As Europe races toward the 6G era, researchers, engineers, and policymakers are reimagining connectivity—not just as a matter of speed and technology, but as a force for social inclusion, ethics, and sustainability. The ambition is clear: to ensure the next digital revolution truly serves people and the planet.
At the forefront of this movement is Dr. Monique Calisti, an Italian engineer and CEO of Martel Innovate, a Swiss-based digital innovation firm. She also founded Digital for Planet, a non-profit focused on promoting ethical and sustainable digital technologies. “I feel a strong responsibility to build a digital world that my daughters can be proud of—one that’s inclusive, fair, and environmentally sound,” said Calisti.
Her team currently leads 6G4Society, a two-year European project aiming to shape 6G networks with human and ecological values at their core. While 5G networks are still being rolled out across Europe, 6G is projected to arrive by 2030, offering lightning-fast speeds, ultra-low latency, and enhanced reliability. This will enable groundbreaking innovations—from remote surgeries and autonomous vehicles to real-time environmental monitoring and immersive 3D holographic communication.
Yet, as Calisti points out, technological advancement must not come at the cost of public trust. The rollout of 5G was met with public skepticism over health, privacy, and environmental impacts. Learning from that experience, 6G4Society is involving citizens, social scientists, and civil society organizations early in the process to make sure people’s concerns and expectations are integrated into development.
The initiative is part of a broader European Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking, a €1.8 billion public-private partnership supporting 5G and 6G innovation between 2021 and 2027. The program funds research in network technologies, cybersecurity, cloud systems, and sustainable microelectronics, helping Europe maintain a technological edge while embedding ethical governance.
Social scientists like Dr. Katrina Petersen from Public Safety Communication Europe are also contributing critical insights. By studying how emergency responders communicate during crises such as wildfires or floods, Petersen’s team helps shape 6G solutions that truly meet society’s real-world needs, such as better interoperability and communication resilience.
To ensure broad participation, 6G4Society researchers are surveying Europeans on their perceptions of 5G and hopes for 6G. The findings show a generational divide: younger people prioritize environmental sustainability, while older citizens focus more on privacy and data protection. Interestingly, most respondents remain optimistic about 6G, expecting it to improve access to information and global connectivity.
Sustainability, however, goes far beyond energy efficiency. Calisti emphasizes the importance of tackling e-waste, rare mineral mining, and environmental footprint, ensuring 6G development does not compromise ecological integrity.
Conclusion: Europe’s 6G journey is about more than faster networks—it’s about shaping a responsible, inclusive, and sustainable digital future. Through initiatives like 6G4Society, Europe is proving that technology can be both advanced and ethical, blending innovation with empathy. As policymakers and researchers continue to collaborate, the continent’s next-generation networks could redefine not only connectivity but also community and conscience.
