Cosmote, which is a subsidiary of the Greek incumbent OTE, is participating in the 6G-Sandbox European research project for the design and implementation of experimental networks and the realization of tests on 6th-generation technologies.
In the context of the project, trial networks are being implemented in Athens (Greece), Berlin (Germany), Malaga (Spain), and Oulu (Finland). These networks combine digital and physical infrastructure and are fully customisable, offering automated experimentation capabilities throughout the 6G service provision chain, from the perspective of services for end users as well as control and management of the network.
Additionally, in the context of the project, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with the European Space Agency (ESA) to interconnect 6G-Sandbox infrastructure with ESA’s 5G and 6G Hubs, with the aim of integrating satellites into 5G terrestrial networks and future 6G technologies.
George Tsonis, OTE Group’s executive director network planning & devops, stated: “At Cosmote we systematically promote research and innovation, covering a wide range of cutting-edge technologies from the earliest stages of their development. By participating in the 6G-SANDBOX European research project, we are testing – at our facilities – the technologies of the future that are expected to secure multiple benefits for telecommunications, the economy and society”.
As a project partner, Cosmote is developing the 6G experimental infrastructure of Athens which runs under the supervision of the National Centre for Scientific Research (NCSR) ‘Demokritos’, and is involved in defining the technical specifications, describing the architecture, evaluating user requirements and business models, and implementing tests for selected use cases. At the same time, it is contributing to the dissemination and exploitation of the project’s results.
The project is being co-funded by the European Commission (EC) through the Horizon Europe framework and is under the auspices of the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU), which was founded by the EU to ensure Europe’s leadership in 5G and 6G technologies.
Eighteen organisations are participating in the project, which is coordinated by Keysight Technologies Belgium and has a total duration of three years.
