The impact of microelectronics in the ICT sector is of prime concern for the members of the 6G-IA
The 6G-IA is the voice of European Industry and Research for next generation networks and services. Its primary objective is to contribute to Europe’s leadership on 5G, 5G evolution and SNS/6G research.
The 6G-IA represents the private side in both the 5G Public Private Partnership (5G-PPP) and the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU). In the 5G-PPP and SNS JU, the European Commission represents the public side.
The 6G-IA brings together a global industry community of telecoms & digital actors, such as operators, manufacturers, research institutes, universities, verticals, SMEs and ICT associations.
Alexandros Kaloxylos, B.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D., received his Ph.D. degree in Informatics and Telecommunications from the University of Athens in 1999.
Since 1994, he has participated, as a researcher, in more than 25 R&I projects. In 2002 he joined the faculty of the University of Peloponnese, where he is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications.
From 2014 until 2017, he worked as a Principal Researcher in Huawei’s European Research Center in Munich, where he led the Radio Access Network team in 5G-related research activities.
During 2016, he was the vice-chair of the 5G PPP Architecture Working Group. He has also served as the 5G PPP Technology Board chairman (October 2019 - September 2021).
He has been the Executive Director of the 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA) since October 2019.
He has published over 140 papers in international journals, conferences, and book chapters and received more than 2.500 citations. He is an inventor of more than 20 filed patents for topics related to 5G networks.
1. How did you join COREnect? What is your role in the project?
6G-IA is a member of the COREnect consortium since the beginning of the project's lifetime. 6G-IA is actively participating in three Work Packages, namely: "WP2 Landscape, vision and, strategy", "WP3 Industry Roadmap" and, "WP4 Community building and outreach". I am actively participating in all three Work Packages.
2. What are your expectations from a project of this nature for your organisation?
The role of micro-electronics in the evolution of telecommunication networks and services is undeniable. As Europe should keep its leading position in telecommunications, the impact of microelectronics in the ICT sector is of prime concern for the members of the 6G-IA. Thus, it is vital to identify future telecommunication networks' technologies and their requirements from the underlying hardware infrastructure. For the European ICT sector to retain its leading global position, it is essential to honestly analyse its strengths and weaknesses and swiftly address current shortcomings. It is expected from COREnect to identify existing gaps, provide realistic roadmaps, and raise awareness among industry players, regulators, and policy makers.
3. In your view, could COREnect impact the European strategy in microelectronics and connectivity in the next 10 years, and how??
The topic under investigation, in the context of the COREnect project, is a complex one. However, COREnect has a good balance of main European partners as well as extensive groups of external experts that are working on the task. Moreover, COREnect has strong links with the SNS and the KDT Partnerships and, thus, it is able not only to identify the main issues but also help bridge the worlds of telecommunications and microelectronics in coordinated R&I efforts during the following years. I expect that COREnect will have a positive role and become a catalyst in the evolutionary process of the European ICT sector.
