continuously capture emerging use cases and sector priorities.
One final call for Trials and Pilots remains under Horizon Europe, while the preparation of FP10 has already begun and 6G deployment is foreseen to start by the end of the decade. Leveraging the lessons learned from the first four calls to fine-tune this last experimental instrument, and to inform the future framework programme, is therefore of strategic importance.
The workshop is co-organised by the SNS CO-OP Coordination and Support Action together with selected SNS Stream D projects — 6G-VERSUS, AMAZING-6G and ENVELOP — bringing expertise across key verticals including manufacturing, logistics, media, transport, health and public safety. This ensures a balanced technical coverage and a rich diversity of perspectives.
SNS CO-OP, acting as a de facto ambassador of the SNS JU, will ensure wide dissemination of the workshop conclusions and integrate the outcomes into future communication and strategic activities.
Structure
SESSION 1: OPENING SESSION [15 min]
- Welcome by workshop organizers
- Keynote Speech: “SNS T&P Brochure #2: highlighting advances in Trials and Pilots towards 6G”, Didier Bourse (Sr. Director EU R&I Programs, Nokia)
SESSION 2: KEY RESULTS AND IMPACTS FROM SNS CALL 1–3 TRIALS & PILOTS PROJECTS [75 min] Session Chairs: Raffaele de Peppe (TIM), Haesik Kim (VTT)
- “IMAGINE B5G: Key achievements in Real-World Validation of (B)5G Capabilities for Port Operations and Selected Project Results”, David Gomez Barquero, Project Coordinator (UPV) [15 min]
- “TRIALSNET: Transforming the Live Event Experience with Advanced XR Capabilities”, Alessandro Trogolo, Technical Manager (TIM) [15 min]
- “Key lessons learnt in 6G PATH when implementing large-scale pilots to assess 6G innovations value in multiple verticals”, Luis Cordeiro, Technical Manager (One Source) [15 min]
- “Advancing Automotive Vertical Innovation in ENVELOPE through API-Driven Network and Edge Programmability in B5G Systems”, Pavlos Basaras, Project Coordinator (ICCS-NTUA) [10 min]
- “Overview of 6G-VERSUS Trials”, Xenofon Vasilakos, Technical Manager (ICCS-NTUA) [10 min]
- “Sustainable 6G vertical use cases in AMAZING 6G”, Haesik Kim, Technical Manager (VTT) [10 min]
SESSION 3: KEY INSIGHTS FROM THE SNS STRATEGIC WORKSHOPS WITH SELECTED VERTICALS [30 min] Session Chair: Xenofon Vasilakos (ICCS-NTUA)
This session presents the main outcomes of a series of vertical-focused workshops organised by the SNS CO-OP project in close collaboration with the 6G IA and the SNS Office in March 2026. It highlights the key priorities and needs identified across the verticals and examines how 6G networks can respond to them. Participants will gain an overview of emerging opportunities and challenges, outlining the technical and societal requirements across sectors. The session features presentations by the workshop organisers covering the following verticals:
- Public Safety, David Lund (PSCE Forum) [10 min]
- Railway: Raffaele de Peppe (TIM) – [10 min]
- Smart Manufacturing – Didier Bourse (Nokia) [10 min]
SESSION 4: PANEL DISCUSSION “LOOKING BACK AND PLANNING AHEAD: TRIALS AND PILOTS IN SNS R&I WORKPROGRAMME 2027 AND BEYOND” [60 min] Moderator: Carles Antón-Haro (CTTC)
Participants: Representatives from Stream D projects, EC/SNS-O, 6G IA officers, vertical companies, etc.
Discussion topics:
- From experience to impact
Looking across the current and past SNS Trials and Pilots, what are the most important lessons learned — both technical and organisational — that should shape the next generation of large-scale experimentation in Europe? - Where are the real experimentation gaps?
Despite the richness of current pilots, which technological domains, vertical sectors, or system-level questions remain insufficiently explored, and risk becoming blind spots for Europe’s 6G strategy? - Designing the “right” experimental instrument
Based on what has worked best so far, what characteristics seem essential for an effective Trials and Pilots project in terms of scale, diversity of actors, open calls, maturity of technology, and time-to-impact? - Verticals as co-architects, not only users
How should vertical industries be more deeply involved in future T&P — from defining use cases and KPIs to sharing infrastructure, data, and business constraints — to ensure true industrial relevance and adoption? - Creating synergies beyond the SNS ecosystem
What opportunities do you see for stronger alignment between SNS T&P and other European, national, or international R&I programmes, standardisation bodies, and sectoral platforms to maximise reuse, interoperability, and long-term value? - From experimentation to FP10 and Europe’s 6G vision
How can Trials and Pilots best inform the design of the next R&I Framework Programme (FP10) — in terms of priorities, instruments, and evaluation criteria — to effectively bridge research, innovation, and large-scale deployment?
