Future research challenges in the communication networks area
The way beyond 2013: Multi-stakeholder consultation
Horizon 2020 - the future Framework Programme for Research and Innovation
The debate on the post-2013 budget for the European Union has already started. The European Commission is currently working on proposals for all its funding programmes, including support for research and innovation. In this context, the European Commission is preparing HORIZON2020 - the future Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. This will be proposed for decision to the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament by the end of 2011.
Future research challenges in the communication networks area
The HORIZON2020 debate is a key milestone in defining priorities for future EU research. In parallel and in complement to the activities aiming at defining the overall strategic framework for EU research and innovation, the Future Networks unit is on the way to establish the targets in the specific field of research in communication networks technologies for the next years.
To this end, the Future Networks Unit launched a dialogue with the research community via a multi-stakeholder consultation process.
The main findings shall support the preparation of both:
- the last work programme of FP7 (WP 2013) and
- the definition of the challenges to be addressed in the future HORIZON2020 research programme
for the communication networks area.
Consultation workshop on future research challenges in the communication networks area, 29th – 30th June 2011, Brussels
As part of this consultation process, a panel of selected and recognized experts were brought together in a workshop held in Brussels, in June 2011, to discuss the future research challenges in the communication networks area. Sixteen leading experts from academia and the ICT industry attended this workshop and presented their views through position papers and/or presentations and took part in open panel discussions.
The main questions addressed:
• What are, from your perspective, the main trends affecting research and innovation in the communication networks area?
• What are the main scientific and technical evolutions you envision between now and 2020, as well as beyond?
• What specific barriers or challenges have to be overcome or taken up?
• How does this reflect in terms of research topics to be addressed in the coming years (2013-2020)? Which ones are relevant at the EU level?
The outcomes of this workshop are captured in a report, that briefly and crisply extracts the principal main issues arising during discussion.