The announcement of 6G Finland was published today when also Prime Minister Sanna Marin talked about it at a high-level technology seminar in Tokyo during her visit to Japan.
The founding members of 6G Finland are Aalto University, University of Helsinki, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology, University of Oulu, University of Tampere, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Nokia Bell Labs, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Finnish Defence Research Agency and BusinessOulu that form the core of Finland’s 6G expertise. 6G Finland operates as a network to which new members are invited on a content basis.
After the announcement of the coalition, the members of 6G Finland start creating a 6G R&D roadmap on the most important common priorities.
– The 6G Finland project launched now will take national cooperation to a new level. The University of Helsinki will develop the 6G network architecture and applications especially when it comes to programmability, energy efficiency and sustainability. 6G will enable a very fine network of sensors for smart-city and industry applications. This will create the basis for new and sustainable smart-city solutions and industrial digitalisation, says Dean Sasu Tarkoma of the Faculty of Science.
6G Finland operates as a national contact point for Finnish 6G know-how
Industry chairperson of 6G Finland, Dr. Mikko Uusitalo, Head of Research Department at Nokia Bell Labs Finland, is delighted with the timeliness and significance of the foundation of the coalition for Finnish 6G research and development.
– 6G development and discussion is currently accelerating globally. For Finland, this is an excellent moment to strengthen 6G cooperation nationally, and to be even stronger player as a Finnish team in 6G development globally.
Finland has been at the forefront of 6G research and development globally since the world's first large-scale 6G research program, 6G Flagship was launched in Finland in 2018. Currently, Finland also leads the European 6G flagship initiative Hexa-X funded by EU and plays a significant role in other 6G measures of the EU as well. As both research institutes and companies are active members of the coalition, 6G Finland will become one of the most notable alliances of 6G expertise in the world. Similar coalitions have so far been set up in Japan, the United States, and Germany.