Innovation and Collaboration in the 6G World
Recently we held an interview with FNS Partner IS-Wireless, a leading and innovative network solutions and technology provider. We spoke with Slawomir Pietrzyk, CEO and founder of IS-Wireless, and Adam Flizikowski, Head of Research and Innovation. During the interview, we discussed IS-Wireless's field of work, their role in the FNS program, and their vision for the future of 6G technology.
Introduction and Background
“IS-Wireless is a company focused on delivering 5G and later 6G network solutions and technologies, so we are in the same market as the big players like the Scandinavian and Chinese giants,” says Slawomir. The company develops telecommunications software incl. RAN - Radio Access Network which is the heart of modern mobile networks. IS-Wireless solutions work on the off-the-shelf hardware. Over the years, IS-Wireless has developed its own technologies and patents enabling network performance and efficiency improvements. Slawomir, the founder and CEO of IS-Wireless, has a background in research and earned his PhD at TU Delft. These academic ties have contributed to the company's strong connections with the Dutch research community.
Focus
IS-Wireless believes that network densification is necessary to meet future demands for bandwidth and speed. Network disaggregation is important for this. This can’t be achieved with the monolithic systems delivered by traditional vendors but can be done with the open networks which IS-Wireless delivers. Open networks are more flexible and efficient which reduces both costs and energy consumption. The IS-Wireless offering is labeled "Liquid RAN." This concept means that software can be flexibly distributed across different hardware equipment, leading to more efficient use of existing resources. Instead of adding new resources, IS-Wireless aims to improve performance by making optimal use of existing ones, which is a more sustainable approach. "The future of telecommunications lies in the disaggregation of networks," says Adam.
Collaboration and European Partners
IS-Wireless has extensive experience with European projects and emphasizes the importance of collaboration and efficient execution. The way the entire value chain around 6G is involved in the program makes it special. This collaborative, comprehensive approach is necessary to be successful and makes participation attractive. The company sees the FNS program as an opportunity to regain European leadership in 6G. Slawomir emphasizes that collaboration and sharing results are crucial for success in European projects. He praises the way the FNS program is managed and the strong vision and ambition that drives the program. Slawomir concludes: “The forward-thinking spirit and strong vision of the FNS program are exactly what Europe needs.”
Challenges and Opportunities
During the interview, the challenges of working in a large consortium with diverse partners were also discussed. The collaboration is going very well thanks to clear goals and efficient execution. Shared goals around usability and profitability create a ‘common language’.
Adam noted that the consortium consists of very diverse partners with different backgrounds, including network technology, applications, cloud, but also various sectoral end-users. This diversity is now a strength because it brings together different perspectives and expertise. The program is structured to serve both research needs and business interests, leading to synergistic collaboration. Adam also mentions the diverse ways in which partners are activated and involved in the program, contributing to a dynamic and productive working environment. There is reasonable engagement and focus given in the program to assure regular checkpoints and collaboration between different program lines to maximize synergies.
Contributions to the FNS Program
IS-Wireless is actively involved in multiple work packages within the FNS program, though the main contribution is in Program Line 2. They are also seeking to cross the borders between programs where it can add value to the project (e.g. for the PL4 in relation to discussions about testbeds and standardization). Adam explains that their work focuses on radio resource management, 6G architecture aspects (especially considering disaggregation, security and the requirements around RRM innovations), and AI-assisted orchestration. The company leads the task on AI-assisted network orchestration and contributes to the development of zero-trust security solutions.
Future Plans
The company is determined to contribute to the development of 6G and strengthen the strategic position of the Netherlands and Europe in this sector. They are enthusiastic about the forward-thinking spirit of the FNS program and the opportunity to contribute to the strategic position of the Netherlands in the 6G competition.
"We are in the process of establishing a subsidiary in the Netherlands to contribute even better," concludes Slawomir.
