France 2030 plan : launch of the “Networks of the Future” research and 5G

A new research program (PEPR), “Networks of the Future” led by CNRS, the CEA and Institut Mines-Télécom (IMT) was launched on 10 July in the presence of Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister Delegate for the Digital Transition and Telecommunications. As part of the France 2030 plan and its “5G and Networks of the Future” acceleration strategy, the CEA, CNRS and IMT are leading “upstream” research aimed at supporting the development of 5G and 6G while assessing their environmental impacts. This program has a budget of €65 million provided by France 2030 over six years.

Within France 2030, 5G and future telecom network technologies have been identified as a target market with high growth potential in which France has strong capabilities. In July 2021, the French government launched a dedicated acceleration strategy to make 5G a tool for industrial competitiveness and bring France to the forefront of future networks technologies. As part of this strategy, the government has decided to support R&D activity through the “Networks of the Future” research program.

With a budget of €65 million provided by France 2030, ten target projects and three rounds of calls for projects and expressions of interest, the CEA, CNRS and IMT have adopted a multidisciplinary, multisector approach covering the entire value chain for 5G and networks of the future, supporting cuttingedge research and development in France. In addition to working on telecommunication aspects to support the coming digital revolution with intelligent networks, the research will incorporate environmental and societal impacts.

This program is based on four priorities : developing 5G uses making the French economy more competitive; developing sovereign French solutions; consolidating research and development on future network generations; enhancing training offerings and attracting international talent.

It is divided into 4 project groups :

• Network architectures and services
• End-to-end systems
• Technological components
• Platforms and demonstrators for future networks

The various projects launched through the program will be run by the National Research Agency.