On April 5, 2023, CTTC’s Director of EU Programmes and Industry Contracts, Dr. Carles Antón-Haro was elected as a Governing Board (GB) member of the Joint Undertaking of 6G Smart Networks and Services (JU-SNS). The GB is composed of representatives of the public (European Commission) and private (6G-IA) sides. It is responsible for the Joint Undertaking’s decision-making, including the preparation of the work programmes (with an earmarked budget of 900 Meuro for the 2021-2027 period) and funding decisions related to the research and innovation activities under Horizon Europe. The Governing Board also provides strategic guidance and contributes to the work programmes of other EU programmes that are implementing activities in the area of smart networks and services, such as the Connected European Facility 2 Digital, Digital Europe Progamme and InvestEU. The Board also adopts the Strategic Development Agenda for pan-European 5G corridors for connected and automated mobility.
Dr. Carles Antón-Haro is the only representative in the GB for all the R&D centers and academia in Europe. The rest of the members from the private side of the newly elected Board are as follows:
- Colin Willcock (Head of Radio Network Standardization; NOKIA)
- Afif Osseiran (Director, Industry Engagements & Research; ERICSSON)
- David Kennedy (Director, EURESCOM)
- Damir Filipovic (Secretary General; AIOTI)
The representatives from the European Commission on the Board are:
- Pearse O’ Donohue (Director for the Future Networks Directorate of DG CONNECT)
- Bernard Barani (Deputy Head of Unit Future Connectivity Systems, DG CONNECT)
Besides, on March 23, Dr. Carles Antón-Haro was also re-elected as Governing Board of the 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA). The 6G-IA is the voice of European Industry and Research for next generation networks and services. All major vendors, mobile network operators, thriving SMEs, research centers, and academia are represented there.
Clearly, all the above further strengthens the positioning of the CTTC in Europe and allows the Center to become a key player in terms of policy making.
Congratulations!!