6G-TakeOff Propels Deutsche Telekom Research Forward

As the global race toward 6G intensifies, Germany’s 6G-TakeOff research project has reached a significant milestone. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, the three-year initiative has now concluded with a showcase of substantial advancements in non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and 3D communications architectures.

At its closing event at the University of Bremen, the consortium presented demonstrators that highlighted how 6G could merge terrestrial infrastructure with airborne and satellite platforms to meet future capacity, resilience and coverage demands.

According to Lena Maasewerd, a Telekom blogger at Deutsche Telekom, the project’s achievements reflect both the scale and urgency of Europe’s 6G ambitions. “The 6G-TakeOff project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, successfully presented its results at a closing event at the University of Bremen.”

A new dimension for mobile networks

At the heart of 6G-TakeOff lies the concept of 3D networks, systems in which traditional ground-based connectivity is enhanced by UAVs and satellites acting as supplementary base stations.

By design, the multidimensional approach delivers capacity where and when it is needed, supporting both highly localised boosts and wide-area continuity.

Lena explains the central research focus: “The project gained important insights into 3D networks and their key components. These are three-dimensional networks where base stations on the ground are complemented by base stations aboard airborne platforms and satellites.”

She adds that such architecture enables dynamic and efficient network adaptation: “Stations in the air offer the opportunity to provide additional network capacity temporarily and locally as needed.”

A key challenge was developing a holistic 6G architecture that seamlessly integrates terrestrial and non-terrestrial elements. “By combining and intelligently coordinating the various access technologies, optimal access to connectivity is thus enabled for every application,” Lena notes.

The outcomes of the work will directly feed into 3GPP’s ongoing 6G standardisation efforts.

Broad collaboration across industries

One of the project’s distinguishing strengths was the breadth of its consortium, 19 partners across telecoms, aerospace, academia and manufacturing.

The cross-sector composition ensured that both technological innovation and practical application remained tightly aligned.

Lena highlights the multidisciplinary approach: “From the very beginning, the consortium was designed to integrate perspectives and innovations from a wide range of research and industry fields.”

The collaborative model enabled knowledge transfer “from the academic environment to the industrial context,” supported by participants including Airbus Defence and Space, NXP Semiconductors, Rohde & Schwarz, Creonic, Boldyn Networks and others.

User industries such as John Deere and ZF Friedrichshafen provided real-world operational requirements, while operators Deutsche Telekom and O2 Telefónica shaped the project’s network-centric perspective.

Demonstrators Show Practical Feasibility

Central to 6G-TakeOff were several working demonstrators used to test key architectural components.

1. Device handover in a 3D network

Using a large-scale testbed at the University of Bremen – complete with terrestrial base stations, UAVs and satellite hardware mounted on a 146-metre tower, the consortium evaluated mobility performance in a multi-layer network.

The environment will remain operational beyond the project’s completion, ensuring continued research momentum.

2. Mobile edge computing for NTN

The team validated that MEC capabilities can be deployed in non-terrestrial contexts. It is critical for use cases requiring real-time processing, including autonomous systems and mission-critical industrial applications.

The demonstrator showed that temporary, localised MEC-enabled networks can be deployed as needed.

3. Feederlink and Beamforming innovations

To maintain high-capacity links between ground stations and airborne platforms, new feederlink technologies were developed. Each relies on advanced beamforming antennas capable of precise directional transmission with lightweight construction, ideal for UAV integration.

The project further developed methods for accurate beam steering to track moving platforms.

A foundation for the next decade of mobile communications

Beyond the demonstrators, the consortium filed seven patent applications, illustrating the technological impact of the research.

Summarising the project’s significance, Lena refers to its role in shaping future network evolution: “The results of the project are an important part of basic research for so-called non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and will be incorporated into the standardisation of the future generation of mobile communications.”

Deutsche Telekom’s Thomas Lips emphasises the practical importance of the findings, noting: “The 6G-TakeOff project has helped us better understand the practical challenges of integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial components into a unified 3D communication framework.

"It offers valuable insights on how future 6G systems could improve service continuity, resilience and capacity wherever needed. The project has laid a strong foundation for further cross-industry cooperation towards 6G.”

With the commercial rollout of 6G expected in the early 2030s, the lessons learned from 6G-TakeOff come at a pivotal moment. As Europe seeks to maintain technological sovereignty and shape global standards, the project’s outcomes position Germany as a key contributor to next-generation mobile architectures.