Overview of 6G (IMT-2030)
28.04.2025Introduction
With the promise of ushering in new, innovative use cases and unprecedented capabilities, IMT-2030 represents the next generation of wireless connectivity. As part of the overall International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT), 6G technologies were officially named “IMT-2030” during the Radiocommunication Assembly 2023 (RA-23) (ITU‑R 2023a), 6G presents countries and their regulatory bodies with new challenges related to licensing, competition, market impact, and consumer protection.
Expected to be launched by 2030, 6G networks remain early in their development though the ITU and countries around the world are actively engaged in research and technology developments. In addition to enhanced connectivity, anticipated applications of 6G include those related to remote-sensing technologies and artificial intelligence (AI).
Regional and international cooperation is crucial for ensuring that standards around the new technology are harmonized around the world. The ITU has been engaged with IMT-2030 research and concluded its initial phase of work through the release of Report ITU-R M.2516 on the “Future technology trends of terrestrial International Mobile Telecommunications system towards 2030 and beyond” (ITU-R 2022) and the approval of Recommendation ITU-R M.2160 on the “Framework and overall objectives of the future development of IMT for 2030 and beyond” (ITU-R 2023). This recommendation sets out technology trends, envisaged frequency bands, use cases, capabilities, and future ITU work streams related to the development of 6G technologies.
Since the very beginning of the IMT-development, a satellite component was part of the ITU-R work and a series of ITU-R Recommendations for the satellite component for the according IMT generation has been developed, but it took up to today for the satellite technology to become a commodity for everyone. Consequently, the “Framework and overall objectives of the future development of IMT for 2030 and beyond” (Recommendation ITU-R M.2160, published in 11/2023) (ITU-R 2023b) explicitly states:
“The Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) will complement existing terrestrial mobile networks and enhance the next generation of mobile networks and services, striving to improve connectivity for users in unserved and underserved areas, benefiting both consumers and industries.”
However, this article discusses the benefits, capabilities, and use cases of the terrestrial component of 6G, comparing the emerging technology with current connectivity solutions, especially 5G, and provides description of the ongoing research and regulatory developments. Several potential challenges for the successful adoption of 6G as it relates to the regulatory environment and impact on businesses and consumers are also addressed. It concludes with information related to next steps and issues for consideration.
Main differences between 5G and 6G
In tandem with the acceleration of current 6G research efforts, the rollout of 5G networks as well as the adoption of 5G services continue to rise around the world. According to a 2024 GSA report, 343 mobile operators in 126 countries had launched or soft-launched at least one 5G service[1], up from around 50 in 2019 (GSA 2024). In the progress towards 6G networks, existing 5G networks are also expected to undergo a significant upgrade in the coming years through the deployment of new Releases of 3GPP standards, including 3GPP Release 18, also known as 5G Advanced (5G-A) (3GPP). 5G-A will enable the application of emerging technological solutions including AI and machine learning (ML) to improve network efficiency leading to higher download speeds and reduced latency.
As seen with previous generations of wireless connectivity technologies, 5G and 6G are expected to coexist and mutually improve one another. Existing 5G network infrastructure, and eventual 5G-A infrastructure, will be needed to supplement the cloud, compute, and storage requirements of 6G. While 5G-A technology is expected to harness the computational power of AI and ML systems, 6G technologies are expected to be AI-native, or in other words, have AI built-in by design.
6G networks will be built on the foundations of existing 5G and 5G-A infrastructure but will be able to provide even greater improvements to the capability and reliability of existing wireless connectivity solutions. As outlined in Recommendation ITU-R M.2160 on “IMT-2030 framework”, 6G is expected to improve the nine existing capabilities of 5G with the introduction of six new ones. Additionally, 6G is expected to unlock a variety of innovative use cases that aim to leverage advancements in AI and integrated sensing and communication (ITU 2023b, 12-14).
Technical requirements
While 6G aims to improve efficient wireless communication, thoughtful consideration to both the technical requirements and frequency bands can ensure that the transition is equally as streamlined. Research efforts should explore a range of hardware-related topics including both technologies that enhance the radio interface as well as those that enhance the radio network. As identified in Report ITU‑R M.2516 (ITU-R 2022), technologies that fit into the former category include:
- advanced modulation, coding and multiple access schemes;
- advanced antenna technologies;
- in-band full duplex communications;
- multiple physical dimension transmission;
- THz communications; and
- technologies to support ultra-high accuracy positioning.
