6G-SANDBOX Large Scale NTN Experimentation

6G-SANDBOX is a pan-European testbed for 6G experimentation, funded by the SNS JU under the Horizon Europe program. It combines digital and physical nodes to create end-to-end networks, allowing researchers and organizations to validate new technologies and research advances for the future of 6G. The project provides a modular facility for the European experimentation ecosystem, supporting technology and research validation over the next decade. 6G-SANDBOX has four main platforms located in Athens, Berlin, Malaga, and Oulu. 6G-SANDBOX also has cooperation outside of Europe, actively engaged in 6G experiments. 6G-SANDBOX will orchestrate in H1/2026 a set of large-scale 6G trials, one of which is focused on NTN.

NTN Trials

6G-SANDBOX project, leveraging its current infrastructure, will broker a large-scale open experimentation focused on NTN during H1 2026. The experimentation is close to a plug fest where different technologies are tested together in a meaningful E2E system. By combining these technologies into one testbed, real NTN trials should be achieved, showcasing mainly EU NTN capabilities. The concept is simple: every active actor in NTN interested in running an experiment will be able to join the discussion and bring it’s device and/or technology. As a participant, you will be able to influence the experimentation to be run to meet your interests. 6G-SANDBOX will provide the coordination and the available infrastructure to complement the trial to be relevant and E2E. The project will combine the different contributions into a set of logical experiments. We hope to be able to push the SoA in experimentation, but it will all depend on the community contributions. Key components are Satellites, Ground stations ad user terminals.

6G-SANDBOX will provide access to NTN (Leo satellites) and the ground station in one or more dedicated experimental locations. Information will be shared on this page when public.

Confidentiality

The intention is to publish results as much as possible to promote European NTN technologies. Technology providers own the results, which can be kept confidential when possible within the experimenters’ group. The participants must express any confidentiality request in advance. Independent of confidentiality, a report on the trial will need to be shared with the SNS JU experts to assess the project impact (this will remain confidential).

Funding

The activities will NOT be funded, meaning that every partner covers it’s own costs (shipping of equipment, participation to trials etc.). Participants can, when applicable use SNS JU (or other local) current project funding to participate in these activities in agreement with their funding agencies. The experiment is a clear dissemination activity.

How to Engage

For any third party that want to leverage this oppotunity, the first step of the engagement process is to contact us by sending to experimenter@6g-sandbox.eu the third-party contact form.