6G eXperimental Research
6G-XR is an EU-funded Horizon Europe research project under the SNS JU that operates a federated 6G testbed across Finland and Spain, validating next-generation XR use cases such as holographic communication, digital twins, and edge computing for research institutions, SMEs, and vertical innovators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersBrussels, Belgium
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What 6G eXperimental Research does
6G eXperimental Research (6G-XR) is a non-profit, EU-funded research project operating under the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) within the European Union's Horizon Europe programme (Grant Agreement No 101096838), with co-funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). The project is coordinated by Martel GmbH, a Swiss entity, and brings together 15 partners from 8 countries including University of Oulu, VTT, Nokia, Ericsson, Intel, Telefónica, i2CAT, Capgemini, InterDigital, Matsuko, Vicomtech, Raytrix, Martel Innovate, Imec, and Instituto de Telecomunicações. Its stated mission is to strengthen European leadership in 6G by building a multisite Research Infrastructure that validates next-generation XR use cases such as holographic communication, digital twins, XR/VR, multi-access edge computing, and network slicing.
The core technical deliverable is a federated European testbed spanning a North Node in Finland (University of Oulu and VTT) and a South Node in Spain (5TONIC and i2CAT), which exposes CAMARA-aligned Network-as-a-Service APIs for third-party experimentation. Platform components include an End-to-End Holographic Communication Platform with native IMS Data Channel-based calling integrated into smartphone dialers, an Automated Edge Selection System for multi-user XR, a Congestion Detection Function for adaptive bitrate control, an Energy-Aware RAN optimization layer, and a Co-Creative Cyber Studio for digital twin collaboration. The project also runs an Open Calls programme that has funded 30 third-party innovation projects across three waves spanning smart manufacturing, education, culture, mobility, and energy infrastructure.
6G-XR does not generate commercial revenue. It distributes grant funding and infrastructure access to third-party innovators through cascading finance, with no pricing model, no paying customers, and no product sales. Its GTM is research-community oriented: project website, newsletter, social channels (X, LinkedIn, YouTube), industry conferences (EuCNC, IEEE, NEM Summit), webinars, and live demonstrations at events like the October 2025 Impact Day in Madrid. The primary stakeholders are research institutions, SMEs, and vertical actors engaged through the Open Calls, alongside the SNS JU as the funding and policy parent.
6G eXperimental Research firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 6G eXperimental Research
- Legal name
- Martel GmbH
- Website
- https://6g-xr.eu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- 6G-XR is an EU-funded Horizon Europe research project under the SNS JU that operates a federated 6G testbed across Finland and Spain, validating next-generation XR use cases such as holographic communication, digital twins, and edge computing for research institutions, SMEs, and vertical innovators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
6G eXperimental Research industry classification
Industry- Product category
- 6G Telecommunications Research Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- XR/AR/VR/MR Development Frameworks & Toolchains (MPAFAFAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- vRAN & Open RAN Platforms (CU/DU, RIC, xApps/rApps) (HDAIAIAA), WebRTC & In-Browser Voice/Video (HDAIAHAH), Digital Experience Monitoring & Management (DEX/DEM, AIOps for EUC) (BPAEAIAF)
Keywords
Where 6G eXperimental Research is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brussels
- HQ country
- Belgium
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
6G eXperimental Research business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
6G eXperimental Research product offering
Product offeringCore offering
6G-XR operates a federated European Research Infrastructure spanning North Node (University of Oulu and VTT in Finland) and South Node (5TONIC and i2CAT in Spain) that serves as a validation platform for next-generation 6G use cases including holographic communication, digital twins, XR/VR applications, and multi-access edge computing. It funds third-party innovators through three waves of Open Calls (30 projects onboarded) and develops platform technologies such as the End-to-End Holographic Communication Platform with native IMS-based calling, Automated Edge Selection for multi-user XR, and Congestion Detection Function for adaptive bitrate control.
Product overview
6G-XR is an EU-funded research project under the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) that provides a unified multisite research infrastructure for validating next-generation XR (Extended Reality) services over 6G networks. The core offering is the federated testbed spanning North Node (Finland - University of Oulu/VTT) and South Node (Spain - 5TONIC/i2CAT), which enables validation of holographic communication, distributed XR collaboration, edge computing integration, and energy-aware networking. Key platform components include the End-to-End Holographic Communication Platform with native IMS-based calling, the Automated Edge Selection System for multi-user XR, and the Congestion Detection Function for adaptive bitrate control. The project supports third-party innovation through its Open Calls programme, which has funded 30 projects across three waves focusing on verticals including smart manufacturing, education, culture, mobility, and immersive visualization. The infrastructure exposes Network-as-a-Service APIs based on CAMARA standards for third-party experimentation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 6G-XR Multisite Research Infrastructure A federated European testbed extending across the North Node (University of Oulu and VTT, Finland) and South Node (5TONIC and i2CAT, Spain) that provides a validation platform for a multitude of foreseen extreme 6G use cases including holographic communication, digital twins, XR/VR applications, and multi-access edge computing scenarios. Intended for academic researchers, SMEs, and vertical-industry innovators engaged through the consortium and Open Calls.
- End-to-End Holographic Communication Platform Orchestrates the full pipeline for immersive content delivery, integrating capture, transmission, and rendering across the network. Supports real-time holographic communication with one-way hologram and synchronized two-way audio, including native IMS-based AR calling integrated into smartphone dialers. Intended for researchers, telecom operators, and immersive-application developers.