Research areas focusing on preparing the radio network include:
- radio access network (RAN) slicing;
- technologies to support resilient and soft networks for guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS);
- new RAN architecture;
- technologies to support digital twin network;
- technologies for interconnection with non-terrestrial networks;
- support for ultra-dense radio network deployments; and
- technologies to enhance RAN infrastructure sharing.
While hardware innovation is necessary to handle the increased data rates and speed expected from 6G, research on the subject should be to an extent coordinated to ensure interoperability. In October 2024, ITU sent out an invitation for the submission of proposed candidate radio interface technologies (RIT) for the terrestrial component of IMT-2030, to be provided by June 2027 latest.
Regarding optimal frequency bands for 6G, there is no single frequency range that can meet all of the criteria required to deploy the system. Instead, multiple frequency ranges should be considered to ensure sufficient capacity and coverage requirements. It is likely that IMT-2030, like previous generations of IMT technologies, would be used in a variety of deployments. Research and development into enhanced coexistence and spectrum sharing approaches (including technical aspects) is expected to continue. It is also important to recognize that there are differences in the number of deployments and timings of mobile data growth in different countries.
IMT-2030 will likely utilize a wide range of frequency bands ranging from sub-1 GHz up to frequency bands above 100 GHz. Low frequency bands will continue to be crucial to enable nationwide coverage, allowing countries to continue to address the digital divide and expand deep indoor coverage. Mid frequency bands can provide a balance between wide area coverage and capacity.
The 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) marked significant progress towards 6G by identifying key frequency ranges for study under WRC-27 agenda item 1.7 as potential candidates for IMT, encompassing future 6G systems. These frequency bands include 4 400-4 800 MHz, 7 125-8 400 MHz, and 14.8-15.35 GHz. This global initiative, while recognizing the importance of regional flexibility, fosters a cohesive framework for innovation and interoperability in 6G deployments harmonized worldwide.
Increasing data rates, expanded capacity, and new applications and capabilities may also require new spectrum. In May 2024, the ITU-R published Report ITU-R M.2541 on the “Technical feasibility of IMT in bands above 100 GHz” (ITU-R 2024a). This report focuses on the use of the frequency bands above 92 GHz are suitable for specific IMT deployment scenarios and could be considered for IMT-2030. It also includes information regarding propagation mechanisms and channel modes, new technology enablers, and the results of simulation and performance tests.
Ultimately, allowing countries to tailor the use of these bands to their specific national needs ensures equitable access to 6G’s transformative potential across diverse markets. This forward-thinking approach, particularly focusing on higher frequency bands, represents a global paradigm shift in mobile communication. Leveraging the bandwidth available within these ranges is crucial for achieving the ultra-fast speeds and low latency envisioned for 6G, ultimately setting the stage for bridging the digital divide, fueling economic growth, and driving global sustainability efforts.
Regulatory and policy considerations
Negotiations related to the identification of frequency bands for 6G use and subsequent allocation of spectrum will require coordination at the global, regional, and national levels for a better harmonization. In order for policies to be as informative as possible, regulators should gather input from a variety of stakeholders including existing service providers, academic institutions and use cases. While regulatory and standards bodies such as the ITU-R and 3GPP have unique requirements, limiting unwanted radio emissions is also another priority for regulators to think through when considering enabling 6G in their respective countries (Next G Alliance 2023a, 12-13).
Lastly, coordination on spectrum sharing helps mitigating unwanted interference from neighbouring countries. In February 2024, 10 countries including Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States signed the Joint Statement Endorsing Principles for 6G: Secure, Open, and Resilient by Design (White House 2024). The statement includes a commitment to broad principles related to various aspects of 6G including security, international collaboration, interoperability, and spectrum sharing mechanisms.
Benefits of 6G
New and enhanced capabilities
Compared to the previous generation of mobile networks (IMT-2020), 6G is expected to offer several enhancements to existing capabilities as well as introduce novel capabilities enabling new use cases. Identified in the ITU’s “IMT-2030 framework”, 6G is expected to improve upon nine existing capabilities and bring six new capabilities (ITU-R 2023b, 14-17). The nine enhanced capabilities for IMT-2030 include:
- Peak data rate: maximum achievable data rate under ideal conditions per device.
- User experienced data rate: achievable data rate that is available ubiquitously across the coverage area to a mobile device.
- Spectrum efficiency: average data throughput per unit of spectrum resource and per cell.
- Area traffic capacity: total traffic throughput served per geographic area.
- Connection Density: total number of connected and/or accessible devices per unit area.
