IMT-2030
3GPP approves timelines for Release 21 which will specify 6G RAN, Core and 5G Advanced
At 3GPPs meeting last week in Singapore, Technical Specification Group (TSG) RAN #112 approved the full Release-21 timeline jointly proposed by the three TSG Chairs. On June 12th, more than 150 participants from the regions ICT community attended ‘3GPP 6G Standardization: From Study to Specification,’ featuring the combined technical leadership of 3GPP. Topics covered in the summit included the 3GPP Chairs’ analysis of progress this week on 5G Advanced work items and 6G studies across the TSGs. There were also expert overviews on some key topics: AI/ML, ISAC (integrated sensing and communications), Massive MIMO evolution, NTN standards cooperation and security considerations for the 3GPP 6G System.
This formally completes the first 6G study item in 3GPP and sets the stage for the third quarter this year in which 3GPP working groups must settle numerous questions, including the migration architecture that network operators have wanted a decision on for over a year. 3GPP TSG RAN Chairman Younsun Kim, PhD, Samsung, said during a joint session with the other two TSGs (SA and CT) that “no decisions were possible” on migration options, with input now hoped for at TSG RAN#113, scheduled for September 14–17, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. Vodafone warned in a 3GPP contribution titled, “Good migration option decisions in September need hardware impacting decisions now!” that the September decision point only works if the plenary stopped deferring decisions.
Some achievements at this 3GPP Singapore meeting:
- Over 590 standards delegates welcomed by our Hosts to Singapore.
- Social events and a Singapore Industry summit on 3GPP held.
- Singapore Ministry and Government visitors welcomed as guests.
- All Work Items and Study Items for 5G‑Advanced on schedule in Release‑
- 14 Study Items for 6G progressing.
- The TSG RAN Study on 6G Scenarios and requirements (TR 38.914) approved this week.
- First timeline for early 6G specifications approved (Rel-21).
3GPP’s Release 21 will comprise the first 6G specs as well as 5G-Advanced. Release 21 work items for 6G and 5G-Advanced are scheduled to be approved with a first functional freeze in March 2027 and a second freeze in June 2028, with a “checkpoint” in March 2028 for 80% of the work to be done. The stage 3 final freeze is set for December 2028. The full and final code freeze is scheduled for March 2029.
Guy Daniels wrote in a blog post titled, “Analysis of 3GPP RAN #112: Timeline locked but the migration question unanswered“:
There is a 3GPP structural oddity in the details. The March 2027 6G “package approval” is the approval of a placeholder whose RAN2/3/4 content is finalized three months later. This is deliberate concurrency, not an oversight, it’s how the 3GPP works. The normative engineering windows are equally tight: RAN1 runs Q2 2027 to Q3 2028; RAN2/3/4 run Q3 2027 to Q4 2028; six quarters each to specify a new radio generation.”
“The Scenarios and Requirements study is finished, but the political questions it deferred are not. The requirements now say what 6G must do. September begins the fight over what it will be.”
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In a blog post summarizing last week’s plenary meeting, Ericsson said 6G standardization “is in full swing” and highlighted some of the early 6G decisions, including choices for waveform, modulation, channel coding, a basic security framework and supported bandwidths. The agreed 6G waveform is to use cyclic-prefix orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (CP-OFDM) in the downlink. There are two options for uplink: CP-OFDM and discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM). Supported bandwidths will range from 3MHz to 400MHz. 3GPP also agreed that 5G channel codes “will be largely reused” in 6G.
Here’s Ericsson’s timeline for 6G:
“6G is coming into focus…We are at a point now where a lot of pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together,” Gabriel Brown, senior principal analyst at Omdia, explained in a recent podcast with colleague and analyst Ruth Brown (no relation). The analysts also presented the 6G state of play at the 6G Summit hosted by ATIS’s Next G Alliance ahead of Network X Americas last month. Gabriel noted there has been a mindset shift among telcos about 6G from being “cautious” to “embracing it.” He said that the World Radiocommunication Conference next year (WRC-27) and the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028 will be important “checkpoints” for the anticipated early 2029 arrival of the 6G standards.
“[The LA Summer Olympics] is going to be an amazing opportunity for the U.S. ecosystem to showcase the potential of next-generation connectivity…It’s a chance to show how wireless can serve all the other industries there,” he added.
It will be important to watch for 3GPP’s September 2026 Madrid meeting output deliverables to get a sense of what functions and features might be in 6G RANs.
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6G Core Network:
The 6G core network architecture (such as signaling, network management, security, 6G specific features, and AI-native core architecture) will be defined in Release 21 Stage-2 (System & Architecture) scheduled to be completed in June 2028. Stage-3 (Protocol Specifications) is slated for December 2028 with ASN.1 & OpenAPI Freeze to be completed in March 2029.
3GPP decided NOT to liaise/contribute their 5G SA core network architecture specs to ITU-T, but ETSI rubber stamped them. Just as they did with IMT-2020 (5G), 3GPP will likely maintain exclusive development and control over all non-radio specifications for IMT-2030 (6G). Instead of formalizing them through ITU-T. 3GPP relies on its own Organizational Partners, e.g. ETSI and ATIS, to adopt the core network framework in their standards. 3GPP decided to bypass ITU-T for the 5G mobile core network, opting to develop 5G SA core network specs directly to ensure rapid, market-driven deployment.
