Taiwan's ITRI Leads Global 6G Partnerships in the EU and UK
Promoting Global 6G Partnerships: Taiwan's ITRI
In a significant move to advance the development of Taiwan's 6G technology, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) has spearheaded a delegation of government officials, industry leaders, and academics to the EuCNC 6G 2025 Summit. This event stands as one of Europe's premier gatherings focused on next-generation communication technologies.
During the summit, ITRI co-hosted a Joint UK-Taiwan Workshop on 6G Technologies and Future Networks at the University of Cambridge. This collaboration involved key players such as the UK Federation of Telecommunications (UK FTH) and the UK Telecommunications Innovation Network (UKTIN). The workshop highlighted the UK's flagship 6G programs, namely the Towards 6G Through Telecommunications and Networks Integration (TITAN) and the Joint Open Infrastructure for Experimentation and Research (JOINER).
Both nations brought together telecommunications leaders to explore strategic areas such as Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), Open Radio Access Networks (RAN), AI-native networks, Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC), and Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS). These discussions aim to foster accelerated innovation and lay down a solid foundation for a global 6G innovation ecosystem.
The Cambridge workshop attracted notable stakeholders including the UK's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), UKTIN, and BT Group. Representatives from Taiwan included the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT), the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), major tech firms like MediaTek and Compal, as well as academic institutions such as National Chung Cheng University and National Tsing Hua University.
According to Pang-An Ting, Vice President of ITRI and Director General of the Information and Communications Research Laboratories, openness has been a core principle since the advent of 5G. He emphasized that ITRI continues to collaborate with industry and academic institutions to propel the development of Open RAN, establishing a robust foundation for the next generation of 6G technologies.
ITRI is also constructing a dedicated 6G testing network and plans to showcase Taiwan's progress in a public demonstration scheduled for 2026. Ting invited global partners to participate in joint tests and contribute to the validation of key 6G technologies.
Catherine Page, Deputy Director of DSIT, reinforced the UK's commitment to advancing next-generation digital technologies, citing achievements in 5G deployment and an increasing focus on future networks. She highlighted the value of strong international alliances, particularly with Taiwan in areas like semiconductors and Open RAN, expressing enthusiasm for deeper cooperation between the two nations.
Professor Harald Haas from the University of Cambridge stressed the importance of real-world testing to translate innovation into market-ready solutions. He recognized the complementary capabilities of UK R&D with Taiwan's robust ICT supply chain, offering significant long-term potential for mutual success in 6G development.
Concluding the workshop, both Taiwan and the UK reaffirmed their dedication to advancing NTN, Open RAN, and AI-native networks. The UK underscored its focus on fundamental R&D and open-source innovation, while Taiwan presented a comprehensive strategy for 6G development, leveraging its strengths in semiconductors and open supply chains. Both parties committed to expanding joint testing platforms and deepening cooperation to accelerate global deployment of 6G technologies.
At the EuCNC 6G Summit, ITRI signed memoranda of understanding with the EU's 6G-SENSES project and the Dutch research organization TNO, broadening collaborative efforts in ISAC and RIS technology verification, and aligning with global standardization initiatives.
As part of its global outreach, ITRI also announced three major cross-border collaborations, including an MOU with Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT) and Taiwanese firm YTTEK to co-develop a smart manufacturing metaverse solution, which will be validated in Fraunhofer's testing ground. This initiative demonstrates Taiwan's strength in applying advanced technologies to practical real-world applications.
The Taiwanese 6G technology delegation was composed of representatives from DoIT, NSTC, ITRI, and several leading universities and industries, highlighting Taiwan’s integrated efforts in advancing 6G initiatives. ITRI showcased its FORMOSA-6G initiative, encompassing AI-RAN technology, chip development, and comprehensive testing platforms. A dedicated 6G testing network is set to be launched this year at ITRI’s Hsinchu campus, serving as an international collaboration hub.
About ITRI
The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is a leading global R&D organization aimed at fostering technological innovations for a better social future. Established in 1973, ITRI has played a pivotal role in transforming Taiwan’s industries from labor-intensive to innovation-driven. Focused on market needs and global trends, ITRI has launched its 2035 Technology Strategy and Roadmap targeting innovations in smart living, quality health, sustainable environment, and resilient society. Over the years, ITRI has been instrumental in nurturing startups and spin-offs, including well-known companies like UMC and TSMC. Apart from its headquarters in Taiwan, ITRI has branches in the US, Germany, the UK, Japan, and Thailand to expand its R&D reach and promote international collaboration.