- Mobility: maximum speed, at which a defined QoS and seamless transfer between radio nodes which may belong to different layers and/or radio access technologies (multi-layer/multi-RAT) can be achieved.
- Latency: the contribution by the radio network to the time from when the source sends a packet of a certain size to when the destination receives it.
- Reliability: the capability of transmitting successfully a predefined amount of data within a predetermined time duration with a given probability.
- Security and resilience: security refers to preservation of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information, such as user data and signaling, and protection of networks, devices and systems against cyberattacks such as hacking, distributed denial of service, man in the middle attacks, etc.; resilience refers to capabilities of the networks and systems to continue operating correctly during and after a natural or man-made disturbance, such as the loss of primary source of power, etc.
The six new capabilities enabled through 6G include:
- Coverage: the ability to provide access to communication services for users in a desired service area.
- Sensing-related capabilities: the ability to provide functionalities in the radio interface including range/velocity/angle estimation, object detection, localization, imaging, mapping, etc.
- Applicable AI-related capabilities: the ability to provide certain functionalities throughout IMT‑2030 to support AI enabled applications including distributed data processing, distributed learning, AI computing, AI model execution and AI model inference, etc.
- Sustainability: the ability of both the network and devices to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts throughout their life cycle.
- Interoperability: the radio interface being based on member-inclusivity and transparency, so as to enable functionalities between different entities of the system.
- Positioning: the ability to calculate the approximate position of connected devices.
Source: Recommendation ITU-R M.2160.
Impact on industry
While the exact impact of 6G technologies on industry is difficult to quantify at this stage, improvements in connectivity are bound to have transformational effects on various vertical markets. Different sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, and entertainment can leverage 6G to unlock alternate revenue streams, advance new innovations, and improve efficiencies.
In manufacturing, 6G can boost the efficiency of the network through more seamless automation of process and enhanced capabilities of robotics adding to current innovations in industrial private networks. New innovations and use cases in the healthcare sector such as through telehealth, intelligent wearable devices, AI-enabled tools, and novel business models. With advancements in connected automated vehicles well underway, 6G can serve to enhance communications between vehicles and their surroundings. Lastly, new immersive use cases made possible by remote-sensing capabilities can transform the entertainment sector by offering users a new way to experience media through new augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applications.
Sustainability
According to industry reports, 5G was found to be up to 90% more efficient than legacy 4G networks (Nokia 2020). Similarly, 6G is expected to boost efficiencies across various vertical markets leading to further energy savings. Enhanced capabilities combined with eco-friendly deployment practices can lead to more sustainable network infrastructure with lower energy requirements than previous generations of networks. In North America, the Green G Working Group (WG) under the Next G Alliance aims to lead sustainable initiatives in 6G through collaboration with ICT sector actors. With a focus on educating stakeholders and enabling more sustainable use of wireless technologies, the Green G WG has released several reports discussing sustainability indictors, key performance indicators (KPIs) and future pathways related to sustainable 6G (Next G Alliance 2024).
Use cases
The “IMT-2030 framework” presents several new usage scenarios based on current and project technology trends. The usage scenarios are built on the foundation of four design principles identified in the “IMT‑2030 framework” including sustainability, security and resilience, connecting the unconnected for providing universal and affordable access to all users independent of the location, and ubiquitous intelligence for improving overall system performance (ITU-R 2023b, 12-14).
Similarly to how 6G capabilities will build upon existing IMT-2020 capabilities, several usage scenarios will be an extension of current 5G applications. By expanding enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) applications, 6G can provide more immersive video experiences to users including through interaction with machine interfaces. Improvements here span a range of connectivity environments including hotspots, urban and rural. Given the expected improvements in reliability and latency from 6G, existing Ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) applications can be enhanced in a variety of scenarios and vertical markets. Ranging from full automation in industrial applications, improved emergency services, to tele-medicine, these new usage scenarios would require the enhanced reliability and low latency, precise positioning, and connection density enabled by 6G. Lastly, 6G can extend massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC) of IMT-2020 with new applications in smart cities, transportation, logistics, health, energy, environmental monitoring, agriculture, and many other areas.
New usage scenarios for 6G include those related to ubiquitous connectivity, AI and communication, and integrated sensing and communication. On the first topic, 6G can serve to bridge the digital divide in connectivity by expanding applications in scarcely covered areas in rural, remote, and sparsely covered regions. With AI expected to be fully integrated in 6G networks, various novel use cases including automated driving, AI enabled medical devices, and digital twins are possible. New integrated and sensing capabilities can bring about innovation in “assisted navigation, activity detection and movement tracking (e.g. posture/gesture recognition, fall detection, vehicle/pedestrian detection), environmental monitoring (e.g. rain/pollution detection), and provision of sensing data/information on surroundings for AI, extended reality (XR) and digital twin applications” (ITU-R 2023b, 13).
