Towards responsible 6G: Europe’s commitment to sustainable innovation

This article explores Europe’s commitment to responsible 6G, focused on sustainable innovation. It highlights key projects and initiatives in which Orange is a contributor, such as Hexa-X-II and Sustain6G, which aim to integrate environmental, social, and economic sustainability into the design of future networks. Sofrecom has supported Orange Innovation teams across the different stages of these projects and in internal knowledge capitalization to support future research activities.

Europe at the heart of the transition to responsible 6G

Europe is actively preparing for the arrival of 6G through the SNS (Smart Networks and Services) programme. This initiative aims to support the development of European industrial leadership in 5G and 6G, while strengthening the continent’s technological sovereignty. Public and private funding is substantial, with nearly €1.8 billion allocated between 2021 and 2030 to support research, development, and standardization.

European projects such as Hexa-X-II² and Sustain6G³ play a key role in shifting the mindset toward responsible 6G. These initiatives aim to define use cases, sustainability indicators, and business models integrating sustainability. They promote a design approach centered on sustainability, value maximization, and the creation of standards and policies to support technological development. These projects illustrate Europe’s commitment to a responsible and innovative 6G.

Orange plays a central role, acting as sustainability leader in Hexa-X-II and technical manager in Sustain6G. Its message to the ecosystem is clear: value and sustainability must be the core drivers in defining future network technologies. It is also essential to reconsider generation-based (G) terminology, as research shows a shift toward usage- and value-driven networks rather than purely technology-driven evolution. Open research and innovation are essential to achieving global standards. Furthermore, the involvement of European stakeholders in these projects, as well as in standardization bodies such as 3GPP and industry fora, is key to shaping future technologies.

From technology to value: toward sustainable 6G network innovation

Telecommunications are entering an unprecedented acceleration phase, driven by AI/ML, cloud, platforms, and quantum technologies. This dynamic creates major opportunities for individuals, enterprises, and society. It also introduces critical challenges such as environmental impact, sustainability, and trust.

In this context, Hexa-X-II structured its research around six families of use cases⁴, analyzed through both value and technical perspectives:

Sustain6G complements this approach by focusing on intelligent and energy-efficient solutions⁵. These include AI-driven orchestration, digital twins, and real-time monitoring. These technologies will optimize operations and improve resource efficiency. By embedding sustainability at the core of design, leveraging advanced innovations, and aligning with global standards and societal expectations, 6G becomes a driver of responsible digital transformation.

To measure sustainability concretely, Hexa-X-II developed a methodology for assessing 6G value based on the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic. To operationalize this, Sustain6G defines a multidimensional framework based on Key Performance Indicators (KPI)⁷ and Key Value Indicators (KVI)⁸. This framework captures and balances environmental, economic, and societal priorities while maintaining technical performance. By making trade-offs transparent and engaging stakeholders, it enables informed, value-based decision-making that reconciles shared objectives and competing constraints.

Conclusion: responsible 6G as a driver of sustainable growth for european telecom networks

6G will not simply be a technological evolution, but an opportunity to redefine priorities in the telecommunications sector. By placing value and sustainability at the core of its design, Europe is engaging in an approach that goes beyond the traditional technological race. 6G, in an intent-driven approach, must deliver new services—particularly through cloud and AI—to address challenges related to resilience, security, and efficiency.

In this dynamic, Orange and Sofrecom make a concrete and structuring contribution: co-development of key deliverables within Hexa-X-II, dissemination of a societal dialogue methodology, alignment with Orange Innovation’s 2025 CSR priorities, and delivery of Sustainability RAN work within Sustain6G.

Responsible 6G is not a constraint, but a lever for inclusive and sustainable growth. By aligning with global standards and mobilizing the European ecosystem, this vision driven by committed actors can become an inspiring model for future technologies.

FAQ: responsible 6G, sustainable innovation and future telecom networks

1. What is responsible 6G?

Responsible 6G is a design approach for future networks that integrates environmental, social, and economic sustainability from the early stages of research and development.

2. What are the main European 6G projects?

Key projects include Hexa-X-II and Sustain6G, which define use cases, sustainability indicators, and future 6G standards in Europe.

3. How does 6G integrate sustainability?

6G integrates sustainability through KPI and KVI frameworks that measure environmental, economic, and societal impact from the design phase.

4. What is the role of Orange and Sofrecom in 6G?

Orange and Sofrecom actively contribute to European 6G projects by co-developing sustainability frameworks, use cases, and telecom innovation methodologies.

^{1The European Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) website}

^{2Hexa X-II website}

^{3Sustain6G website}

^{4D1.2: 6G uses cases and requirements}

^{5D2.1: Sustainability baseline, UCs, and baseline requirements}

^{6D1.4 : 6G Value, Requirements and Ecosystem}

^{7Key Performance Indicators}

^{8Key Value Indicators}