6G
[2025-2027-2029]

Currently, 6G is in the development phase and standardization start in 2025. Commercial 6G networks are expected to be launched around 2029–2030. Key technologies under development include:

terahertz (THz) communications
ultramassive MIMO
reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs)
ultra-dense networks (UDNs)
network/edge intelligence
integrated non-terrestrial and terrestrial networks (INTNs)
integrated sensing and communication (ISAC)
6G V2X communications
cellular-connected unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communications
THz IAB

Ultimately, 6G aims to be the Intelligent Network of Everything with extreme performance (capacity, rates, latency, reliability, connection density, coverage, and mobility), pervasive AI/ML (core, edge, and air interface), ubiquitous Internet of Everything (IoE) (sensors, devices, machines, vehicles, drones, robots, etc.), and beyond-communication capabilities (computation, caching, sensing, positioning, and energy). The 6G ecosystem is expected to provide a fruitful platform for the next major disruption, known as mobile intelligence (also known as wireless intelligence and connected intelligence). Mobile intelligence will revolutionize the design, operation, and interactions of devices, systems, and applications. In the big picture, mobile intelligence will be deeply integrated into the future society, providing diverse benefits at all its levels.
In 6G development, the mobile network industry carries out the process from research and development to testing and implementation. Academia also participates in the research and development work, often cooperating with industry. Standardization and regulations are handled by the international and national standardization bodies and regulatory organizations. In these consortia, there are a vast variety of cooperating stakeholders involved, ranging from companies and universities to alliances and associations. Mobile network operators, service providers, and network vendors carry out the deployment and commercialization phases.

In parallel to the industry effort for evolution of 5G commercial networks, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has already started discussions on 6G from 2020, which is expected to be commercialized around 2030. There also is significant effort from both academia and industry to prepare for 6G, following the commercialization of 5G technologies.To satisfy diverse needs and requirements of 6G communications systems, a number of technology trends, including AI, sustainability, ubiquitous coverage, and secure and resilient network, will dominate 6G developments:

AI-native technologies
energy-efficient technologies (Hardware, Channel Coding, Modulation, and Waveform)
scalable computing eesource management
ubiquitous coverage (D-MIMO, JPTA, X-MIMO, SBFD, NTN
secure and resilient network

6G Timeline:

ITU-R recently finished its initial phase setting the basis for the development of 6G, providing the new ITU-R Report on future technology trends and the Recommendation on IMT-2030 (6G) Framework. In the next phase starting from 2024, ITU-R will further define relevant technical performance requirements, evaluation methodologies, and submission templates for potential 6G radio interface technologies. After that, the evaluation process and completion of 6G specification will conclude by 2030.
We expect 3GPP will begin its initial technology study for 6G from R20, and R21 is expected to be the 1st set of 6G technical specifications. 3GPP also needs to conduct a study on 6G use cases and requirements before the start of the technology studies, anticipating an overlapping period between the two activities. While the exact timeline needs to be decided in 3GPP, we target March 2029 as the completion date of R21 (in terms of ASN.1 and open API freeze). We expect R21 specifications will be used as the 3GPP submission to ITU-R for IMT-2030 Recommendation.

6G is the next generation of wireless communication technology after 5G. Compared to the current generation, 6G is expected to be more responsive, reliable, faster, and have a higher rate of data transferable at any one time.
6G is expected to be accessible anywhere, secure, energy efficient, and compatible with various networks such as 5G, Wi-Fi and satellite.
Technologies such as sensing, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and cloud computing will be important technologies for 6G.
6G may increase adoption of autonomous vehicles, smart city technology, manufacturing, virtual and augmented reality, remote surgery, and more.

6G NETWORK ECOSYSTEM

Research and development activities for 6G networks are at full speed, attempting to develop, test, and validate the technologies that will bring the 6G vision to life by 2030. As standardisation organisations such as 3GPP are also getting ready to initiate their 6G-related activities, recognized experts are converging toward solutions that will deliver the promised performance improvements at a reduced environmental cost. Even though there is not yet a single global 6G vision, key stakeholders have shared their views and priorities regarding technological enablers, targeted performance, use cases, and societal, environmental, and business aspects that should be considered. Through intense discussions in scientific conferences, (pre)standardisation meetings, business networking events, and state/government functions, the 6G stakeholders are slowly converging towards a unified vision of 6G.
The technological advancements anticipated in 6G are native artificial intelligence (AI) support, integrated sensing and communications (ISAC), and advanced cybersecurity. We stress the focus on sustainability, both in making 6G systems themselves sustainable and in using 6G to enhance sustainability across various industries, including media, transportation, and healthcare.Globally, 6G development is driven by key priorities like security, AI, energy efficiency, and ubiquitous coverage.The need for socio-economic considerations in 6G development includes energy efficiency and sustainability goals. We call for integrating sustainability metrics, like Key Value Indicators (KVIs), into the R&D process to ensure that 6G not only meets technical performance targets but also contributes positively to societal, economic and environmental goals.KPIs are provided for each use case, including data rates, latency, reliability, and positioning accuracy, tailored to the specific needs of each use case family. Furthermore, operational aspects are discussed, with considerations for the efficient operation of 6G networks, including spectrum use, unified interfaces, deployment strategies, and seamless migration from 5G.Sustainable 6G ecosystems prioritise sustainability and encompassing environmental, social, and economic aspects through a new business ecosystem approach.

