Trinity and Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute to advance 6G research
Posted on: 08 October 2026
Researchers at the Research Ireland CONNECT Centre headquartered at Trinity have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Taiwan’s ITRI to explore joint research, experimentation and innovation in 6G and other advanced communications technologies.
The agreement was signed by Professor Dan Kilper, Director of the CONNECT Centre and Professor of Future Communication Networks at Trinity College Dublin, and Pang-An Ting, Vice President of ITRI, at the Taipei International Convention Centre during the Taiwan 6G Summit.
ITRI is a world-leading applied technology research organisation with more than 6,000 employees. Since its establishment in 1973, it has played a central role in Taiwan’s development as a global technology hub, including helping to lay the foundations for the country’s semiconductor and information and communications technology industries.
The MOU creates a framework through which CONNECT and ITRI can identify joint projects in areas including AI-enabled radio access networks, Open RAN, non-terrestrial networks, advanced wireless and optical networks, network automation, digital twins, integrated communication and sensing, edge and cloud technologies, cybersecurity, and resilient networks.
Emphasis will be placed on opportunities to connect research infrastructure and test environments, including capabilities available through CONNECT and initiatives such as JOINER, the CONNECT Lab and Smart Docklands, alongside relevant ITRI facilities and platforms.
The organisations also intend to examine opportunities for collaborative participation in European and international research programmes, including Horizon Europe, the Smart Network Services (SNS) Joint Undertaking and future telecommunications innovation initiatives.
The MOU opens potential opportunities for Irish researchers and technology providers to participate in international trials and consortia. For ITRI and Taiwanese partners, Trinity and CONNECT provide research expertise, open experimental infrastructure and access to real-world urban test environments such as Smart Docklands, as well as links to EU research and innovation programmes.
Professor Dan Kilper, Director of CONNECT and Professor of Future Communication Networks at Trinity, said: “Advanced Connectivity, which includes mobile networks and the Internet, has become a critical technology area for societal resilience, economic prosperity and sustainability. We’re seeing globally that leading technology powerhouses such as ITRI are building strategic partnerships aimed at the groundbreaking research needed to keep up with the rapid pace of technology development in this space.
“Through this partnership the thriving ecosystem of research and innovation around CONNECT and Trinity, built through strategic Research Ireland and EU investments, will join forces with ITRI to realise the next generation of breakthroughs. ITRI brings exceptional scale and a strong record of translating research into industrial impact, while Ireland offers agile research platforms and links to European collaboration. This two-way relationship can create new opportunities for researchers and companies in both countries.”
Pang-An Ting, Director of ITRI’s Information and Communications Research Laboratories, said: “ITRI and Trinity College Dublin share a commitment to turning advanced research into innovative technologies that can be tested, demonstrated and adopted in real-world markets. Connecting ITRI’s research capabilities and industry networks with TCD’s expertise and Ireland’s experimental platforms can create valuable opportunities for researchers and companies in Taiwan and Ireland. We look forward to pursuing joint research in 6G and further strengthening research collaboration between Taiwan and Europe.”