Amid global crises and geopolitical challenges, Europe is moving toward a digital and sustainable future. However, as the European share of the global information and communications technology (ICT) market continues to decline, urgent measures are needed to ensure technological sovereignty there. The Celtic Next Flagship project SUSTAINET addresses this multifaceted challenge by focusing on resilience, energy efficiency, sustainability, and security of high-performance end-to-end networks. The seamless interconnection of digital systems, which is essential for future high-performance communication networks, requires research in the field of ICT hardware and its control software. The transition to a "digital society" to an increased dependence on ICT for power management, underscoring the need for resilient, scalable network technologies combined with support for new services such as cognitive and full context awareness. This network resilience is especially crucial for critical infrastructures and requires new concepts to ensure communication continuity in the event of failures and disasters. Such networks require secure networks with robust cybersecurity measures to combat emerging threats. Furthermore, sustainability is crucial for achieving a carbon-neutral future. Telecommunications networks must not only prioritize connectivity but also serve as platforms for a sustainable society. Operators must, among other things, adapt to the fluctuating availability of renewable energy and transform from consumers to prosumers in the energy market. To achieve these goals and regain technological sovereignty, joint research and development efforts are essential. Government support and industry initiatives must work together to drive innovation in key technologies and promote industrial collaboration and joint research and development initiatives. This global research project proposes a holistic approach that integrates research in the areas of seamless network performance, resilience, security, and sustainability to lead Europe into a sustainable and technologically sovereign future.
Partners
- Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Künstliche Intelligenz GmbH
- Deutsche Telekom AG
- Adva Network Security GmbH
- genua GmbH
- RWTH Aachen
- Technische Universität Dresden
- Universitätsmedizin Leipzig
- Charité Berlin
- Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.v., Fraunhofer Fokus
- Rheinland-Pfälzisch Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau
- NXP Semiconductors Germany GmbH
- Gesellschaft für wissenschaftliche Datenverarbeitung mbH Göttingen
- Technische Universität Berlin