Standardisation: The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has named the next generation of mobile technology "IMT-2030" or 6G. By 2025, ITU will outline technical requirements that will guide standardisation bodies like 3GPP in defining what constitutes a 6G-compliant system. 6G will build on 5G foundations but also introduce new concepts such as Ubiquitous Connectivity, AI-driven Communications, and Integrated Sensing. A unified global standard is crucial for a resilient telecommunications ecosystem, supported by contributions from industry groups, associations, and open-source communities.
Regulation: 6G must comply with various regulations to be commercially viable. Key regulations include the Radio Equipment Directive (RED), which covers safety and spectrum use; the Data Act, which addresses data management; the AI Act, which governs AI system use; and the Cybersecurity Act, which establishes security certification frameworks. Compliance with these regulations is essential as 6G becomes deeply integrated into societal infrastructure.
Spectrum: 6G will need a combination of various frequency ranges to meet the coverage and enhanced capacity requirements and to serve new emerging IMT-2030/6G use cases. It has been estimated that at least 500 MHz of new wide-area spectrum is needed per network, in addition to the re-use of existing spectrum. These new bands, with wide enough bandwidths are needed to meet the foreseen 6G capacity and coverage needs as existing bands would still be needed to provide connectivity and capacity for serving the demands of previous generations’ use cases. New frequency bands are being studied within WRC-27 Agenda Item 1.7: 4.4-4.8 GHz, 7.125-8.4 GHz and 14.8-15.35 GHz.
Business strategy: Europe, home to two of the top three telecom vendors, holds a strong position in the 6G landscape. However, it faces business challenges from dominant non-European streaming and content providers, social networks and platform of hyper-scalers. Opportunities for Europe include leading in industrial applications of 6G and adapting to new business models and regulatory policies that support open networks and AI integration. Robust data management and a holistic approach to network security are vital for maintaining European technological sovereignty and ensuring secure, trustworthy 6G systems.
Sustainability: 6G is set to be a model of sustainability, guided by global and regional goals such as the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and the European Green Deal. This involves assessing environmental, social, and economic impacts, optimizing material use, and reducing waste. The 6G industry must innovate in both technology and business models to ensure that 6G benefits are realised sustainably and equitably, balancing connectivity advancements with environmental considerations.

6G Technical performance requirements (TPRs) [17.12.2024]

Study on 6G Use cases and Service requirements (TR22.870 V0.2.0); Stage 1, Release 20

[Feb.2025]

During Technical Specification Group RAN’s meeting RAN#106, in Madrid on December 12th, an important 6G study item was approved. The study represents a significant milestone in 3GPP’s interactions with ITU on 6G technical performance requirements (TPRs) as future, deployment scenarios, requirements and potential directions of 6G radio access technologies are further identified and investigated in 3GPP.The 3GPP study item [RP-243327] aims to investigate a candidate set of items for minimum TPRs based on the Recommendation ITU-R M.2160 and, where applicable, the associated target values and key assumptions for the identified minimum TPRs.The outcome is expected to be shared by Liaison Statement with ITU-R WP5D and used as a baseline for the subsequent 6G study in RAN.The approval of the 6G Study item are supported by over fifty companies from diverse countries and regions, underscoring the shared dedication of 3GPP and the broader telecommunications sector to forge a global interoperable 6G standard.[FS_6G-REQ 1050110 Study on 6G Use Cases and Service Requirements; Stage 1]

3GPP TR 22.870 presents a study on 6G use cases and service requirements in its Stage 1 phase for Release 20. This document serves as a foundational study to guide the future development of the 6G mobile communication system. It outlines key use cases and service requirements, providing a comprehensive framework for 6G development. Each use case provides a structured analysis including descriptions, pre-conditions, service flows, and potential new requirements for the 6G system.