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Addendum – 3GPP specs are NOT standards and have no legal standing:
What most, if not all, telecom trade publications (like this one) get completely wrong is that 3GPP does not produce standards, but specifications via their Releases. Those must be contributed, discussed, debated and approved by official SDOs like ITU-R and ETSI or other 3GPP members.
In the case of 5G/IMT 2020, ATIS presented all 3GPP RIT/SRIT specifications as contributions to ITU-R WP5D, which is 100% responsible for all IMT terrestrial radio interface standards (ITU-R recommendations). It should also be noted that ITU-R WP 5D has sole responsibility for IMT 2030/6G Frequency Arrangements which will be done after 6G frequencies are agreed at the ITU World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-27),which is scheduled to take place from October 18 to November 12, 2027, in Shanghai, China.
“The 3GPP Technical Specifications and Technical Reports have, in themselves, no legal standing. They only become “official” when transposed into corresponding publications of the Partner Organizations (or the national / regional standards body acting as publisher for the Partner). At this point, the specifications are referred to as UMTS within ETSI and FOMA within ARIB/TTC.”
https://portal.etsi.org/new3g/specs/publications_partners.htm
From Qualcomm:
“3GPP Organization – Fixing three common misconceptions: 3GPP develops technical specifications, not standards. This is a subtle, but important organizational clarification. 3GPP is an engineering organization that develops technical specifications. These technical specifications are then transposed into standards by the seven regional Standards Setting Organizations (SSOs) that form the 3GPP partnership.”
https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2017/08/understanding-3gpp-starting-basics
The Partnership Project is not a legal entity but is a collaborative activity between the following recognized Standards Development Organizations (SDO):
- The Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB) – Japan
- The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) – US
- China Communications Standards Association (CCSA) – China
- The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) – Europe
- Telecommunications Standards Development Society (TSDSI) – India
- Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) – South Korea
- Telecommunication Technology Committee (TTC) – Japan
The Partnership Project is entitled the “THIRD GENERATION PARTNERSHIP PROJECT” and may be known by the acronym “3GPP.”
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References:
https://www.3gpp.org/news-events/3gpp-news/tsg112#:~:text=3GPP%20plenaries
https://www.3gpp.org/news-events/3gpp-news/rel21-timeline
https://6gfutures.substack.com/p/analysis-of-3gpp-ran-112-timeline
https://www.ericsson.com/en/blog/2026/6/6g-standardization-key-milestones-and-ran-decisions
https://www.3gpp.org/about-us/legal-matters
https://portal.etsi.org/new3g/specs/publications_partners.htm
https://www.lightreading.com/6g/it-s-official-6g-specs-are-set-for-early-2029
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/study-groups/rsg5/rwp5d/imt-2030/Pages/default.aspx
Roles of 3GPP and ITU-R WP 5D in the IMT 2030/6G standards process
ITU-R M.[IMT-2030.EVAL] & ITU-R M.[IMT-2030.SUBMISSION] reports: Evaluation & Submission Guidelines for 6G RIT/SRITs (6G)
IMT-2030 (“6G”) Minimum Technology Performance Requirements for Radio Interface Technologies
Comparing AI Native mode in 6G (IMT 2030) vs AI Overlay/Add-On status in 5G (IMT 2020)
Analysis: Nvidia’s rumored new 6G AI-RAN – likely features/functions and industry impact
ITU-R WP 5D Timeline for submission, evaluation process & consensus building for IMT-2030 (6G) RITs/SRITs
ITU-R WP 5D reports on: IMT-2030 (“6G”) Minimum Technology Performance Requirements; Evaluation Criteria & Methodology
AI wireless and fiber optic network technologies; IMT 2030 “native AI” concept
Highlights of 3GPP Stage 1 Workshop on IMT 2030 (6G) Use Cases
Should Peak Data Rates be specified for 5G (IMT 2020) and 6G (IMT 2030) networks?
GSMA Vision 2040 study identifies spectrum needs during the peak 6G era of 2035–2040
Highlights and Summary of the 2025 Brooklyn 6G Summit
NGMN: 6G Key Messages from a network operator point of view
Nokia and Rohde & Schwarz collaborate on AI-powered 6G receiver years before IMT 2030 RIT submissions to ITU-R WP5D
Verizon’s 6G Innovation Forum joins a crowded list of 6G efforts that may conflict with 3GPP and ITU-R IMT-2030 work
Nokia Bell Labs and KDDI Research partner for 6G energy efficiency and network resiliency
Deutsche Telekom: successful completion of the 6G-TakeOff project with “3D networks”
Market research firms Omdia and Dell’Oro: impact of 6G and AI investments on telcos
Qualcomm CEO: expect “pre-commercial” 6G devices by 2028
Ericsson and e& (UAE) sign MoU for 6G collaboration vs ITU-R IMT-2030 framework
Virtualization’s role in 5G Advanced (3GPP Release 18) and a proposed new hardware architecture
Dell’Oro: 6G RAN Capex to reach $500 billion by 2034 + Counterpoint
Dell’Oro Report Summary:
According to a recent Dell’Oro Group report, global telecom operators will spend $500 billion on 6G infrastructure over the next decade. During that same period, the overall network equipment market is projected to grow at just a 1% CAGR. Telco revenues are expected to grow at 3% over the next decade. The report’s base-case scenario envisions 6G as an evolutionary technology that builds on Massive MIMO, the existing site grid, and wider channel bandwidths to deliver step-change improvements in RAN economics.
