Digital technology fusing the physical & virtual worlds

Long-term towards evolved 5G and 6G research needs mobilization of massive volumes of ideas, from which the best can emerge and be taken into standardization. That said, collaborative research is essential to share the burden of costs and enable a discourse where knowledgeable communities can reach consensus on the best areas to explore. Digital technology is increasingly offering a fusion of the physical and virtual worlds. The integration of high-resolution sensing, geolocation and wireless technologies will enable a new level of digital services that merge physical and virtual experiences and link human senses with ambient and remote data. What is being referred to as Beyond 5G, is set to boast ultra-high speeds, ultra-high capacity, ultra-low latency, ultra-multi-terminal connections and ultra-low power consumption. Combined with an expansion of connectivity into the sea, air and even space, this would have the power to transform society. This future eco-system is on course to be more collaborative and inclusive than previous generations of network, and FIDAL aims to lead the way by promoting open architectures, large experimentation sites and taking a multi-stakeholder approach.

The evolution of 5G is already in the planning stage via the 3GPP-Rel 18, building on the success of the 5G Service-Based Architecture. Advanced, AI (artificial intelligence) driven functions are planned for the management plane, enhanced access to slicing and support for reconfigurability, as well as a deeper integration of Multi-Access Edge computing. Most crucially, the evolution of 5G will add support for new vertical domains (e.g., Extended Reality XR) and further enhance the quality of experience of existing ones, facilitating new business models. However, the 5G evolution comes with a new set of challenges: i. New KPIs / KVIs yet unknown, ii. Testing and verification of verticals in evolved infrastructures, and iii. Security aspects.

FIDAL is a 6G-IA project aiming to build on the success of 5G-PPP Phase 3a/b ICT-17/19, 3b ICT-41 and ICT-52 projects, which aim to deliver advanced, multi-domain experimentation infrastructures that will be made attractive to vertical industry players and SMEs. This is achieved via streamlined experimentation frameworks and workflows that leverage common industry practices such as DevOps, as well as via reusable, vertical-specific NetApps. Those are considered as a key enabler by 5G-PPP Software Networks WG. NetApps are delivered as VNFs chained across multiple domains, that act as a middleware layer offering reusable functions with standard Northbound APIs. These technologies pose integration challenges and introduce new security considerations that FIDAL will identify, clarify and develop ‘best practice’ to address. DevOps driven workflows and NetApps are key drivers for drastically reducing service creation time, therefore making 5G and Beyond networks attractive for SMEs. Therefore, FIDAL considers them key in the future 5G evolution towards 6G and plans to pave the way for Beyond 5G NetApps, bringing together key ICT-41 projects from different vertical domains, building on their experiences with NetApps development, deployment and lifecycle management, and promoting cross-industry and interdisciplinary collaboration.

5G and 6G technologies have the potential to revolutionize various sectors by offering faster and more reliable wireless communication. Here are some ways in which 5G and 6G can help different verticals:

