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As global research accelerates toward 6G networks, a European initiative called 6G4Society is rethinking what “next-generation connectivity” should mean. Instead of focusing solely on faster speeds or lower latency, the project aims to ensure that future networks are sustainable, inclusive, and aligned with social and environmental values.
Supported by the EU’s Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU), 6G4Society integrates social science, policy, and engineering to make sustainability a measurable part of 6G innovation. Its central question is not just how the technology will work, but why it should be built, and for whose benefit.
The project’s approach places sustainability and public trust at the heart of development. New frameworks, such as the Acceptance Models of 6G Technology, are being used to evaluate how emerging technologies align with ethics, fairness, and inclusivity. Instead of measuring progress only through technical indicators like throughput or power efficiency, these models introduce “value-based” metrics that track social and environmental impact.
According to the Innovation News Network, public engagement also plays a key role. A Europe-wide Citizen Survey, conducted in nine languages, gathered responses from over 1,800 participants about their expectations and concerns regarding 6G. The findings reveal optimism about improved connectivity, tempered by worries over environmental cost and digital inequality. Across all age groups, respondents highlighted ecological responsibility, fair access, and transparency as core priorities for future networks.
To translate these insights into action, 6G4Society promotes the use of Key Value Indicators (KVIs) and Key Sustainability Indicators (KSIs), which are new benchmarks designed to assess factors such as energy use, material efficiency, inclusiveness, and trust. These tools are intended to complement traditional performance metrics and help policymakers determine whether technology investments deliver genuine social and environmental benefits.
Ultimately, 6G4Society is redefining how connectivity progress is measured. Its mission reflects a broader European vision: a 6G ecosystem that advances innovation not only through technical excellence but through its contribution to sustainability, equity, and shared prosperity.
The 6G4Society site can be found here.
