Thibaut Kleiner: “Advanced Connectivity Is Critical to Europe’s Technological Leadership”
On 4 June, at the Opening of the EuCNC & 6G Summit 2025, Thibaut Kleiner, Chair of the SNS JU Governing Board and General Chair of the Conference, shared an inspiring vision for the future of European connectivity. Through a special video message, he addressed the critical challenges and opportunities Europe faces in the global race for technological leadership.
Representing the European Commission and the broader vision of the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU), his address set the tone for the conference by calling for greater alignment between technological innovation, industrial competitiveness, and societal values.
In his speech, Mr. Kleiner emphasized the strategic role of 6G development, the importance of aligning funding, regulation, and research priorities, and the need for public-private partnerships like the SNS JU to deliver on Europe’s ambitions. His address also touched on broader issues—from industrial competitiveness to digital sovereignty – highlighting the importance of coordinated EU action in shaping the next generation of network technologies.
Watch the full video:
A Shifting Global Landscape: Thibaut Kleiner highlighted the urgent global context – marked by geopolitical tensions, economic security risks, and growing technological competition from global powers. He stressed the need for Europe to protect and grow its capabilities in critical areas like 6G, cloud, AI, and microelectronics.
6G as a Strategic Enabler: Connectivity is not just about infrastructure – it’s a foundation for innovation. Thibaut Kleiner emphasized that advanced connectivity, powered by 6G, is essential for Europe’s digital transformation, enabling cloud-native services, real-time data analytics, and AI.
Europe’s Gaps and Strengths: Acknowledging Europe’s current challenges – such as fragmented markets and lagging 5G deployment – he also underlined its remaining strengths, including leadership in 6G R&I and the role of SNS JU in driving these efforts.
Policy Momentum and the Way Forward: Looking ahead, Thibaut Kleiner referenced key upcoming initiatives, including the Digital Networks Act and the Cloud and AI Development Act, calling for better monetization of 5G and 6G, earlier vertical integration, and smarter regulation to strengthen Europe’s position.
The Role of SNS JU: Thibaut Kleiner praised the SNS JU as the EU’s “key instrument” for fostering collaboration and innovation in smart networks and services, aligning public-private investment, and ensuring that Europe doesn’t just develop the technology – but leads its global deployment.
Conclusion: “Let us make sure that 6G doesn’t repeat the 5G story,” Kleiner concluded. “We have the technology, the vision, and the tools – now we need the strategy to scale it.”
[Read the full speech here – PDF Download]