While several specific vertical markets are mentioned here, envisioned 6G use cases not only span the private sector but also the public sector. By democratizing access to healthcare, education, agriculture, and public safety, 6G can help ensure that vulnerable populations in underserved areas are not left behind.
Usage scenarios and overarching aspects of IMT-2030
Source: Recommendation ITU-R M.2160.
Current 6G developments
Ongoing research
Several countries are involved in the field of 6G research around the world including through both national and regional research institutions.
In Europe, several 6G research projects are leveraging partnerships between private and public sector actors to advance the necessary architecture required to enable the next generation of wireless connectivity. The Hexa-X initiative and its successor Hexa-X II comprise Europe’s regional efforts on 6G research and development. With Hexa-X having developed the region’s 6G vision and basic concepts, the Hexa-X II initiative aims to address implementation aspects of 6G networks. Established as a regulatory sandbox, the Germany Open 6G Hub aims to contribute to European and global 6G harmonization. As touched on in previous sections, the Next G Alliance in the U.S. aims to advance 6G research in North America and focuses its research on topics including applications; societal and economic needs; sustainability; and technology. China’s IMT-2030 Promotion Group established in June 2019 by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) works to advance the country’s 6G R&D efforts. In March 2023, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) in Japan earmarked JPY 66.2 billion to launch the Innovative Information and Communications Technology (Beyond 5G [6G]) Fund Project dedicated to 6G research (MIC 2024).
Partnerships between the public, private, and academic sectors is driving 6G research. In Europe, several 6G research projects are leveraging partnerships between private and public sector actors to advance the necessary architecture required to enable the next generation of wireless connectivity. 6G Smart Networks and Services (SNS) Industry Association (6G-IA) aims to coordinate private and public sector stakeholders to advance European leadership on issues related to 5G, 5G evolution, and SNS/6G research. The TUDOR (Towards Ubiquitous 3D Open Resilient Network) project in the United Kingdom led by the University of Surrey’s 5G/6G Innovation Center is focusing in part on the future standards of 5G, 5G-A, and 6G. In Germany, the 6G-Access, Network of Networks, Automation & Simplification (6G-ANNA) project aims to advance the design of end-to-end architecture for 6G through partnership with various industry leaders.
Public consultations
With standards negotiations currently underway, ensuring a multistakeholder process for informing 6G developments can ensure that countries are aligned with respect to frequency designations and technical requirements for 6G networks. As mentioned, the ITU sent out an invitation for submission of proposals concerning candidate radio interface technologies as part of its “IMT-2030 framework” implementation. Although many regions are still focusing on the rollout of 5G networks, several countries have actively sought the opinion of academia, industry, civil society, and other stakeholders to further research and policy considerations of 6G systems. Though many of the consultations focus on 6G as it relates to a country’s national spectrum outlook or strategy, some countries, including the United States and Japan, have published public consultations on topics isolated to 6G technology.
Country | Regulator | Consultation | Topics |
United States | National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) | Advancement of 6G Telecommunications Technology | Research and development; safety, security, and environmental concerns |
Saudi Arabia | Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) | Public Consultation on Spectrum Outlook for Commercial and Innovative Use (2024-2027) | Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) through Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite communication; Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV-BVLOS); Advanced Air Mobility (AAM); Internet of Things (IoT); 6G networks; private networks |
Japan | Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) | Beyond 5G Promotion Strategy―Roadmap towards 6G | Research and Development; IP and Standardization; Deployment |
Europe | European Commission | EC Consultation website (15.11. – 27.12.2024) | Public Consultation on the Draft RSPG Report on 6G Strategic vision |
Europe | European Commission | EC Consultation website (16.06. – 25.08.2023) | Public Consultation on the Draft RSPG Opinion on The development of 6G and possible implications for spectrum needs and guidance on the rollout of future wireless broadband networks |
Australia | Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) | 2024–29 draft five-year spectrum outlook | Spectrum allocations, licenses, radio equipment |
Country spotlight: India Bharat 6G
In India, there is a strong and coordinated effort between the public and private sector to promote 6G. Established in November 2021 by the Department of Telecommunications, the Technology Innovation Group on 6G (TIG-6G) leads the nation’s efforts on research on topics through its six task forces including: Multi-Disciplinary Innovative Solutions, Multiplatform Next Generation Networks, Spectrum for Next Generation Requirements, Devices, International Standards Contribution and Funding Research and Development (DoT 2022). Comprised of members from government, research and development institutions, academia, standardization bodies, and private industry, the TIG-6G aims to develop India’s vision, mission, and goals for 6G.