“While the G decoupling movement is gaining momentum for all the right reasons, the most likely scenario is still that 6G will be another G, with 6G RAN capex expected to accelerate toward the end of the decade,” said Stefan Pongratz, Vice President of RAN and Telecom Capex Research at Dell’Oro Group. “At the same time, operators are in a much stronger position today from a network capacity perspective than they were during the transition from 4G to 5G. As a result, cumulative 6G RAN revenue during the first six years of the cycle is projected to be 10 to 20 percent lower than during the comparable period of the 5G cycle.”
Additional highlights from the June 2026 6G Advanced Research Report include:
- 6G RAN is expected to scale rapidly, with cumulative RAN revenue and wireless capex during the first six years projected to exceed $100 B and $500 B, respectively.
- 6G is not expected to expand the overall RAN market. Instead, the baseline scenario projects the broader RAN market to grow at a 1 percent CAGR between 2030 and 2034.
- Both Sub-7 GHz and cmWave spectrum bands are expected to play important roles in 6G deployments, although momentum behind spectrum above 7 GHz continues to build.
- Cumulative 6G RAN investments between 2029 and 2034 are projected to account for approximately half of total RAN capex during the same forecast period.
Dell’Oro Group’s 6G Advanced Research Report offers an overview of the RAN market, including tables showing total RAN revenue by technology (2G-6G) from 2000 to 2034. 6G RAN is analyzed by spectrum (Sub-7 GHz, cmWave, mmWave), by Massive MIMO, by RF Power (Macro, Micro, Pico), and by region (North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, China, Asia Pacific Excl. China, and CALA). To purchase this report, please contact us by email at [email protected].
Editor’s Counterpoint:
We don’t agree with Stefan’s statement that “6G RAN is expected to scale rapidly,” based on the delays and failures of ITU-R’s IMT 2020 (5G) standards and 3GPPs 5G SA core network specifications.
A phased ramp-up is more likely, as early commercial launches begin at the end of 2030 and early 2031. Then slower scaling through the early 2030s as spectrum, devices, infrastructure, and business cases mature.
At this point in time, we have no idea what the IMT 2030 RIT/SRITs will be or 3GPPs 6G SA Core network functionality. ITU WP5D’s IMT-2030 work is still setting requirements and evaluation criteria, and candidate RIT submissions are only expected in the 2027–2029 window. The ITU-R also says the technical performance requirements are minimum levels for consideration and do not guarantee real-world deployment performance. That’s similar to IMT 2020/5G RITs, where ITU-R M.2410 report: minimum performance requirements were NOT met for URLLC – ultra high reliability or ultra low latency (1ms in the data plane; 10ms in the control plane).
In other words, approval creates the foundation, not instant scale. That points to a 6G RAN standards process that finishes just as first deployments begin, not one that guarantees immediate mass rollout.
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3GPP Release 20 (2025–2026): Early 6G studies focused on requirements/architecture
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3GPP Release 21 (2027–2028): First concrete 6G specifications, core radio/network framework
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3GPP 6G functional freeze: December 2028
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ITU-R IMT-2030 formal approval: December 2026 for technical performance requirements; full RIT/SRIT approval late 2030–early 2031.
This timeline confirms the Counterpoint’s “standards finish just as first deployments begin” concern—there’s no guarantee of immediate mass rollout. Furthermore, 6G SA has not yet been defined while 5G SA is still rolling out in 2026 – six years after 5G NR specs and IMT 2020 RIT standards were completed. Therefore, the 2030-2031 6G commercial launch assumption is optimistic for many markets.
What’s needed by 2030: globally harmonized work, spectrum studies across low, mid, mmWave, and sub-THz bands, and network operator/vendor roadmaps. Once those crystalize they could support fast 6G uptake in premium pockets such as dense urban zones, enterprise campuses, and fixed wireless/edge-centric use cases where the economics are strongest. That means “rapid” is plausible in targeted launches, not across entire national footprints.
6G will likely face the same structural constraints that slowed 5G: spectrum availability, device ecosystems, deployment costs, and the need to integrate with 5G-Advanced during the transition time period. Higher-band operation, especially above 100 GHz, is technically feasible but still requires mature propagation, hardware, and deployment architectures before it can scale widely. The result is usually a long coexistence period where 5G remains the coverage layer while 6G expands selectively.
The likely pattern is “launch first, scale later,” with meaningful expansion depending more on spectrum policy, device availability, and operator ROI than on the standard approval itself.
Deployment timeline:
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2026–2027: Standards and requirements work intensifies, with 3GPP/ITU alignment still being shaped and operators pushing for realistic deployment timelines.
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2028–2029: Pre-commercial and early pilot networks appear, especially in dense urban, enterprise, and testbed environments.
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2030: First commercial 6G launches are widely expected by the end of 2030, but these will be selective rather than universal.
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2031–2033: Main capex ramp and larger-scale rollout window, as more of the macro grid, transport, and edge layers are upgraded.
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2034 and beyond: Broader geographic expansion and more mature multi-band coverage, with 6G taking on a larger share of traffic and enterprise use cases.
6G Capex Outlook:
Dell’Oro’s view that the 6G capex ramp starts around the end of 2030 (we think it will be 2031), while cumulative 6G RAN investment in 2029–2034 could account for 55% to 60% of total RAN capex in that period. A separate data-driven forecast argues global 6G capex could land somewhere in the sub-$1 trillion to about $1.5 trillion range over a decade, depending on traffic growth and spec assumptions. That is a wide band, but it is consistent with a technology transition that reuses much of the existing macro grid rather than replacing everything at once.
