ATIS: Next G Alliance leadership and 6G Roadmap – Is it premature?
The Alliance for Telecom Industry Solutions (ATIS) has announced election results for the Next G Alliance and its Steering Group as well as the launch of work on a 6G Roadmap.
Andre Fuetsch, Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, AT&T, has been named chair of the Next G Alliance executive governing body, the Full Member Group (FMG). Jan Söderström, Ericsson’s Head of Technology Office Silicon Valley, has been named FMG vice chair. Among its many roles, the FMG sets the overall strategy and direction for the Next G Alliance as well as its organizational policies. Both the chair and vice chair serve a two-year term.
Three co-chairs have also been named for the Next G Alliance Steering Group (SG). The SG is composed of technology leaders and experts who will identify key North American R&D needs, standards strategies and market readiness policies to achieve the goals established by the Next G Alliance. The SG co-chairs are: AT&T Assistant Vice President – Standards & Industry Alliances Brian Daly; Head of North American Standardization at Nokia, Devaki Chandramouli; and VMware Director, Edge & AI Ecosystems, Telco Cloud Business Unit, Benoit Pelletier.
Setting the stage for the eventual commercialization of 6G, the work of the Next G Alliance will influence and encompass the full lifecycle of research and development, manufacturing, standardization and market readiness. As an initial priority, a 6G Roadmap Working Group has been launched. The National 6G Roadmap being developed will act as a foundation for future outputs, delivering a common vision and destination point for achieving North American 6G wireless leadership. It will define what is needed in terms of research needs, technology developments, service and application enablers, policies and government actions and market priorities.
In addition to the 6G Roadmap Working Group, the Next G Alliance will simultaneously launch a “Green G” Working Group focused on achieving energy efficiency by reducing power consumption and assessing how to achieve a sustainable ecosystem with emerging technologies. The Working Group will evaluate the environmental impact of a broad range of sources including water and materials consumption as well as the use of renewable or ambient energy.
“While innovation frequently occurs in response to market needs, long-term technology leadership takes strategic foresight and critical stakeholders committed to reaching the desired future state,” said Susan M. Miller, President and CEO, ATIS. “With its leadership set and work on both sustainability and the 6G Roadmap launched, the Next G Alliance is well positioned to create a national vision for the next decade.”
Thus far, the Next G Alliance has united 45 of the leading information and communications companies in a shared commitment to advance the evolution of 5G, chart the future of 6G technology and put North America at the forefront of wireless technology leadership for the next decade and beyond. The membership spans infrastructure, semiconductors and device vendors; operators; hyper-scalers and other organizations, including those in the area of research.
If your company is interested in joining, contact ATIS Membership Director Rich Moran.
Learn more about the Next G Alliance at: https://nextgalliance.org/
About ATIS:
As a leading technology and solutions development organization, the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) brings together the top global ICT companies to advance the industry’s business priorities. ATIS’ 150 member companies are currently working to address 6G, 5G, robocall mitigation, IoT, Smart Cities, artificial intelligence-enabled networks, distributed ledger/blockchain technology, cybersecurity, emergency services, quality of service, billing support, operations, and much more. These priorities follow a fast-track development lifecycle – from design and innovation through standards, specifications, requirements, business use cases, software toolkits, open source solutions, and interoperability testing.
ATIS is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). ATIS is the North American Organizational Partner for the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a founding Partner of the oneM2M global initiative, a member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as well as a member of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL). For more information, visit www.atis.org. Follow ATIS on Twitter and on LinkedIn.
Editorial Comment:
We think it’s very premature to start an INDEPENDENT group to plan the future of 6G networks for North America. That’s because 5G standards and specs are not even close to be finished. The standardization work on 6G hasn’t started in earnest yet. There’s only an ITU-R draft report on “Technology Trends of terrestrial IMT systems towards 2030 and beyond,” which is scheduled to be completed in July 2022.
Regarding 5G standards and specs being incomplete, revision 6 of ITU-R M.1036 recommendation specifying Frequency Arrangements for the terrestrial component of IMT (including 5G/IMT 2020) has not yet been agreed upon yet in ITU-R WP5D. It should include all the WRC 19 recommended frequencies for 5G/IMT 2020, especially mmWave.
