To deliver on our European 6G vision for the 2030s, and to tackle opportunities and challenges of increasing magnitude, e.g., sustainability, trustworthiness, green deal efficiency, digital inclusion, there is need for a flagship project, towards the elaboration of a holistic 6G network platform and system. To fill this need, Hexa-X-II is proposed with the ambition of being this flagship project, and of inspiring the world for digital transformation through novel 6G services. Hexa-X-II will work, beyond enabler-oriented research, to optimized systemization, early validation, and proof-of-concept; work will progress from the 6G key enablers that connect the human, physical, and digital worlds, as explored in Hexa-X, to advanced technology readiness levels, including key aspects of modules / protocols / interfaces / data. Hexa-X II includes: (a) the provision of advanced / refined use cases, services, and requirements, ensuring value for society; (b) the delivery of the 6G platform blueprint, which will encompass enhanced connectivity for 6G services, mechanisms realizing the “networks beyond communications” vision (sensing, computing, trustworthy AI), efficient network management schemes; (c) the realization of extended validation at system and component level; (d) actions for global impact, while assuring strategic autonomy in critical areas for the EU. Europe is starting from the pole position with 6G research and is leading wireless network technologies today. Now is the time to leverage our joint research ambition with a flagship project that will lead the R&D effort towards end-to-end systemization and validation. The Hexa-X-II flagship is a unique effort and a holistic vision, of a 6G system of integrated technology enablers, which accomplish “beyond the sum of the parts”, and of a “network beyond communications” platform for disruptive economic / environmental / societal impact; these are vital for establishing the European 6G technology leadership!

The 6G-NTN project aims at researching and developing innovative technical, business, regulatory, and standardization enablers to achieve full and seamless integration of the Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) component into the 6G system and establish the European leadership in this domain. The vision is to extend coverage, resilience, and sustainability of next generation mobile networks, meeting needs and expectations of both vertical and consumer market segments, while unleashing new value chains and creating broad societal impact. The proposed concept of full-fledged integration of the NTN component into 6G leverages multiple key project outcomes that will pave the way for a service roll-out in the 2030-35 time frame: - a sustainable and resilient 3D multi-layered (GSO, NGSO, HAPS, drones) network architecture. - a software defined payload adapted to all flying platforms and all frequency bands - a very low Earth orbiting space segment - a flexible waveform supporting terrestrial and non-terrestrial deployments. - the support of smart phones and vehicle/drone mounted terminals - the use of new spectrum (i.e. C and Q/V bands) in coexistence with the terrestrial network component - high accuracy and reliable positioning solutions. The newly designed NTN component will deliver: i.e. uRLLC (latency < 10 ms) and advanced eMBB (data rate up to several hundred of Mbps) services to vehicle, drone mounted ultra-small size devices, and battery activated nomadic terminals; ii. improved eMBB services to smartphones; iii. short emergency messaging services to smartphones in light indoor/in-vehicle environments; and iv. high accuracy (<10 cm) and reliable location service to both devices categories. By pulling together leading players across all involved industrial, research and innovation areas, the 6G-NTN ambition is to become the flagship R&I project to define the 6G NTN component and to drive its standardization in 3GPP.