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Sebastian Barros wrote:
6G will deliver necessary operational improvements. It will utilize new 7GHz spectrum, improve radio performance, and lower the cost per bit for operators still recovering from the 5G capex hangover. However, consumers and enterprises do not pay a premium for faster pipes. Connectivity is now a hyper-commoditized utility.
If Telcos want to capture value in this new economy, they must stop defining their core business as “connectivity.” Telecom is a distribution business.
Networks serve as the last-mile delivery system for the global economy. In the past, the industry distributed voice, SMS, and 8K video. Today, the asset being distributed is intelligence. Hyperscalers are building massive, centralized AI data centers, but that compute power requires a physical delivery mechanism to reach users.
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References:
Current 6G Trajectory is Evolutionary, According to Dell’Oro Group
Dell’Oro: RAN Market Stabilized in 2025 with 1% CAG forecast over next 5 years; Opinion on AI RAN, 5G Advanced, 6G RAN/Core risks
Market research firms Omdia and Dell’Oro: impact of 6G and AI investments on telcos
ABI Research: 6G Radio Installed Base by Region from 2029 to 2034
GSMA Vision 2040 study identifies spectrum needs during the peak 6G era of 2035–2040
IMT-2030 (“6G”) Minimum Technology Performance Requirements for Radio Interface Technologies
At its February 2026 meeting in Geneva, ITU-R WP 5D reached agreement on the technical performance requirements for IMT-2030, also known as 6G. Formal approval is expected to follow when the parent ITU-R study group 5 meets in December 2026.
At their Feb 2026 meeting, WP 5D WG Technology Aspects/SWG Radio Aspects discussed all the 16 contributions related to that document. It was clarified that these requirements are to be evaluated according to the criteria defined in Report ITU-R M.[IMT 2030.EVAL] and M.[IMT 2030.SUBMISSION]. They are used only for development of IMT-2030 radio interface technologies (RIT/SRITs).
IMPORTANT: As noted many times, 3GPP will specify the 6G Core network and 6G Architecture which will have their own performance requirements. See References below.
The working party’s draft new report, “Minimum requirements related to technical performance for IMT‑2030 radio interface(s),” outlines 20 technical performance requirements (TPR). Seven of them are new and specific to describe the 6G performances. Those IMT 2030 technical performance requirements will be used as unified requirements to evaluate the 6G radio interfaces (RITs/SRITs).
Image Credit: ITU-R
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The IMT-2030 Usage Scenarios:
The full set of requirements is based on six proposed usage scenarios for 6G networks:
- Immersive communication (IC)
- Hyper reliable and low‑latency communication (HRLLC)
- Massive communication (MC)
- Ubiquitous connectivity (UC)
- Artificial intelligence (AI) and communication (AIAC)
- Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC)
The IMT-2030 framework:
The newly defined 6G requirements build on the IMT‑2030 framework that ITU first published in December 2023 as a globally harmonized foundation for next‑generation connectivity (Recommendation ITU‑R M.2160). This recommendation also defines the overarching principles for future network design, notably:
- Sustainability.
- Security and resilience.
- Connecting the unconnected.
- Ubiquitous intelligence.
ITU – the United Nations agency for digital technologies – aims for the 6th generation of mobile communications (6G) to enable affordable, resilient, energy‑efficient networks for health, education, agriculture and disaster response. Advanced networks also present a way to close the persistent digital divide that today leaves many people in low-income countries behind.
This work to date provides a unified technical foundation to evaluate the candidate radio interfaces for IMT-2030 and guide the evolution of global 6G research and standardization.
Groundwork for future resilience:
IMT‑2030 lays the groundwork for affordable, high‑quality connectivity to remote and underserved communities. By setting globally harmonized performance requirements, it aims to ensure access for everyone, make communication systems more resilient, support sustainability and implement energy‑efficient technologies. ITU aims for innovative 6G services to deliver broad social and economic benefits.
The 20 requirements set out in the new draft report are meant to provide a consistent basis for specification and evaluation. While the requirements establish minimum performance levels, they do not restrict implementation approaches or guarantee real-world deployment performance.
They reflect ongoing global research and technology activities and should pave the way for concrete IMT-2030 evaluation guidelines, the next step in ITU’s global standardization process for 6G.
Accordingly, the IMT-2030 draft report has been submitted for approval to ITU‑R Study Group 5, responsible for terrestrial radiocommunication services, at a meeting scheduled for 1 December.
Until then, the draft remains available exclusively to ITU‑R members directly involved in its finalization and approval. You need a TIES login account to access ITU documents.
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About ITU-R Study Group 5:
ITU-R Study Group 5 is responsible for Terrestrial Services, including Fixed Wireless, Mobile (land, maritime and aeronautical), radiodetermination service as well as amateur and amateur-satellite services and the development of international standards, regulation and guidelines for these systems. The group’s work encompasses a wide range of topics, including spectrum management, network architecture, and radio interface technologies.
About ITU-R Working Party 5D:
ITU-R Working Party 5D is responsible for the development and harmonization of international standards for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) systems, including the latest IMT-2030 (6G) technology. The working party’s efforts ensure interoperability and global compatibility for wireless communication systems.
