At the end of 2023, 3GPP expressed its commitment to the development of the sixth-generation (6G) mobile system, and in 2024, 6G is anticipated to enter its pre-standardization phase.
The development process for a new generation of mobile technology spans across multiple releases. In the case of 5G, it began with Release 14 and culminated in the finalization of specifications in Release 15. Similarly, 6G work within 3GPP will commence in 2024 during Release 19, focusing on requirements, with the initial specifications anticipated to be completed by the end of 2028 in Release 21.
Officially, the 6G era will commence towards the latter part of this decade with the expected launch of the first commercial deployments. This journey has already commenced.
In essence, 6G standardization transforms the potential of 6G into a concrete system, translating years of research conducted across major regions into a tangible reality.
“It is important that the industry sets realistic expectations and drives the right overall understanding of what these global 6G standards will bring. We aren’t creating 6G for its own sake. New technologies and applications are placing ever greater demands on the network,” said Balazs Bertenyi, Senior Principal Standardization Lead at Nokia.
Industry Efforts
An essential phase in the development of any new cellular generation involves establishing all technical specifications. As outlined in the approved 3GPP timeline for 6G development, the plan entails initiating the development of 6G technology in mid-2025, commencing with a 21-month study item aimed at analyzing various technology options.
By June 2026, at the latest, 3GPP will determine the duration of the work item for Release 21, thus establishing the timeline for the availability of initial versions of 6G specifications.
According to Ericsson's comprehensive analysis, the process of defining 6G service requirements will begin with the commencement of requirements work in 3GPP in May 2024. During this phase, industry representatives will share innovative perspectives for 6G considerations, while 3GPP will discuss the scope of the service requirement study. The study is slated for approval in September 2024 and will encompass both new use cases and enhancements to functionalities already supported in 5G.
On the other hand, ITU plays a key role in 6G standardization which is an important step on the way to establishing the new global commercial ecosystem. The UN specialized agency for ICT designated spectrum bands as follows: 6G as IMT-2030, 5G as IMT-2020, 3G as IMT-2000, and 4G as IMT Advanced.
Work on defining IMT-2030 and beyond has been ongoing in ITU and will be more concrete in 2024 with the start of the work on the technical performance requirements. From 2024 to 2026, the ITU will work on defining technical performance requirements and the corresponding performance evaluation methodologies for IMT-2030. Following the completion of requirements work, the process of submitting technologies for IMT-2030 will commence in 2027 and continue until early 2029.
Several industry and academic groups have set up alliances for researching and prototyping new technologies as well as enhancements for 6G and will send their technical proposals for 6G to the ITU around 2027. The ITU's expert groups will review their proposals and select the ones that are best aligned with its 6G vision.
3GPP will additionally provide self-evaluations of 6G to ITU by the end of 2028 or early 2029.
Among the recommendations of the ITU-R’s study group for the 6G framework draft is the need to consider spectrum in higher frequency ranges above 92 GHz as a complement to the use of lower frequency bands. More specifically, bands around 100 GHz, 140-160 GHz, 220-240 GHz, and around 300 GHz could potentially be candidates for further investigation.
As per the document, various use cases and scenarios will require different ranges. Low bands will continue to be deployed for nationwide coverage while mid bands will provide a balance between wide area coverage and capacity. The mmWave spectrum is also considered a candidate for use in 6G.
The ITU 6G vision suggests further research in four key areas: radio interface standards development; access network-related issues; traffic characteristics; and spectrum-related issues.
Telecom Players Involved
Vendors, research organizations, academic institutions, operators and governments are actively mapping key technologies, use cases and KPIs for 6G.
Currently, vendors are leading the way in 6G research and development (R&D) efforts, aiming to ensure that future standards align with their emerging technologies. Operators should follow this proactive approach and actively engage in the 6G ecosystem to ensure that 6G technologies offer tangible commercial benefits.
Key technologies for telco’s 6G R&D include AI/ML, RAN enhancements and security.
Sustainability For 6G
6G is anticipated to serve as a cornerstone in shaping a prosperous future for current and forthcoming generations. The advent of the 6G era is poised to introduce a plethora of new services and elevate the capabilities of existing technologies. These advancements will not only enrich our individual lives but will also contribute to advancing environmental objectives with a steadfast commitment to reducing ecological impact.
Sustainability will stand as a core tenet of 6G, as demonstrated by its objectives, to address key societal needs such as bridging the digital divide, ensuring access to quality education, fostering sustainable urban development, and promoting clean energy initiatives. Achieving these goals necessitates a more interconnected ecosystem, facilitated by the utilization of forthcoming 6G terrestrial and satellite converged networks dedicated to supporting sustainability.
"By agreeing on a way forward on 6G, ITU Member States have taken an important step toward ensuring that technical progress is synonymous with affordability, security, and resilience – supporting sustainable development and digital transformation everywhere," said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin.
UAE’s TDRA has revealed a comprehensive strategy for advancing ‘International Mobile Telecommunications’ technology (IMT2030), also known as 6G. This proactive initiative addresses the evolving landscape of IMT, focusing on technical specifications for mobile system functionality and performance. Notably, the UAE's 6G Roadmap aligns with global sustainability goals, aiming to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption across industries. This reflects the UAE's commitment to maintaining its leadership in telecommunications innovation, providing high-quality, smart, and secure connectivity for societal and economic benefits.
Latest Updates
A new Trade and Technology Council 6G (TTC 6G) Vision was officially adopted, emphasizing the European Union and the United States’ journey towards 6G. “Collaboration is not only desirable but essential. By leveraging each region's strengths and expertise, transatlantic cooperation can accelerate the development and deployment of 6G technology while upholding shared principles and values,” the joint vision explained.
In an official statement from the White House, the Governments of the United States, Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom support common principles for researching and developing 6G wireless communication systems. They aim to foster open, free, global, interoperable, reliable, resilient, and secure connectivity through collaborative efforts.
“We believe this to be an indispensable contribution towards building a more inclusive, sustainable, secure, and peaceful future for all, and call upon other governments, organizations, and stakeholders to join us in supporting and upholding these principles. Collaboration and unity are key to resolving pressing challenges in the development of 6G,” the joint statement said.
The global industry-led and inclusive collaborations will support 6G technologies that are built on global technical standards, interfaces, and specifications, developed through open, transparent, impartial and consensus-based decision-making processes.
Moreover, 6G should respect intellectual property rights that promote sustainability, accessibility, inclusive participation, interoperability, competitiveness, openness, and security.
Regarding spectrum and manufacturing, 6G technologies ought to ensure secure and resilient supply chains. They have the potential to foster a globally competitive market across the ICT value chain and throughout the compute and connectivity continuum, featuring a multitude of software and hardware suppliers.
For long-term deployment, 6G technologies should use spectrum efficiently and incorporate spectrum-sharing mechanisms by design to coexist with incumbent service providers.