The process of developing standards, protocols and technologies is governed by the ITU and 3GPP. The ITU is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs). Among other tasks, the ITU facilitates international connectivity in communication networks and develops the technical standards that ensure networks and technologies connect seamlessly.
The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) unites seven telecommunications standard development organizations (ARIB, ATIS, CCSA, ETSI, TSDSI, TTA, TTC), known as Organizational Partners providing their members with a stable environment to produce the Reports and Specifications that define 3GPP technologies. 3GPP specifications cover cellular telecommunications technologies, including radio access, core network and service capabilities, which provide a complete system description for mobile telecommunications. 3GPP specifications also provide hooks for non-radio access to the core network, and for interworking with non-3GPP networks 1 .
Raising 3GPP to an international-standards project has brought a synergy between the ITU’s calls for generations of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) systems and 3GPP’s work. Cooperation between 3GPP TSG RAN and ITU-R Working Party 5D (WP 5D) has established a solid roadmap for the creation of new radio interface technologies and evolving regulation and spectrum allocations for their use 2 .
Similar to previous generations of cellular architecture (analogue cellular (1G), digital cellular (2G), IMT ‑ 2000 (3G), IMT‑ Advanced (4G), and IMT ‑ 2020 (5G)), standardization bodies such as 3GPP and ETSI, as well as industry groups such as the Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) Alliance, are expected to play a key role in 6G development.
Introduction of IMT-2030, also known as 6G
The Radiocommunication Assembly 2023 (RA-23) of the ITU has approved the revisions of Resolution ITU-R 56, confirming the name for the next generation of IMT (aka 6G) isIMT-2030 and Resolution ITU-R 65, which describes the principles of the IMT-process. 3 Along with these revisions, RA-23 approved the new Recommendation on the IMT-2030 Framework, which has become Recommendation ITU-R M. 2160. Together with the existing Report on Future Technology Trends ITU-R M.2516 , this marks completion of the initial phase, setting the basis for the development of IMT International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)-2030 4 .
The next phase (2024-2027) will be the definition of relevant requirements and evaluation criteria for potential radio interface technologies (RIT) for IMT-2030 – (see ITU-R timeline for IMT-2030 below). 5
6G, scope and objectives for the next generation of mobile networks
With the evolution of information and communications technologies, IMT-2030 is expected to support enriched and potentially immersive experience, enhanced ubiquitous coverage, and enable new forms of collaboration. Furthermore, IMT-2030 is envisaged to support expanded and new usage scenarios compared to those of IMT-2020 (5G), while providing enhanced and new capabilities. IMT-2030 is further expected to help address the need for increased environmental, social, and economic sustainability, and also support the goals of the Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Recommendation ITU-R M. 2160 describes a framework and overall objectives for the development of the terrestrial component of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) for 2030 and beyond (IMT-2030). IMT is expected to continue to better serve the needs of the networked society, for both developed and developing countries in the future. In this Recommendation, the framework of the development of IMT-2030, including a broad variety of capabilities associated with envisaged usage scenarios, is described. Furthermore, this Recommendation addresses the objectives for the development of IMT-2030, which include further enhancement and evolution of existing IMT. Aspects of interworking with other networks are also addressed 6 .
Timeline for 6G
For a timeline for the development of IMT-2030, the following path is anticipated (source, see footnote 7 ).
6G, the business case
Operators – at least in Europe – are apparently reluctant to commit to 6G investments. This reluctance to invest in 6G is not new. According to a May 2024 article in lightreading.com, European MNO executives have been saying for quite some time that the last thing they want is a costly 6G roll-out. Having spent heavily on 5G, they have struggled to monetize these investments and as a result are unwilling to repeat this experience with 6G 8 .
This reluctance is no doubt amplified by the fact that the roll-out of real 5G is ongoing. Most of transition is based on non-standalone 5G (NSA) using 5G radio technology alongside existing 4G core networks. Genuine transition to 5G requires a complete transition to an independent 5G network with its own core, referred to as standalone 5G (5G SA), that no longer depends on 4G/LTE technology. At the same time 5G is steadily evolving towards what is referred to as 5G Advanced.