Further information on IMT‑2030 and related activities is available on the portal for IMT towards 2030 and beyond.
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References:
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/study-groups/rsg5/rwp5d/Pages/default.aspx
Roles of 3GPP and ITU-R WP 5D in the IMT 2030/6G standards process
ITU-R M.[IMT-2030.EVAL] & ITU-R M.[IMT-2030.SUBMISSION] reports: Evaluation & Submission Guidelines for 6G RIT/SRITs (6G)
ITU-R WP 5D reports on: IMT-2030 (“6G”) Minimum Technology Performance Requirements; Evaluation Criteria & Methodology
Comparing AI Native mode in 6G (IMT 2030) vs AI Overlay/Add-On status in 5G (IMT 2020)
AI wireless and fiber optic network technologies; IMT 2030 “native AI” concept
Verizon’s 6G Innovation Forum joins a crowded list of 6G efforts that may conflict with 3GPP and ITU-R IMT-2030 work
ITU-R WP5D IMT 2030 Submission & Evaluation Guidelines vs 6G specs in 3GPP Release 20 & 21
Highlights of 3GPP Stage 1 Workshop on IMT 2030 (6G) Use Cases
Development of “IMT Vision for 2030 and beyond” from ITU-R WP 5D
ITU-R M.[IMT-2030.EVAL] & ITU-R M.[IMT-2030.SUBMISSION] reports: Evaluation & Submission Guidelines for 6G RIT/SRITs (6G)
Backgrounder:
As stated for years in IEEE Techblog posts, ITU-R Working Party 5D (WP 5D) is responsible for all International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) terrestrial radio interface technology (RIT/SRIT) reports and standards, e.g. 3G, 4G, 5G (IMT 2020) and 6G (IMT 2030).
5D has developed the minimum technical performance requirements and the evaluation criteria for IMT 2020 (5G) and will do so now for IMT 2030 (6G) along with other reports and standards described in this article
While any ITU member can propose IMT 2030 RIT/SRIT candidate standards, it is expected that they will principally come from 3GPP which contributes their specs to 5D via ATIS.
Standards for the non-radio aspects of 5G (e.g. core network, security, network slicing, etc) and 6G were supposed to be promulgated by ITU-T, but 3GPP (which develops those specifications) years ago decided NOT to liaise their specs with ITU-T.
–>Please see References at the bottom of this article for more information.
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ITU-R M.[IMT-2030.EVAL] – 6G RIT/SRIT Evaluation Criteria:
The 5D WG Technology aspects/SWG Evaluation is working on a report which will provide guidelines for the procedure, the methodology and the criteria (technical, spectrum and service) to be used in evaluating the candidate IMT-2030 radio interface technologies (RITs) or Set of RITs (SRITs) for a number of test environments. These test environments are chosen to closely simulate more stringent radio operating environments.
The evaluation procedure is designed in such a way that the overall performance of the candidate RITs/SRITs may be fairly and equally assessed on a technical basis. It ensures that the overall IMT-2030 objectives are met. This Report provides, for proponents, developers of candidate RITs/SRITs and independent evaluation groups, the common evaluation methodology and evaluation configurations to evaluate the candidate RITs/SRITs and system aspects impacting the radio performance.
–>This report is scheduled to be finalized at the WP 5D Meeting No. 52 (Geneva, 27 May-5 June 2026).
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ITU-R M.[IMT-2030.SUBMISSION] – 6G RIT/SRIT Submission Guidelines:
The draft new 5D Report ITU-R M.[IMT-2030.SUBMISSION], originating from the 5D July 2025 meeting, defines the submission guidelines, templates, and evaluation methodology for 6G Radio Interface Technologies (RITs/SRITs). The report focuses on enabling technology proposals for IMT-2030 which are to be submitted from February 2027 to February 2029 for 5D evaluation and approval.
- Submission & Evaluation Guidelines: The report serves as the official guide for submitting candidate Radio Interface Technologies (RITs) or Sets of Radio Interface Technologies (SRITs) for IMT-2030.
- Structure: It is modeled after earlier reports like M.2411 (for 5G), defining the evaluation criteria, procedures, and templates for 6G technologies.
- Technical Requirements: It outlines minimum performance requirements (MPRs) for 6G, including advanced capabilities like artificial intelligence, energy efficiency, and joint requirements.
- Timeline: The report is central to the 2027-2030 timeline, aiming for the first submissions at the 54th WP 5D meeting (Feb 2027) and final submission by early 2029.
- Context: It aligns with the ITU-R M.2160 framework (the “6G Vision”), which encompasses six usage scenarios: immersive communication, hyper-reliable low-latency communication, massive communication, ubiquitous connectivity, AI-integrated communication, and integrated sensing and communication.
WP 5D Workplan for IMT 2030 RIT/SRITs:
As previously noted, 5D will accept and evaluate IMT 2030 candidate RIT/SRIT submissions starting at 54th meeting of WP 5D, currently planned for February 2027. The final deadline for submissions is 12 calendar days prior to the start of the 59th meeting of WP 5D in February 2029. The evaluation of the proposed RITs/SRITs by the independent evaluation groups and the consensus-building process will be performed throughout this two year time period and thereafter. Subsequent calendar schedules will be decided according to the submissions of proposals to 5D.
