13
employees*
10
ongoing projects*
3
doctoral researchers*
The transition to 6G represents a fundamental shift in digital infrastructure. Networks are evolving from systems that transport data into intelligent, programmable platforms that bring together communication, computing and artificial intelligence. Future systems will need to adapt to changing conditions, use resources efficiently and support services that remain reliable when demand increases or connectivity is disrupted.
This transformation responds to the growing needs of connected mobility, digital health, industry and public infrastructure. These applications require more than speed and coverage: they depend on timely information, dependable communication and the ability to process data close to users and devices.
Research, experimentation and public-private collaboration are essential to turning these capabilities into practical solutions. Luxembourg provides a setting in which new approaches can be developed, tested and evaluated with partners, linking today’s 5G infrastructure with research towards 6G and beyond. At European level, this contributes to strengthening technological leadership and digital sovereignty in critical connectivity and AI-enabled infrastructures.
* the data is from September 2026
Distributed & Intelligent Connectivity (DISCO) develops AI-native smart networks and services to help connected applications respond faster, use resources efficiently and remain reliable when conditions change. Its research brings together communication, computing and artificial intelligence to support the evolution towards 6G and beyond 6G systems.
AI and data-driven methods help anticipate demand, automate network operations and adapt resources to application needs. In parallel, edge computing brings processing closer to users and devices, supporting applications - including AI services - through a combination of local and cloud resources rather than centralised processing alone.
DISCO’s expertise spans adaptive connectivity, resilient network operation, and distributed intelligence and edge services. The group develops system architectures, software platforms and tools for coordinating services. Network Digital Twins - virtual representations of networks - and simulation allow proposed changes to be tested before deployment. Closed-loop automation uses feedback from real systems to check and adjust their operation.
Working with public and private partners, DISCO develops and evaluates solutions for mobility, healthcare, smart cities and industry. Laboratory experiments and field trials connect research with practical needs, helping partners adopt trustworthy services and reusable technologies beyond individual projects.
DISCO’s work is organised around three research areas, complemented by Network Digital Twins & Closed-Loop Automation as a cross-cutting capability. Together, they address how connectivity is designed, how networks operate and how connected services use their resources.
Digital models help researchers and operators assess network changes before applying them to live infrastructure. DISCO develops modelling and simulation tools to compare operating scenarios, predict their effects and guide decisions using feedback from real systems.
Recent examples include 6G-TWIN, coordinated by LIST, which develops Network Digital Twin methods and co-simulation tools for future 6G systems, and RAISE, which applies these concepts with Orange Luxembourg to energy-efficient mobile-network operation.
This area explores how future networks can become more flexible and better respond to the needs of applications, devices and users. Research includes exploration of advanced concepts like neuromorphic computing or quantum networks, cooperation between different wireless technologies and new AI-based approaches for network adaptation and efficiency.
Recent examples include 5G-META, developed with Proximus and CFL around network-aware applications; 6G-AURA, which investigates adaptive and energy-efficient wireless communication; and OPTIMUS-6G, which addresses connectivity for heterogeneous IoT devices across the computing continuum.
This area focuses on keeping networks and critical services dependable under operational constraints, failures or degraded connectivity. Research combines network planning and optimisation with resilience, energy efficiency, electromagnetic-field considerations and secure operation.
Recent examples include 5G-CriCo, developed with POST for mission-critical communications; DLT-Sentinel, addressing secure operation in disconnected or degraded environments; and 6G-CARE, which validates advanced connectivity for healthcare and emergency-response services. OPTIWAVE is another example, providing tools for network planning and monitoring under electromagnetic-field constraints.
This area investigates how computing, data processing and AI can be distributed across devices, edge infrastructure and cloud resources. Bringing processing closer to where data is produced can reduce delays, limit unnecessary data transfers and support services that cannot rely solely on centralised cloud infrastructure - an increasingly important aspect of “networks for AI”.
Recent examples include SmartSpires, which develops and deploys 5G and edge-AI infrastructure and services in Luxembourg; DYNAMICITY, which combines mobility and personalised digital health services; and BRICKS4Health, which validates a connected rehabilitation application over advanced network and edge infrastructure.
The group’s expertise is applied across connected and automated mobility, healthcare, smart cities and industrial systems. Work ranges from planning connected transport services and supporting remote care to developing more adaptable industrial wireless networks. These applications provide practical settings in which research on connectivity, sensing and distributed intelligence can be evaluated with users and operating partners.
DISCO collaborates with Luxembourg’s three main mobile network operators - Orange, POST and Proximus - and with public authorities, businesses and European research partners. As of 2025, the group represents LIST within both the 6G Industry Association (6G-IA) and Networld Europe – two key entities steering the European 6G roadmap. Through these channels, the group contributes to shaping European research agendas, coordinating with key public and private actors and accelerating the development and adoption of intelligent, next-generation connectivity systems.
The group links simulation with laboratory and field experiments to help partners test ideas before investing in deployment. Its facilities within the READY Unit include a private 5G standalone network, network and mobility simulators, emulation tools and testbeds for connected devices and applications. Further development at Belval is intended to support shared experimentation in 5G, edge AI and future 6G services.
Discover how Network Digital Twins support research towards future 6G systems.
Explore the planning and integration of connected and automated mobility services.