The Bharat 6G alliance (BG6A) is an industry advocacy group that aims to promote the local development and deployment of 6G technology. Facilitated by government, BG6A represents an alliance of public sector bodies, domestic industry, academia, and standards institutions. The group recently announced plans to coordinate with America’s Next G Alliance to jointly develop 6G technology and supply chains (Next G Alliance 2023b). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between India Bharat 6G Alliance and Europe’s 6G-IA group (5G PPP 2024). International manufacturers such as Nokia and Ericsson have also announced significant investments in 6G research and development in India (Nokia 2023).
Country spotlight: Republic of Korea 6G Forum, 6G Society, and K-Network 2030 strategy
Coming out of WRC-23, the Republic of Korea has expressed support of sharing and compatibility studies for the 4 400-4 800 MHz, 7 125-8400 MHz and 14.8-15.35 GHz frequency bands. The administration has noted the need for a variety of low-, mid-, and high-band frequencies to support 6G, particularly in the 4‑16 GHz frequency range. In late 2023, the Ministry for Science and ICT (MSIT) announced a USD 325 million initiative to develop “pre-6G” technology and announced its goal of being the first country in the world to deploy commercial 6G, aiming for services to be offered to users as early as 2028 (MSIT 2022). The plan builds on the previously established K-Network 2030 strategy launched in February 2023 that focuses on securing 6G technology, promoting software-based network innovation, and strengthening supply chains (MSIT 2023).
In May 2022, the Institute for Information & Communication Technology Promotion (IITP) from Republic of Korea and the National Science Foundation (NSF) from the United States signed a joint research MoU during the Korea-US Summit. The summit also produced a 6G R&D implementation plan focusing on 10 strategic technologies in six different focus areas (MSIT 2022).
Source: MSIT.
In July 2024, MIST announced a new initiative tilted “6G Society” that aims to strengthen cooperation between the fields of 6G mobile communication and satellite (RCR News 2024).The government plans to designate the 6G Society as a bilateral consultation body between the government and the 6G Forum, which coordinates global cooperation on 6G.
Country spotlight: Brazil INATEL and the 5G and 6G Competence Center
In 2024, the Brazilian government launched two calls for inputs – on spectrum planning and access activities for applications including future generations of mobile networks, and on the use of AI in different segments of the ICT ecosystem, for 6G deployment.
In addition to its educational programs, the National Institute of Telecommunications (INATEL) recently launched a 5G and 6G Competence Center supported by the Brazilian Company for Industrial Research and Innovation (EMBRAPII). Announced in February 2023, INATEL and the University of Oulu’s 6G Flagship announced a partnership to work toward 6G network solutions (6G Flagship 2023). Beyond the flagship program, the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPQ) funds academic projects across Brazil.
Challenges for adoption
Technical challenges
Alignment on the technical requirements related to both hardware and spectrum allocation can help avoid issues related to unwanted interference. Ensuring interoperability between existing infrastructure and future systems will also be essential for ensuring a smooth migration, which is particularly welcomed by the economies of developing countries.[2] A harmonized and consensus-based spectrum identification process, as carried out by ITU-R, will help meet the needs of countries using the whole range of spectrum available.
Infrastructure needs may vary by country and those with already extensive networks will be the most prepared to transition to 6G systems. Countries like Japan and the Republic of Korea can leverage the presence of major hardware vendors. Other countries with less developed network ecosystems and fewer domestic vendors may need dedicated funding to expand 6G infrastructure. As an example, to get ahead of this issue, the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications partnered with three private companies including Viettel, VNPT, and MobiFone to develop 6G equipment research (VietNam News 2023).
Regulatory and policy challenges
At the global level, achieving consensus among countries on frequency allocations can be a challenge. This highlights the importance of the ongoing discussions in relation to the WRC-27 agenda item 1.7[3] (ITU-R 2024b). On a regional level, uncoordinated rollout of 6G networks could result in interference issues with neighboring countries. Spectrum harmonization can enable countries to better facilitate economies of scale, enable global roaming, reduce complexity of equipment design, and improve spectrum efficiency including potentially reducing cross border interference. Increased commonality of equipment would in turn help achieve economies of scale and affordability, thus promoting digital inclusion (ITU-R 2023, 11).