Another example is that 3GPP Release 16 URLLC in the RAN [Physical Layer Enhancements for NR Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communication (URLLC)] has not been completed, despite that release being frozen last July.
3GPP Release 16 5G NR-URLLC in the RAN spec status as of as of March 25, 2021:
- RP-191584 5G NR Physical Layer Enhancements for Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communication (URLLC) [UID=830074 and CODE=NR_L1enh_URLLC] was 37% complete. It is scheduled for completion June 12, 2022).
- RP-190726 Performance part: Physical Layer Enhancements for NR Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communication (URLLC) spec was 0% complete and hasn’t been updated since 2019.
- RP-200472 revised NR performance requirement enhancement [UID=840094 CODE=NR_perf_enh] was 0% complete.
URLLC Enhancement of URLLC support in the 5G Core network (UID=830098) is stated to be 90% complete.
Note also that there are no ITU-T recommendations/standards that specify implementation for IMT 2020/5G non radio aspects. All the work is being done in 3GPP and at a reference architecture level that does NOT specify detailed implementation. That applies to 3GPP specs on 5G core network, network slicing, and other highly touted 5G features.
Hence, there will surely be many implementations of 5G “cloud native” core networks, network slicing, virtualization, security, etc
We think any 6G technology aspects and specification work should be done in ITU-R WP5D for the RAN and 3GPP for the RAN and Core network.
References:
https://www.3gpp.org/DynaReport/GanttChart-Level-2.htm#bm830074
10 thoughts on “ATIS: Next G Alliance leadership and 6G Roadmap – Is it premature?”
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This seems to be a marketing move. The cable industry, through CableLabs, already upped the bar by using 10G as the marketing term to describe their efforts to upgrade their infrastructure to 10G.
https://www.cablelabs.com/10g
Will having something that is only “6G” even be enough to compete in the eye’s of the average consumer?
The editor correctly noted in his comments, that today’s 5G standards (ITU-R) and specifications (3GPP) failed to specify many of the critical 5G technical capabilities, features and functions. Those include: 5G NR enhancements for URLLC, 5G frequency arrangements, 5G Stand Alone (SA) and Core Network specifications and all that go with it (e.g. network slicing, virtualization, automation, network management, security, etc).
Without solid research results and compliance/performance testing in the above listed key technologies, 5G standards and specifications could not be completed, even though ITU-R and 3GPP say they were.
For example, if 3GPP Release 16 was frozen in early July 2020, why is the Release 16 work item 5G NR Physical Layer Enhancements for Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communication (URLLC) only 37% complete and not scheduled to be completed till June 2022?
In next few years, I can imagine all the current 5G jokes and user complaints will fade away, because there will not be any legitimate, real and implementable 5G end-to-end ecosystem or use cases. There will be few and far between 5G mission critical/ultra reliable OR ultra low latency (<1 ms in the data plane; 10 ms in the control plane as per ITU-R M.2410) applications.
I never believed 3GPP specifications that stated 5G URLLC use cases would achieve up to 11 9’s reliability and availability. Who were the editors and committee chairs to produce that garbage?
My guess is that this whole 5G hoax/smokescreen was stirred up by mostly Chinese companies with the CCP behind them.
It is time for America to stand up and take a leadership position in standards/implementation spec based 5G technology, whether that be real 5G (IMT 2020 vision), 5G+ (whatever that might be) or 6G (to be determined).
At the same time, our leadership should reject the fake 5G prevalent today. Indeed, we should refuse ANY fake technologies, even fake terminologies, which harms our nation and the world.
