Open6GHub+ is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and is part of the German 6G programme. The project, which continues the work of its successfully completed predecessor Open6Ghub, responds specifically to changing social and geopolitical conditions, in particular the increased need for technological sovereignty, resilient critical infrastructures and trustworthy digital systems. Close cooperation with industry, start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, public authorities and other public actors is a central element of this.

The project spokesperson at TU Darmstadt is Professor Anja Klein, Head of the Communication Technology Group in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. Also involved are Professor Matthias Hollick (Secure Mobile Networks), Professor Vahid Jamali (Resilient Communication Systems), Professor Marius Pesavento (Communications Engineering Systems) and Professor Björn Scheuermann (Communication Networks).

One of Open6GHub+'s main areas of focus is the comprehensive integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into 6G. It is investigating both AI-based network functions and the use of generative and hybrid AI in the development, implementation and specification of future mobile communications technologies. This is complemented by the development of AI-based cyber-physical twins and new intelligent services enabled by 6G as a networking backbone.

In addition, Open6GHub+ addresses the integration of non-terrestrial networks into future mobile communications architectures. The convergence of terrestrial networks with satellites and flying platforms into so-called 3D networks is intended to enable ubiquitous, resilient and uninterrupted connectivity – especially for applications in industry, mobility, logistics, agriculture and critical infrastructures.

Other priorities include laying the foundations for the development of intelligent 6G modems ‘Made in Europe’ in the areas of end devices and non-terrestrial networks, as well as for the development of autonomous 6G sub-networks, which must meet very high application-specific requirements in terms of resilience, security and trustworthiness.

‘With Open6GHub+, we are taking the decisive step from 6G research to implementation,’ explains Professor Hans Schotten, coordinator of the project, professor at the Rhineland-Palatinate Technical University Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU) and scientific director at the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI). ‘Our aim is to work with industry to develop robust, transferable solutions at an early stage – from AI-supported 6G networks to new 3D network architectures. In this way, we are making a concrete contribution to the technological sovereignty of Germany and Europe.’

The work in Open6GHub+ is organised in a mission-oriented manner and is accompanied by industry partners to ensure a consistent focus on results and transfer. Key results are tested in open experimental fields and OpenLabs and made available to industry at an early stage.

The launch of Open6GHub+ implements a key instrument of the 6G research roadmap published by the BMFTR at the end of 2025. The roadmap explicitly envisages the establishment of 6G transfer hubs as a link between excellent research, industrial application, standardisation and qualification. Open6GHub+ assumes this role by further developing existing research infrastructures, establishing transfer-oriented ecosystems and providing targeted support for the transition from research to economic and social impact.