• Healthcare: Improved connectivity and low latency provided by 5G/6G can enhance telemedicine services, enabling doctors to perform VR assisted remote surgeries and real-time monitoring of patients. It can also facilitate the transfer of large medical data sets and enable the use of advanced technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in healthcare.
• Transportation: 5G/6G can support connected and autonomous vehicles by enabling faster communication between vehicles, traffic infrastructure, and the cloud. This can lead to enhanced road safety, efficient traffic management, and reduced congestion. Additionally, 5G/6G can enable vehicle-to-infrastructure communication for better navigation and predictive maintenance.
• Manufacturing: With ultra-low latency and high device density, 5G/6G can enable real-time monitoring and control of manufacturing processes. This can enhance automation, optimize production, and improve overall efficiency. It can also facilitate the implementation of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications for predictive maintenance and smart supply chain management.
• Entertainment and Media: 5G/6G can enhance the delivery of high-quality media content, including 4K/8K streaming, virtual reality experiences, and immersive gaming. It can provide seamless connectivity for live events, enable instant content sharing, and support personalized advertising based on user preferences.
• Smart Cities: 5G/6G can power various aspects of smart cities, including smart energy grids, intelligent transportation systems, smart surveillance, and environmental monitoring. It can enable real-time data analysis, efficient resource allocation, and improved public services, leading to more sustainable and livable urban environments.
• Agriculture: With 5G/6G, farmers can leverage real-time data analytics and remote monitoring to optimize irrigation, pest control, and crop management. It can enable the use of autonomous drones and robots for precision farming and livestock monitoring, resulting in increased productivity and reduced resource wastage.
• Education: 5G/6G can facilitate remote learning by providing high-speed internet access to students in remote areas. It can support interactive virtual classrooms, live streaming of lectures, and immersive educational experiences using AR/VR technologies. It can also enable better collaboration among students and educators through seamless communication.
• Retail: 5G/6G can enhance the retail experience by enabling personalized and interactive shopping. It can support cashier-less stores, smart shelves, and augmented reality applications for virtual try-ons. Additionally, it can enable efficient inventory management, supply chain optimization, and seamless mobile payments.
• The Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) sector, which includes emergency services, public safety organizations, and disaster response agencies, can greatly benefit from the capabilities of 5G and 6G technologies. Here are some ways in which these technologies can enhance the PPDR sector:
• Enhanced Communication: 5G/6G offers faster data transmission speeds and lower latency, enabling real-time communication between emergency personnel, command centers, and first responders. This allows for quicker decision-making, improved coordination, and more effective response during critical situations.
• Internet of Things (IoT) Integration: The PPDR sector can leverage the increased device density and connectivity of 5G/6G to deploy a vast array of IoT devices for improved situational awareness. Sensors, drones, cameras, and wearable devices can be interconnected, providing valuable data in real-time, such as environmental conditions, video feeds, and vital signs of responders.
• High-Quality Video and Data Transmission: With higher bandwidth and improved network capacity, 5G/6G can support high-quality video streaming, enabling real-time video surveillance and remote situational assessment. Emergency personnel can access live video feeds from various sources, enhancing their understanding of the situation and aiding in decision-making.
• Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): 5G/6G can enable the use of AR and VR technologies in training simulations and on-field operations. First responders can access real-time overlays of relevant information, such as building layouts or hazardous material locations, through AR glasses or heads-up displays. VR can be used for immersive training experiences, allowing responders to practice scenarios in a realistic virtual environment.
• Edge Computing and Data Analytics: 5G/6G networks can support edge computing, where data processing and analysis occur closer to the source. This enables real-time data analysis, reducing latency and allowing for quicker response times. Advanced analytics can help identify patterns, predict incidents, and provide actionable insights for better resource allocation and decision-making.
• Remote Medical Assistance: With the low latency and high bandwidth of 5G/6G, medical professionals can remotely assist first responders during emergencies. Real-time video consultations, transmission of medical data, and guidance for performing medical procedures can be facilitated, improving on-site medical care and potentially saving lives.
• Public Warning Systems: 5G/6G networks can enable efficient and widespread dissemination of emergency alerts and warnings. With the ability to reach a large number of devices simultaneously, emergency notifications can be delivered rapidly and accurately to the public, helping to ensure their safety during crises.
• Autonomous Vehicles and Drones: 5G/6G can support the deployment of autonomous vehicles and drones in emergency scenarios. These vehicles can be used for rapid response, remote sensing, and transportation of supplies or medical equipment to affected areas. High-speed, reliable communication is crucial for the safe and effective operation of these autonomous systems.

These are just a few examples, and the potential applications of 5G and 6G extend to many other sectors. The high-speed, low latency, and increased device density offered by these technologies have the power to transform industries and enable innovative solutions in the digital age.

FIDAL will leverage Evolved 5G experimentation infrastructure deployments to deliver a promise for increased bandwidth and low latency, thus accelerating development prototyping and growth for novel mobile video technologies and streaming services, representing a major opportunity for European SMEs to reduce the barrier to market penetration and hence enable the EU to stay competitive in the global 5G Evolved market.