WP 5D meetings in 2030 will focus on the final stages of evaluating, adopting, and approving 6G technology submissions, aiming for approval of the final IMT-2030 recommendation in late 2030. The 5D tentative meeting schedule for 2030:
- Meeting No. 62 (February 2030): 1 Finalize Addendum 6 to Circular Letter taking into account the draft new Report ITU-R M.[IMT-2030. OUTCOME]. 2 Review and update the work plan, if necessary.
- Meeting No. 63 (June 2030): 1 Develop and finalize Addendum 7 to Circular Letter taking into account completion of the draft new Recommendation ITU-R M.[IMT 2030.SPECS].
- Meeting No. 63 (October 2030): Finalize standards before potential approval by ITU-R SG 5 in November 2030 or early 2031.
References:
ITU-R WP 5D Meeting Reports (TIES access required)
https://www.itu.int/en/events/Pages/Calendar-Events.aspx?sector=ITU-R&group=R23-WP5D
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/study-groups/rsg5/rwp5d/imt-2030/pages/default.aspx
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/study-groups/rsg5/rwp5d/imt-2030/Pages/submission-eval.aspx
Roles of 3GPP and ITU-R WP 5D in the IMT 2030/6G standards process
ITU-R WP 5D Timeline for submission, evaluation process & consensus building for IMT-2030 (6G) RITs/SRITs
ITU-R WP5D IMT 2030 Submission & Evaluation Guidelines vs 6G specs in 3GPP Release 20 & 21
Highlights of 3GPP Stage 1 Workshop on IMT 2030 (6G) Use Cases
ITU-R WP 5D reports on: IMT-2030 (“6G”) Minimum Technology Performance Requirements; Evaluation Criteria & Methodology
ITU-R: IMT-2030 (6G) Backgrounder and Envisioned Capabilities
Verizon’s 6G Innovation Forum joins a crowded list of 6G efforts that may conflict with 3GPP and ITU-R IMT-2030 work
Ericsson and e& (UAE) sign MoU for 6G collaboration vs ITU-R IMT-2030 framework
ITU-R WP5D invites IMT-2030 RIT/SRIT contributions
NGMN issues ITU-R framework for IMT-2030 vs ITU-R WP5D Timeline for RIT/SRIT Standardization
IMT-2030 Technical Performance Requirements (TPR) from ITU-R WP5D
Should Peak Data Rates be specified for 5G (IMT 2020) and 6G (IMT 2030) networks?
Comparing AI Native mode in 6G (IMT 2030) vs AI Overlay/Add-On status in 5G (IMT 2020)
Executive Summary:
AI integration in 6G specifications (3GPP) and standards (ITU-R IMT 2030) highlights a strategic shift in the telecom industry towards AI-native networks, with telecom industry heavyweights like Huawei, Samsung, Ericsson, and Nokia actively developing foundational technologies. Unlike 5G, where AI and machine learning were limited applications or add-on features over existing architecture, 6G will incorporate AI from the onset with an “AI native” approach where intelligence will allow the network to be smart, agile, and able to learn and adapt according to changing network dynamics.
This transformation is necessary because future 6G networks will be too complex for human operators to manage, requiring AI-empowered and learning-driven networks that can facilitate zero-touch network management through capabilities including learning, reasoning, and decision-making.
- AI-Native Networks: The industry consensus is that 6G will be “AI-native,” meaning artificial intelligence will be built directly into the core functions of network control, resource management, and service orchestration. This moves AI from an optimization layer in 5G to an foundational element in 6G.
AI Native Image Courtesy of Ericsson
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- Company Initiatives:
- Huawei is focused on making AI a native element of the network architecture (AI-native 6G) rather than an overlay technology, integrating communication, sensing, computing, and intelligence. This vision, called “Connected Intelligence,” involves two aspects: AI for 6G (network automation) and 6G for AI (AI as a Service, AIaaS). More in Huawei Research Areas below.
- Samsung is a major proponent of AI-RAN (Radio Access Network) technology. The company hosted a summit in November 2025 to showcase working AI-RAN technology that autonomously optimizes network performance and is conducting joint research with SK Telecom (SKT) on AI-supported RAN. Samsung sees vRAN (virtualized RAN) as a key enabler for “AI-native, 6G-ready networks”.
- Ericsson emphasizes the necessity of a strong 5G Standalone (5G SA) foundation for an AI future, using AI to manage and automate current networks in preparation for 6G’s demands. Ericsson is also integrating agentic AI into its platforms for more autonomous network management.
- Nokia is deepening its AI push, licensing software to expand AI use in mobile networks and preparing for early field trials in 2026 by porting baseband software to platforms like NVIDIA’s, which opens the door for more advanced AI use cases.
- Industry Analysis and Trends:
- Standardization: 2026 is crucial as formal 6G specification work begins in earnest within 3GPP with Release 21. In WP5D, the IMT 2030 RIT/SRIT standardization work will commence at the February 2027 meeting with the final deadline for submissions at the February 2029 meeting. More in the ITU-R WP5D section below.
- The AI-RAN Alliance is an industry initiative (not a traditional SDO) focused on accelerating real-world AI applications and integration within the RAN. It works alongside SDOs, providing industry insights and pushing for rapid validation and testing of AI-RAN technologies, with a specific focus on leveraging accelerated computing.
- Automation and Efficiency: AI-native algorithms in 6G are expected to deliver extreme spectrum and energy efficiency, significantly reducing operational costs for telcos while improving reliability and performance.
