NOKIA SOLUTIONS AND NETWORKS OY

Their core work

Nokia Solutions and Networks is the R&D arm of Nokia focused on mobile and wireless network infrastructure, designing the radio access, core network, and edge computing technologies that underpin 5G and future 6G systems. Within H2020, they contribute wireless system architecture design, radio resource management algorithms, and large-scale 5G testbed infrastructure for vertical industry trials including automotive, drones, and IoT. They bridge fundamental wireless research (millimeter-wave, D-band, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces) with real-world network deployment and performance validation. Their work directly shapes how European mobile operators and industry verticals will build and use next-generation wireless networks.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2015–2017, Nokia SNF focused squarely on foundational 5G radio design — network architecture (5G NORMA, METIS-II), air interface standards (FANTASTIC-5G), and millimeter-wave propagation (mmMAGIC), essentially building the blueprint for European 5G. From 2018 onward, the focus shifted decisively toward deploying 5G for specific industries (automotive in 5GCAR/PRYSTINE, drones in 5G!Drones, cross-sector testbeds in 5G-VINNI) and simultaneously pushing into post-5G research with AI-driven wireless (ARIADNE), reconfigurable surfaces (META WIRELESS), and 6G vision (Hexa-X). The trajectory is clear: from designing 5G standards to operating 5G infrastructure for verticals, and now leading the European 6G research agenda.

Nokia SNF is positioning itself as a 6G architecture leader — their coordination of Hexa-X signals they intend to shape the European 6G roadmap the way they helped define 5G.

How they like to work

Nokia SNF operates almost exclusively as a consortium partner (17 of 18 projects), contributing deep technical expertise to large research alliances rather than leading them — until Hexa-X, where they stepped up to coordinate the EU's flagship 6G vision project. With 312 unique partners across 33 countries, they function as a network hub connecting a vast web of telecom operators, equipment vendors, universities, and vertical industry players. This makes them an exceptionally well-connected partner: joining a consortium with Nokia SNF means access to one of the largest collaborative networks in European wireless research.

With 312 unique consortium partners across 33 countries, Nokia SNF has one of the broadest collaborative networks in European ICT research. Their partnerships span the full telecom ecosystem — from chipmakers and device vendors to network operators, universities, and automotive OEMs.

What sets them apart

Nokia SNF brings something rare: deep involvement in every generation of mobile network research from 5G foundations through 6G visioning, combined with the engineering capacity of a major equipment vendor to move from paper concepts to real testbed deployments. Unlike university partners who contribute theory, or SMEs who provide niche components, Nokia SNF can validate entire network architectures end-to-end — as demonstrated by their EUR 1.8M role in 5G-VINNI's infrastructure. Their coordination of Hexa-X also signals that the European Commission trusts them to set the technical direction for next-generation wireless, making them a strategic anchor partner for any consortium targeting B5G/6G funding calls.

Highlights from their portfolio

• Hexa-X
  Nokia SNF's only coordinator role — the EU's flagship 6G vision project, signaling their transition from participant to agenda-setter in next-generation wireless.
• 5G-VINNI
  Their largest single project (EUR 1.8M) building an end-to-end 5G test facility for vertical industry validation and KPI benchmarking.
• 5G!Drones
  Demonstrated an unusual convergence of 5G infrastructure with UAV traffic management and network slicing — a high-growth application area connecting telecom with aerospace.