6G Networks: The Lifeline for Future Cities and the Necessity of Digital Sovereignty

The successful testing of 6G networks heralds the birth of a neural infrastructure for the smart and integrated cities of the future. These networks, with their fantastical speeds and zero latency, will be the foundation upon which complex urban systems rest, from smart resource management to remote healthcare and autonomous transport. However, the total reliance of essential services on these super networks sharply reintroduces the issue of "digital sovereignty" for nations. The cyber securing of these critical infrastructures and the reliability of their equipment supply chains has become a matter of top-tier national security. Decision-makers must develop comprehensive national strategies to localize technical knowledge and ensure non-total dependence on external providers in managing the vital arteries of tomorrow's societies.