- Monetization Challenges: Despite the technological promise, analysts caution that 6G remains largely theoretical for now. Some operators are stalling on full 5G SA deployment, waiting to move to 6G-ready cores later in the decade, leading to concerns that 5G SA might become an “odd generation.”
- Infrastructure Constraints: The physical demands of AI infrastructure, particularly energy consumption and construction timelines, are becoming operational realities that may bound the pace of AI growth in 2026, regardless of software advancements.
- ITU-R Working Party (WP) 5D is making AI a native and foundational element of the 6G (IMT-2030) system, rather than the “add-on” or “overlay” status it had in 5G (IMT 2020). This shift is being achieved through the definition of specific AI capabilities and requirements that future 6G technologies must inherently support. In particular:
- Defining AI as a Core Capability: The Recommendation ITU-R M.2160 (“Framework and overall objectives of the future development of IMT for 2030 and Beyond”) officially defines “Artificial Intelligence and Communication” as one of the six major usage scenarios and an overarching design principle for IMT-2030.
- Integrating AI into the Radio Interface: WP 5D is actively developing technical performance requirements (TPRs) and evaluation criteria for proposed 6G radio interface technologies (RITs) that inherently incorporate AI/Machine Learning (ML). This includes work on:
- AI-enabled air interface design: This involves the physical layer, potentially moving towards AI-native physical (PHY) layers that can dynamically adapt waveforms and network parameters in real-time, rather than relying on predefined, static configurations.
- AI-driven resource management: AI/ML algorithms will be crucial for real-time optimization of spectral and energy efficiency, managing complex traffic, and ensuring Quality of Service (QoS).
- Enabling AI-Driven Services: The framework for IMT-2030 is designed to support the full lifecycle of AI components, from data collection and model training to deployment and performance monitoring, enabling new AI-driven services and applications directly within the network infrastructure.
- Establishing a Formal Timeline: WP 5D has established a clear timeline for 6G standardization, with specific stages for vision, requirements, evaluation methodology, and specifications. This structured approach ensures that all proposed RITs/SRITs are evaluated against the new AI-native requirements, promoting global alignment and preventing AI from becoming a fragmented, proprietary solution.
- Stage 1 (Vision): Completed in June 2023.
- Stage 2 (Requirements & Evaluation): Targeted for completion in 2026.
- Stage 3 (Specifications): Expected by the end of 2030.
- Purpose: AI is integral to the entire network lifecycle, from initial design and deployment to autonomous operation and service creation.
- Integration Level: Intelligence is embedded across all layers of the network stack, including the physical layer (air interface), control plane, and data plane.
- Scope: AI enables core functionalities such as real-time self-optimization, self- healing capabilities, and dynamic resource allocation, rather than static, predefined configurations.
- Outcome: The creation of a fully cognitive, self-managing, and highly adaptable “intelligence fabric” capable of supporting advanced use cases like real-time holographic communication, digital twins, and autonomous systems with ultra-low latency.
| Feature | 5G (IMT-2020) | 6G (IMT-2030) |
|---|---|---|
| AI Role | Optimization tool (overlay) | Foundational and native element |
| Network Operation | Manual configuration with AI assistance | Autonomous and self-managing |
| Air Interface | Human-designed with some ML optimization | AI/ML-designed and managed |
| Complexity Management | Relies on standard protocols | Manages complexity through embedded AI/ML |
| Services Supported | Enhanced mobile broadband, basic IoT | Integrated AI & Communication, sensing, holographic comms |
–>By embedding AI into the fundamental design principles and technical requirements of IMT-2030, ITU-R WP 5D is ensuring that 6G is an AI-native network capable of self-management, self-optimization, and supporting a vast ecosystem of AI applications, a significant shift from the supplementary role AI played in 5G.
- Agentic-AI Core (A-Core): Huawei unveiled a blueprint for a 6G core network (which will be specified by 3GPP and NOT ITU) where services are managed by specialized AI agents using a large-scale network AI model called “NetGPT”. This allows the network to program, update, and execute its own control procedures automatically without human intervention, based on natural language instructions.
- Network Architecture Redesign: Huawei proposes the NET4AI system architecture, a service-oriented design that moves beyond the 5G service-based architecture. It introduces a dedicated data plane (DP) to handle the massive volume of data generated by AI and sensing services, enabling flexible and efficient many-to-many data flow for distributed learning and inference.
- Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC): A core pillar of Huawei’s 6G work is the native integration of sensing with communication. This allows the network to use radio waves for high-resolution sensing, localization, and imaging, creating a “digital twin” of the physical world. The large volume of data collected from sensing then serves as a source for AI model training and real-time environmental monitoring.
- Distributed Machine Learning: Huawei researches deep-edge architecture to enable massive, distributed, and collaborative machine learning (ML). This includes the development of frameworks like a two-level learning architecture that combines federated learning (FL) and split learning (SL) to optimize computing resources and ensure data privacy by keeping raw data local to devices.
- AI as a Service (AIaaS): The 6G network is designed to provide AI capabilities as a service, allowing the training and inference of large AI models to be distributed across the network (edge and cloud). This offers low-latency performance and access to rich data for AI-driven applications like collaborative robotics and autonomous driving.
- Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: The company is researching how native AI capabilities can improve overall energy efficiency by up to 100 times compared to 5G. This involves smart energy control, dynamic resource scaling, and optimizing communication paths for lower power consumption.