In summary, 5G Advanced is like the next-level upgrade of 5G, bringing faster speeds, better reliability, energy efficiency, and support for advanced technologies, such as Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.
5G Advanced is expected to roll out in multiple phases starting from 2024 and continuing through 2026 and beyond. Some countries have already begun initial deployments. In 2025, we should see more widespread availability as the technology matures and more devices become compatible with 5G Advanced.
As far as main commercial developments are concerned, the 5G Observatory has observed that the main focus remains on the rollout and expansion of basic 5G networks across the EU, with various operators announcing new 5G coverage milestones. There has also been a continued effort by EU mobile operators to launch more 5G standalone (5G SA) services across the EU, although the deployment of SA services remains limited, and there is little transparency about the extent of operator rollouts 9 .
While many operators have now launched 5G SA configurations, measuring the overall progress of 5G SA across the EU presents a challenge for the 5G Observatory due to the reliance on public announcements and the lack of centralised data on the subject. It can also be unclear how widespread 5G SA is, when operators launch and whether it makes up a significant portion of their overall network 10 .
The proof of the pudding for 6G may well be the returns realised in the investment case for 5G-Advanced. Whether the investment case for 6G will be the widely anticipated new business cases, or simply rising data consumption or focus on services, remains to be seen.
What to expect from 6G in the long term
6G is expected to make a significant impact in a multitude of areas. 6G is expected to provide ultra-fast speeds and low latency with download speeds up to 1,000 Gbps, which surpass the current 10 Gbps maximum offered by 5G. Latency could be reduced to just a few microseconds, enabling real-time applications that handle complex data volumes. Furthermore, 6G will significantly increase the network’s capacity to handle connected devices. While 5G can support up to one million devices per square kilometre, 6G is expected to manage up to ten times that number. In addition, 6G technology promises improved reliability and security with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and potentially quantum computing.
These technological benefits will not only further accelerate the development and adoption of various emerging technologies, but will also facilitate the development of more advanced AI, capable of making instant decisions. AI will be particularly valuable for applications like as autonomous driving.
Finally, the expectation, or at least the aspiration, would be that 6G will foster geographically inclusive connectivity, or in other words a more geographically inclusive world, benefiting rural areas.
Whether these expectations (and aspirations, it is hoped) will be met is in all probability not so much a question of if but of when.
Regulatory considerations
As with previous generations, development and deployment of 6G technology will require additional spectrum allocation including low, mid and high frequencies, so a new round of allocation / auctioning is to be expected at national levels.
To achieve global scale economies and interoperability - as already mentioned in this contribution - international coordination on 6G standards will be crucial. Coordination efforts include harmonizing spectrum policies and ensuring that devices and networks can operate seamlessly across borders.
6G networks need to be resilient and able to support critical infrastructure. As with existing network technology, regulators will need to establish robust security frameworks to protect data and ensure network integrity. The use of AI and Machine Learning in networks will no doubt also require regulatory attention.
Finally, to ensure that the digital divide further decreases, regulators will need to create policies that promote equitable access and address the cost of delivery.
Conclusion
5G is not just a technological evolution; it is a revolution that is redefining industries, enhancing European citizens’ lives, and transforming societies. However, realizing its full potential requires that critical challenges be addressed head-on or there is a clear risk the EU will lag behind other regions. The industry is fighting for its sustainability and this requires more investment-friendly spectrum policies and fair market structures to deploy 5G with relevant cybersecurity measures in place that provide citizens with more resilient networks.
By tackling these barriers, Europe can unlock the transformative power of 5G, driving innovation, fostering sustainability, and ensuring competitiveness on the global stage. The promise of 5G is within reach, but it will take collective effort under the new EU mandate to bring 5G’s full vision to life.