It delves into crucial aspects of the future mobile system, starting with system and operational considerations such as migration from existing networks, roaming, interconnection, interworking, and support for legacy services
A significant focus is placed on security for 6G, addressing network security, quantum-resistant cryptography, ensuring the legitimacy of base stations, and considering user privacy
The document also emphasizes network resilience, sustainability through energy efficiency, and the continued support for diverse user equipment (UE) types
Furthermore, the report explores transformative technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration for network optimization and intelligent services, and Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) for dual-purpose functionalities
It envisions ubiquitous connectivity through terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, enabling services in currently underserved areas
Use cases around immersive communication and massive communication are also detailed, alongside industry-specific applications like urban air mobility and industrial automation.

Key focus areas:System and operational considerations. The study addresses critical aspects such as migration from existing networks, roaming capabilities, interconnection, interworking, and support for legacy services. This ensures a smooth transition from current technologies to 6G.Security and privacy. A major emphasis is placed on 6G security, covering:

network security enhancements
quantum-resistant cryptography implementation
base station legitimacy verification
user privacy protection measures

Network eesilience and sustainability. The document highlights the importance of:

improved network resilience
energy efficiency for sustainability
continued support for diverse user equipment (UE) types

Transformative technologies. Document explores cutting-edge technologies:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration for network optimization and intelligent services
Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) for dual-purpose functionalities

Ubiquitous connectivity. The study envisions expanded coverage through:

integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks
enabling services in currently underserved areas.

Use cases and applications. The document details various use cases, including:

immersive communication technologies
massive communication scenarios
industry-specific applications such as urban air mobility and industrial automation.

3GPP Workshop on 6G
[10.03.2025]

The first meeting on 6G mobile communication technology standards will be held in Incheon from the 10th to the 14th. The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 9th that 3GPP, an international organization that develops 6G technology standards, will hold the "6G Workshop and Technology General Meeting" in Incheon on the 10th, the first event to discuss 6G technology.
3GPP is a mobile communication standard development organization jointly established by seven standardization organizations around the world. It is developing 6G technology standards. The Ministry of Science and ICT explained that Korea took the lead in approving the "6G Vision" containing 6G target services and core performance at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), and that the meeting was held based on this. In particular, the workshop, which will be held from the 10th, is expected to have fierce competition to preempt 6G standards.

The 6G workshop focused on various aspects of the upcoming 6G technology standardization, spanning eight sessions over two days. These include two joint plenary sessions, five parallel radio access network (RAN) and system architecture/core network & terminals (SA/CT) working sessions and a concluding summary session at the end of the workshop. The plenary sessions focused on the overarching 6G standardization principles. The goal was to align on 6G’s motivations and goals, along with targeted use cases, to ensure that a global 6G standard can deliver value for the entire mobile ecosystem. In summary, 6G is expected to enable:

New services and use cases that extend beyond communications, such as integrated sensing, immersive XR, AI-based services and compute.
Revenue growth that monetizes network capabilities and supports diverse applications across industries, fully realizing the potential of wireless.
AI and automation that implement an AI-native network system design, improving efficiency in network management and resource allocation.
Enhanced system efficiency that reduces energy consumption through new system features in network design and AI-driven power management.
New and efficient spectrum use that improve efficiency in existing lower bands (e.g., FDD), open new spectrum bands and support dynamic sharing.
Ubiquitous coverage that seamlessly integrates terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks (NTN) to deliver global coverage and resilient services.
Reduction in total cost of ownership (TCO) that improves CAPEX and OPEX through simplified network operations and improved energy efficiency.
Enhanced service reliability and customer experience that ensure high-quality service delivery across diverse devices and network conditions.
Network simplification that reduces architecture complexity and improves system operational efficiency to meet use case requirements.

During the 6G workshop discussions, special emphasis was placed on applying lessons learned from 5G deployments to 6G design and standardization. Addressing these challenges as part of the Day 1 priority for 6G can help with the transition and adoption of the new wireless generation in 2030 and beyond. These include:

Simplified and smoother migration: The transition from 5G NSA to 5G SA was complex, difficult and slow. 6G should focus on a single SA option with multi-RAT spectrum sharing (MRSS) and seamless 5G interworking.
Reduced architectural complexity: An excessive number of 5G options, features and configurations led to high system complexity, impacting device capabilities and deployment efficiency. 6G should reduce system complexity to enable faster, more efficient adoption.
Better adoption of key capabilities: Some 5G features (e.g., slicing) experienced slower-than-expected adoption. For 6G, 3GPP should analyze the underlying causes and address them with simplified system design.
Efficient deployment: There were several issues identified during the 5G rollouts, such as network repository function (NRF) profiles inefficiencies and protocol challenges (e.g., HTTP/2 over TCP). 6G should address these.
Enhanced network function (NF) design: Further optimization is expected to ensure efficient NF sizing with clear decoupling, while also further exploring stateless architectures.
Optimized functionality: 6G should focus on a well-dimensioned set of functionalities, minimizing redundant options and excessive configurations to reduce complexity.

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