The Future Communication Networks (FRONT) Research Group operates within the Media Networks Lab (MNL) at the Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications, NCSR Demokritos. As communication networks evolve, they are increasingly defined by softwarization—the shift from traditional hardware-based network functions to software-driven solutions. This transformation enhances flexibility and programmability, enabling the development of advanced vertical services.
FRONT’s research focuses on key areas such as:
Automated 6G/5G experimentation for KPI/KVI evaluation
Network openness and programmability for vertical industries
Cognitive AI for future communication networks
IoT-Edge-Cloud continuum and service mesh integration
Trustworthiness and user-centric design in 6G services
By leveraging these cutting-edge technologies, the FRONT Research Group contributes to the next generation of intelligent, adaptive, and efficient communication networks.
Within UNITY-6G, NCSRD will focus on network exposure and programmability through the development of a custom Network Exposure Function, fully compliant with 3GPP standards, which will expose APIs related to UE location and QoS handling of a user’s service. Moreover, NCSRD will provide a common API framework for the secure and standardized publication and exposure of UNITY-6G APIs.
NCSRD’s involvement in UNITY-6G represents a strategic move toward solidifying the center’s role as a key research and scientific contributor in the evolving domain of future 6G network architectures and O-RAN management systems. Through this participation, NCSR Demokritos will enhance its expertise in cutting-edge 6G technologies—such as rApps, xApps, NEF APIs, programmability of the core network, and relevant metrics monitoring.
The UNITY-6G project received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No 101192650. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
This work has received funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).