Overview
The research and development of next-generation cyber infrastructure, represented by Beyond 5G/6G, which aims to be realized by the 2030s, cannot be achieved by a single country alone. Moreover, for industrial applications at the output stage, collaboration in the international standardization (or pre-standardization) of fundamental technologies and frequency usage is essential. Particularly critical is the collaboration between Europe, where standardization organizations and projects such as 3GPP, ITU, and ETSI are based, and Japan.
If this project is highly successful, it is expected to establish an international industry-academia collaboration hub between the University of Oulu, which collaborates with Nordic information and communication equipment vendors, and Japanese telecommunications companies. This will contribute to the formation of a Center of Excellence (COE) for industry-academia collaboration between allied nations in Europe and Asia.
In recent years, there has been increasing interest in research and development that contributes to economic security. While academia aims for open research, the industry strongly desires a single global standard from a cost-reduction perspective. Given the complexities of future globalization, academia must properly understand the significance of economic security and establish methods to advance academic theories that contribute to creating a safe and secure future social system in Japan. In this context, it is significant for Finland and Japan, both geopolitically similar, to form a COE for industry-academia collaboration as a strategic hub.
Initiatives
Strategy for International Industry-Academia Collaboration
Both countries have powerful global companies, making it possible to form a foundation for international industry-academia collaboration with universities as hubs. For Japan, collaboration with Nordic communication equipment vendors is essential, playing a crucial role in international standardization and frequency usage agreements. This field is also closely related to national radio wave policies, making discussions on legal frameworks through international collaboration between both countries very important.
Demonstration of Regional Revitalization Use Cases
Through a collaboration agreement with Yamanashi Prefecture, a local 5G demonstration experiment is ongoing to ensure safe and secure tourism at Mt. Fuji. In a satellite communication and local 5G interconnection experiment, Professor Matti Latva-aho from the University of Oulu, a Global Fellow and a joint researcher, participated in the experiment and spoke at an international symposium hosted by Yamanashi Prefecture. In this research project, we plan further joint experiments with the University of Oulu in the same region. In Finland, areas such as Lapland face communication challenges in remote regions. Through collaboration with the University of Oulu, we plan to conduct demonstration experiments to expand coverage for local communities. The experiments will also focus on local 6G deployment by municipalities to enhance coverage, address challenges such as rescue operations for missing persons, and collaborate on disaster prevention and mitigation.
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