Future Network Services: communication networks for and by the Netherlands

About 6G Future Network Services

The Future Network Services (FNS) consortium is made up of 60 partners, including top telecom and semiconductor manufacturers, mobile operators, ICT companies, and research institutions. Together, these partners are advancing 6G technology by focusing on key components such as software antennas, AI-driven network software, and cutting-edge applications. Additionally, a nationwide 6G testbed is being developed to test and refine these technologies and applications.

Becoming a leader in these areas of 6G will strengthen the future earning power of the Dutch economy. This will be centred around the following core values: digital autonomy, reliability, and sustainability.

Working together on 6G in the FNS Program

TNO leads the FNS project and coordinates the ‘leading applications’ program line. The aim of this program is to build a leading Dutch and therefore European position through R&D&I in specific and interconnected parts of 6G: smart components, smart networks, and leading applications in key sectors.

The core team further consists of: TU/e (coordinator of ‘smart components’) and TU Delft (coordinator of ‘smart networks’ and ‘strengthening the ecosystem’). The Ministry of Economic Affairs is involved on account of the public value and the areas of overlap with government policy. The work will be centred in the network technology hubs around Eindhoven, Delft-Den Haag and Groningen.

Around 60 parties, large and small, have now joined and are contributing to the further elaboration of investment proposals in specific technology, application or ecosystem development.

The large parties include NXP and Ampleon (6G semiconductor solutions), SURF (test bed infrastructure), Ericsson and Nokia (smart components and networks), KPN and T-Mobile (networks and applications), Cordis Suite and ASML (Next-Gen Remote Support), Vialis (wireless detection), and Gomibo (E-Commerce).

Smaller parties include AntenneX, ALTRUM RF, Antenna Company and Future Mobility Network.

Collaboration in the Topsector ICT

The development of network technologies is a systemic challenge, with no single problem owner and a huge number of stakeholders. Organisations from the energy, healthcare, mobility, and logistics sectors, the industry and universities, knowledge institutions, the ICT and network industries, and the government will need to work together in consortia.

TNO is therefore actively contributing to the work on Future Network Services within the Topsector ICT, which has adopted FNS as a key technology. The focus here will be on the following goals:

• Accelerate economic growth in sectors through digitisation and innovation in communication networks.
• Accelerate innovation in the networks themselves. Create economic value by capitalising on specific Dutch strengths in network technology.
• Actively build up knowledge and experience for sovereignty and reliability.

Positive assessment from National Growth Fund committee

We are very proud that in 2023, our project has gotten a positive assessment from the National Growth Fund (NGF) advice committee and that the cabinet has taken over this advice. As can be read in the committee's advice report, FNS is one of the 18 winners among 47 submitted proposals.

The FNS program can count on an NGF subsidy of € 61 million for the first phase, to stimulate structural and sustainable economic growth in the Netherlands. If the results of this first phase are evaluated positively and the proposal for the second phase is approved, the reservation of € 142 million for the second phase can be made available.