Outline of Technology Trends of IMT terrestrial systems towards 2030 and beyond:
[Emerging] Technology Trends and Enablers
5.1 Technologies for native AI based communication
5.1.1 AI-assisted new air interface (AI-AI)
5.1.2 Radio Network for AI
5.1.3 [Ethics and its supervision for wireless AI]
5.1.4 AI Driven Automated RAN Optimization
5.1.5 AI-Native Radio Network Architecture
5.1.6 AI-based MAC & MAC for AI
5.2 Technologies to enhance RAN privacy
5.3 Technologies for integrated sensing and communication
5.4 Technologies for integrated access and super sidelink communications
5.5 Technologies to enhance adaptability and sustainability
5.6 Technologies for efficient spectrum utilization
[Editors note: This section may be moved back to section 6]
5.6.1 Spectrum Sharing Technologies
5.6.1.1 Dynamic Spectrum Sharing
5.8 Technologies to enhance energy efficiency and low power consumption
5.8.1 Zero-energy IoT Technologies
5.8.2 Near zero-powered endpoints
5.8.3 Technologies for extremely low power communications
5.9 Technologies to support enhanced services and applications
5.9.1 [RAN Based Mobile edge computing]
5.10 Technologies to natively support real-time communications
5.11 Technologies to support the convergence of communication and computing
5.12 Technologies to support extreme low latency
5.13 Quantum Technology with respect to the RAN
6 Technologies to enhance the radio interface
6.1 Advanced modulation, coding and multiple access schemes
6.1.1 Advanced modulation coding schemes
6.1.2 Advanced waveforms
6.1.3 Multiple access
6.1.3.1 Multiple Access Technology for Massive-Broadband URLLC RAN
6.1.3.2 [AI-aided NOMA]
6.2 Advanced Antenna Technologies
6.2.1 Advanced/Extreme MIMO
6.2.1.2 AI-aided MIMO
6.3 Co-frequency Co-time Full Duplex (CCFD) communications
6.4 Multiple physical dimension transmission
6.4.1 Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS)
6.4.2 Holographic Radio
6.4.3 Orbital Angular Momentum
6.5 Tera-Hertz (THz) communications
6.5.1 Pencil-beam THz radio
[Emerging] Technology Trends and Enablers
5.1 Technologies for native AI based communication
5.1.1 AI-assisted new air interface (AI-AI)
5.1.2 Radio Network for AI
5.1.3 [Ethics and its supervision for wireless AI]
5.1.4 AI Driven Automated RAN Optimization
5.1.5 AI-Native Radio Network Architecture
5.1.6 AI-based MAC & MAC for AI
5.2 Technologies to enhance RAN privacy
5.3 Technologies for integrated sensing and communication
5.4 Technologies for integrated access and super sidelink communications
5.5 Technologies to enhance adaptability and sustainability
5.6 Technologies for efficient spectrum utilization [Editors note: This section may be moved back to section 6]
5.6.1 Spectrum Sharing Technologies
5.6.1.1 Dynamic Spectrum Sharing
5.8 Technologies to enhance energy efficiency and low power consumption
5.8.1 Zero-energy IoT Technologies
5.8.2 Near zero-powered endpoints
5.8.3 Technologies for extremely low power communications
5.9 Technologies to support enhanced services and applications
5.9.1 [RAN Based Mobile edge computing]
5.10 Technologies to natively support real-time communications
5.11 Technologies to support the convergence of communication and computing
5.12 Technologies to support extreme low latency
5.13 Quantum Technology with respect to the RAN
6 Technologies to enhance the radio interface
6.1 Advanced modulation, coding and multiple access schemes
6.1.1 Advanced modulation coding schemes
6.1.2 Advanced waveforms
6.1.3 Multiple access
6.1.3.1 Multiple Access Technology for Massive-Broadband URLLC RAN
6.1.3.2 [AI-aided NOMA]
6.2 Advanced Antenna Technologies
6.2.1 Advanced/Extreme MIMO
6.2.1.2 AI-aided MIMO
6.3 Co-frequency Co-time Full Duplex (CCFD) communications
6.4 Multiple physical dimension transmission
6.4.1 Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS)
6.4.2 Holographic Radio
6.4.3 Orbital Angular Momentum
6.5 Tera-Hertz (THz) communications
6.5.1 Pencil-beam THz radio
ITU-R WP5D is working on a Draft working document towards preliminary draft new Recommendation ITU‑R M.[IMT.VISION 2030 AND BEYOND]
This Recommendation will define the framework and overall objectives of the future development of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) for 2030 and beyond in light of the roles that IMT could play 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 future development of IMT for 2030 and beyond, including a broad variety of capabilities associated with envisioned usage scenarios, is described in detail. Furthermore, this Recommendation addresses the objectives of the future development of IMT for 2030 and beyond, which includes further enhancement of existing IMT and the development of IMT-[2030].
