The United States and Sweden have issued a joint statement emphasizing their commitment to advancing cooperation in advanced wireless technologies, particularly focusing on 6G telecommunications. The statement, released by the U.S. Department of State and the Kingdom of Sweden Ministry for Foreign Affairs, underscores the critical role of wireless communications in modern societies and highlights the need for continuous technological advancement.
The two nations acknowledge that requirements for wireless technologies are steadily increasing, necessitating both technical and regulatory advancements. They also underline the potential for collaboration between governments, academia, private sectors, and innovation ecosystems.
The joint statement recalls a commitment made by President Biden and Prime Minister Kristersson during their meeting on July 5, 2023, to deepen research in 6G telecommunications. It also welcomes a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. National Science Foundation, the Swedish Research Council, and Vinnova (the Swedish Agency for Innovation Systems) to collaborate on research-intensive areas including 6G.
Recognizing that R&D efforts are shifting towards advanced 5G and beyond, both countries emphasize international cooperation's importance in addressing economic, environmental, and social impacts associated with wireless networks. They advocate promoting open and interoperable architectures such as open radio access networks to ensure resilient, secure, inclusive, and sustainable technology development.
To advance this agenda:
1. Both countries will identify synergies to create a joint ecosystem for research and development in 6G technology. This includes making use of new spectrum allocations for future services/technologies while encouraging global harmonization of frequency bands.
2. They will support pathways to cultivate wireless communications that impact economic growth positively while addressing environmental and societal challenges through scientific research cooperation.
Furthermore, they intend to leverage an existing Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation signed in Stockholm on June 29, 2006. This agreement will serve as an operational framework for ongoing collaboration outlined in this joint statement.
Both nations confirm their mutual interest in regular engagement focused on next-generation communications technologies like 6G for their mutual benefit as well as that of the global community.