- Automated Edge Selection System Automatically selects the optimal edge node for each XR user to reduce latency and enable lightweight XR devices to operate smoothly in multi-user environments. Supports dynamic selection across distributed edge nodes in multiple administrative domains and instantiation of Interactive Remote Rendering functions at the Edge. Intended for XR application developers and telecom operators.
- Congestion Detection Function (CDF) Monitors cell-level telemetry to flag potential service degradation and enables dynamic adaptation of holographic session bitrates based on real-time congestion signals. Part of the Network-Aware Control Plane enabling QoS prioritization for adaptive holographic services. Exposed via CAMARA-based Network-as-a-Service APIs.
- Energy-Aware RAN and Application Optimization AI-driven system that aligns RAN behavior and application-level quality with renewable energy availability. Uses an accurate energy measurement framework to dynamically adjust RAN and video applications based on green energy availability, with AI/ML decision-making at a centralized controller to optimize QoS for video users and RAN energy-saving features within energy budget constraints.
- Co-Creative Cyber Studio Collaborative 3D design environment connected to real fabrication equipment, demonstrating how XR interfaces and 5G O-RAN infrastructure can support industrial digital twins. Enables multi-user remote collaboration and real-time control of R&D and manufacturing processes with QoS measurement.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30 innovation projects funded across 3 Open Call waves
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use 6G eXperimental Research
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
6G eXperimental Research technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability6 records
Feature7 records
6G eXperimental Research partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU)core6G-XR is part of the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) unit, receiving funding under the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement No 101096838). The project also received funding from Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
6G eXperimental Research competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- SNS JU (Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking): The parent European public-private partnership funding and coordinating all 6G research streams including 6G-XR. Provides the policy framework, funding vehicle, and portfolio coordination under which 6G-XR operates.
- Qualcomm Research (6G program): Runs large-scale 6G and XR/immersive communications research with global commercial reach. Comparable as a horizontally positioned incumbent with overlapping XR-over-next-gen-network research themes.
Direct peers
- IMEC: Consortium partner in 6G-XR and a leading European R&D center for advanced semiconductor and 6G hardware/software research. Comparable as a deep-tech research organization with overlapping XR, edge AI, and immersive comms programs.
- 5TONIC (IMDEA Networks): Hosts the South Node of the 6G-XR testbed and operates as an open 5G/6G laboratory for XR and edge applications. Comparable as a co-located European testbed facility with similar research priorities.
- i2CAT Foundation: Consortium partner operating the South Node and running independent 6G/XR research in Catalonia. Directly comparable as a regional digital research center engaged in advanced network experimentation.
- Hexa-X-II: Successor to Hexa-X, another SNS JU flagship 6G research project targeting immersive communication, AI-native networks, and sustainability. Directly comparable structure, funding source, and research scope as a co-funded 6G consortium.
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Operates the North Node of the 6G-XR testbed and runs parallel 6G/edge/XR research programs under its own mandate. Comparable as a public research institute running 6G experimentation infrastructure.
- InterDigital: Consortium partner in 6G-XR with parallel XR/video codec, immersive communications, and 6G standardization research. Directly comparable as a research-driven participant in advanced wireless and immersive media.
- Hexa-X (Ericsson-led 6G flagship): European Horizon-funded 6G flagship project similarly focused on next-generation network research, XR enablers, and standardization, with overlapping partner ecosystem including Ericsson. Direct comparable as a sister EU 6G research initiative under SNS JU.
Regional players
- Next G Alliance (ATIS): North American industry-led initiative defining the next-generation (6G) network roadmap with comparable XR/immersive use-case focus. Comparable as a regional 6G coordination body in a different geography.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
6G eXperimental Research social profiles
Digital presence6G eXperimental Research financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
6G eXperimental Research leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
6G eXperimental Research funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
6G eXperimental Research M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about 6G eXperimental Research
What does 6G eXperimental Research do?
6G-XR operates a federated European Research Infrastructure spanning North Node (University of Oulu and VTT in Finland) and South Node (5TONIC and i2CAT in Spain) that serves as a validation platform for next-generation 6G use cases including holographic communication, digital twins, XR/VR applications, and multi-access edge computing. It funds third-party innovators through three waves of Open Calls (30 projects onboarded) and develops platform technologies such as the End-to-End Holographic Communication Platform with native IMS-based calling, Automated Edge Selection for multi-user XR, and Congestion Detection Function for adaptive bitrate control.
Is 6G eXperimental Research a public or private company?
6G eXperimental Research is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was 6G eXperimental Research founded?
6G eXperimental Research was founded in 2023. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is 6G eXperimental Research based?
6G eXperimental Research is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, in the Europe region.
Who are 6G eXperimental Research's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are SNS JU (Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking) and Qualcomm Research (6G program). Direct peers are IMEC, 5TONIC (IMDEA Networks), i2CAT Foundation, Hexa-X-II, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, InterDigital and Hexa-X (Ericsson-led 6G flagship). Next G Alliance (ATIS) is listed as a regional player.
Does 6G eXperimental Research have an API?
Yes. 6G-XR exposes Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) APIs for third-party experimentation in 6G test facilities. The project specifically mentions CAMARA APIs as open APIs that operators can expose to enable smarter services for third-party XR developers. A Congestion Detection Function (CDF) capable of monitoring cell-level telemetry is exposed via these APIs. A Network-Aware Control Plane dynamically adapts bitrate of holographic sessions based on real-time congestion signals.
What industry is 6G eXperimental Research in?
6G eXperimental Research's product category is 6G Telecommunications Research Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAFAF, XR/AR/VR/MR Development Frameworks & Toolchains, with a secondary code of HDAIAIAA, vRAN & Open RAN Platforms (CU/DU, RIC, xApps/rApps). Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7373.