It should be noted that this Recommendation is defined considering the development of IMT to date based on Recommendation ITU-R M.2083.]
…………………………………………………………………………………….
Development of draft new Report ITU-R M.[IMT.FUTURE TECHNOLOGY TRENDS TOWARDS 2030 AND BEYOND]
The draft new Report ITU-R M.[IMT.FUTURE TECHNOLOGY TRENDS TOWARDS 2030 AND BEYOND] is intended as a precursor to a “beyond IMT-2020” vision document for 6G that ITU-R WP 5D intends to produce in 2022. This trends report will assess where the technology is, and the current uses are for IMT-2020/5G and seek to identify the gaps and technical enablers anticipated to be necessary in the 2030 timeframe.
Furthermore, the expectation is that this Report will energize the academic and technology community to engage in the research and developments necessary to underpin a “beyond IMT-2020 and 6G view” as just focusing on new uses cases is insufficient to build such a future and the technology evolution requires a long lead time to fruition.
SOURCE: Chairman’s Report: 37th e-meeting of Working Party 5D (1-12 March 2021 – Virtual)
Thanks for posting this blog and promoting the work started in ATIS.
As the person who proposed the Green G working group, I would comment that I see a strong need and opportunity to leverage the learnings we are getting from 5G to define what can be done to reduce the environmental impact of the telecom industry.
We intend to look into: energy efficiency, sleep mode, power management and using renewable energies. We will also examine the E2E lifecycle from raw material to manufacturing, supply chain, delivery, operation, termination including devices and network components, but also application, buildings, etc
We will take a holistic view to dramatically reduce our environmental impact, measure and control this impact, have incentives and rewards to stimulate actions from all, actors and consumers for a better planet!
I unequivocally submit that this is not premature!
I wholeheartedly agree that lessening the environmental impact of 5G is NOT premature. When recently asked what companies would make money in 5G, I replied those that can reduce the power consumption of 5G base stations and end points as well as those firms that can reduce the environmental impact.
Hence, I firmly believe that there should be activities within ITU-R and 3GPP to reduce the environmental impact of 5G for all use cases. This should NOT wait for 6G or 5G+ but is urgently needed now!
References:
https://jsis.washington.edu/news/what-will-5g-mean-for-the-environment/
https://www.raconteur.net/technology/5g/5g-environmental-impact/
https://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2020/08/13/coming-5g-revolution-will-affect-environment/
https://www.huawei.com/en/public-policy/green-5g-building-a-sustainable-world
The draft new Report ITU-R M.[IMT.FUTURE TECHNOLOGY TRENDS TOWARDS 2030 AND BEYOND] is intended as a precursor to a “beyond IMT-2020” vision document for 6G that ITU-R WP 5D intends to produce in 2022. This trends report will assess where the technology is, and the current uses are for IMT-2020/5G and seek to identify the gaps and technical enablers anticipated to be necessary in the 2030 timeframe.
https://techblog.comsoc.org/2021/04/14/itu-r-wp-5d-new-reports-on-imt-for-ppdr-applications-terrestrial-imt-for-imt-systems-for-cellular-vehicle-to-everything-more/
For sure, ATIS’s 6G initiative is way too premature. We don’t even have a standard for implementation of 5G SA core network, which is the ONLY way to realize true 5G features and benefits.
Please continue to keep us up to date with 6G articles like this one. Thanks for sharing.
There is a need to conclude on all the “requirements and evaluation methodology documentations” for IMT towards 2030 and beyond prior to the WRC-27, and to hold a workshop in relation to this completion by WP 5D with an invite to all ITU Members/members, together with external organizations and potential technology candidates for the new IMT family member (6G).
From a multi-company contribution to Aug 23-29, 2021 ITU-R WP 5D meeting