Risks to consumers and businesses
- Enhanced cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities posed by integration with AI and IoT devices, and privacy concerns due to increased data processing capabilities
- Need to ensure a smooth transition to 6G without leaving consumers without connection (6G World)
While the enhanced speeds and connectivity expected from 6G technologies serve to benefit users, they also present risks in the form of increased cybersecurity threats. Further, as integration with AI and IoT devices expands, the potential for violations of data protection and privacy increases. New and robust encryption techniques will be required to prevent data breaches and other unauthorized access to personal information as well as to network security.
6G also fosters innovation in autonomous technologies including connected automated vehicles, drones, and industrial equipment. Adequate safety measures are needed to ensure these newly enabled technologies are not susceptible to hacking, malfunction, or misuse.
For businesses, ensuring that they can take advantage of the digital transformation enabled through the switch to 6G can prevent them from getting left behind. Education and training initiatives will help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to leverage new advancements in network connectivity for their economic benefit.
Looking to the future
Future of work
IMT-2030 is expected to support immersive experiences, enhanced ubiquitous coverage, and new applications. Compared to IMT-2020, IMT-2030 is envisaged to support expanded and new usage scenarios while providing enhanced and new capabilities. Spanning from 2024 to 2027, the next phase for implementation of the “IMT-2030 framework” will focus on defining relevant requirements and evaluation criteria for potential radio interface technologies (RIT) for IMT-2030. Specifically, future work will produce reports on technical performance requirements, submission templates, and evaluation methodology ultimately culminating in a recommendation on RIT specifications (ITU-R 2023b).
Source: ITU-R.
An essential part of the IMT-process consists of seeking input and collaborating with external organizations, such as 3GPP and other standardization bodies around the world. Outside stakeholders can help regulators receive region-specific information and help identify future trends and new services. However, it is also critical for governments to ensure efficient coordination on efforts related to 6Gat national level.
Key findings
6G systems are still in early stages of development. However, this nascency warrants proactive action on behalf of governments and policy makers to understand the benefits, challenges, and broad implications of 6G. In this fast-changing environment, it would benefit developing countries to focus on anticipating future developments to maximize the benefits of 6G while minimizing the risks.
As 6G research continues to advance, the global interest in shaping the future of 6G will also grow as countries seek to usher in the next era of connectivity. Several countries have expressed support for comprehensive sharing and compatibility studies to facilitate informed decisions regarding potential IMT identification in the identified bands, during discussions at the ITU-R Study Groups. This proactive stance is aligned with their national initiatives to drive 6G innovation and early deployment.
Fostering a collaborative environment that addresses diverse perspectives and balances national interests will be essential for achieving a globally harmonized approach to 6G spectrum identification. A comprehensive and multistakeholder approach conducted through regulatory mechanisms such as public consultations, regulatory sandboxes, and other means is essential for global coordination on standards and efficient spectrum allocation. This harmonization, in turn, will pave the way for unlocking the full potential of 6G and its promise of a more connected and technologically advanced future.
References
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5G Infrastructure Public Private Partnership (5G PPP), 2024. India’s Bharat 6G Alliance and 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA) Announce Memorandum of Understanding. June 24. https://5g-ppp.eu/indias-bharat-6g-alliance-and-6g-smart-networks-and-services-industry-association-6g-ia-announce-memorandum-of-understanding/
6G Flagship, 2023. University of Oulu’s 6G Flagship and Inatel collaborate to develop advanced solutions for rural 6G networks. February 24. https://www.6gflagship.com/news/university-of-oulus-6g-flagship-and-inatel-collaborate-to-develop-advanced-solutions-for-rural-6g-networks/
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- 3GPP-compliant 5G services must meet the standardized performance and functional requirements for enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine-type communications (mMTC), underpinned by a cloud-native, service-based core architecture with network slicing to support diverse use cases. ↑
- These include the least developed countries, small island developing states, landlocked developing countries and countries with economies in transition. ↑
- WRC-27 agenda item 1.7: “to consider studies on sharing and compatibility and develop technical conditions for the use of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) in the frequency bands 4 400-4 800 MHz, 7 125-8 400 MHz (or parts thereof), and 14.8-15.35 GHz taking into account existing primary services operating in these, and adjacent, frequency bands, in accordance with Resolution 256 (WRC-23)”. ↑