- Standardization and White Papers: Huawei is actively contributing to global 6G discussions and standardization bodies like the ITU-R, sharing its vision through publications such as the book 6G: The Next Horizon – From Connected People and Things to Connected Intelligence and various technical white papers. The goal is to define the technical specifications and use cases for 6G that will drive industry-wide innovation by around 2030.
References:
https://www.ericsson.com/en/reports-and-papers/white-papers/ai-native
Roles of 3GPP and ITU-R WP 5D in the IMT 2030/6G standards process
AI wireless and fiber optic network technologies; IMT 2030 “native AI” concept
ITU-R WP5D IMT 2030 Submission & Evaluation Guidelines vs 6G specs in 3GPP Release 20 & 21
ITU-R WP 5D Timeline for submission, evaluation process & consensus building for IMT-2030 (6G) RITs/SRITs
ITU-R WP 5D reports on: IMT-2030 (“6G”) Minimum Technology Performance Requirements; Evaluation Criteria & Methodology
AI wireless and fiber optic network technologies; IMT 2030 “native AI” concept
Highlights of 3GPP Stage 1 Workshop on IMT 2030 (6G) Use Cases
Should Peak Data Rates be specified for 5G (IMT 2020) and 6G (IMT 2030) networks?
GSMA Vision 2040 study identifies spectrum needs during the peak 6G era of 2035–2040
Highlights and Summary of the 2025 Brooklyn 6G Summit
NGMN: 6G Key Messages from a network operator point of view
Nokia and Rohde & Schwarz collaborate on AI-powered 6G receiver years before IMT 2030 RIT submissions to ITU-R WP5D
Verizon’s 6G Innovation Forum joins a crowded list of 6G efforts that may conflict with 3GPP and ITU-R IMT-2030 work
Nokia Bell Labs and KDDI Research partner for 6G energy efficiency and network resiliency
Deutsche Telekom: successful completion of the 6G-TakeOff project with “3D networks”
Market research firms Omdia and Dell’Oro: impact of 6G and AI investments on telcos
Qualcomm CEO: expect “pre-commercial” 6G devices by 2028
Ericsson and e& (UAE) sign MoU for 6G collaboration vs ITU-R IMT-2030 framework
KT and LG Electronics to cooperate on 6G technologies and standards, especially full-duplex communications
Highlights of Nokia’s Smart Factory in Oulu, Finland for 5G and 6G innovation
Nokia sees new types of 6G connected devices facilitated by a “3 layer technology stack”
Rakuten Symphony exec: “5G is a failure; breaking the bank; to the extent 6G may not be affordable”
India’s TRAI releases Recommendations on use of Tera Hertz Spectrum for 6G
New ITU report in progress: Technical feasibility of IMT in bands above 100 GHz (92 GHz and 400 GHz)
Roles of 3GPP and ITU-R WP 5D in the IMT 2030/6G standards process
Setting the Record Straight: Many pundits and tech media outlets have been buzzing about 6G. One of many examples is today’s featured Light Reading post titled, “Looking ahead: Ready or not, here comes 6G.” There are also a plethora of 6G alliances and consortiums that are working on proposed 6G technologies — long before the 3GPP specifications or ITU-R IMT 2030/6G standards have been completed. We endeavor to provide an accurate summary of the standardization work in this article, including the delineation of activates between ITU-R and 3GPP.
Executive Summary:
As we’ve explained in numerous IEEE Techblog posts (see References below), ITU-R establishes the technical requirements and minimal performance objectives for IMT 2030 (6G) Radio Interface Technologies (RITs), and Sets of RITs (SRITs). As in IMT 2020 (5G RITs/SRITs), 3GPP develops the actual RIT/SRIT specifications, which are then contributed to ITU-R WP 5D (via ATIS) where they are discussed and agreed upon as a candidate ITU-R IMT 2030 RIT/SRIT for the forthcoming recommendation (i.e. standard). Other IMT 20230 RIT/SRITs might also be considered by 5D.
Author’s Note on IMT 2020: In addition to the 3GPP 5G-NR specs included in IMT 2020 standard (ITU-R M.2150), there were also two others (5Gi/LMLC and ETSI/DECT 5G-SRIT) which have not been widely deployed (ETSI/DECT 5G-SRIT) or deployed at all (5Gi/LMLC). The ITU-R standard for IMT 2020 Frequency Arrangements is ITU-R M.1036, which provides templates and guidelines for implementing IMT in the WRC identified bands, while Recommendation ITU-R M.2150 details the radio interfaces.
5G and 6G Frequency Bands and Arrangements: In addition to IMT 2020/5G and IMT 2030/6G RIT/SRITs, ITU-R WP5D develops the associated 5G and 6G Frequency Arrangements, based on the inputs received from the most recent ITU-R World Radio Communications (WRC) conference. The most recent WRC (#23) was held Dec 2023 in Dubai, UAE which did not definitively identify specific frequency bands for IMT-2030 (6G) deployment, but rather agreed on frequency bands to be studied as potential candidates for WRC-27 (in 2027) and beyond. So we don’t even know which frequencies will be used for IMT 2030/6G at this time.
5G and 6G Non-Radio Specifications: As with IMT 2020, 3GPP will develop all the non-radio specifications for IMT 2030/6G but will not likely send them to ITU-T for standardization as 3GPP did not do that for IMT 2020. Those non-radio specs include: mobile core network (and the role AI will play), signaling, security (including cryptography), network management (including AI), integrated sensing and communications, distributed access points, digital models for network optimization and planning, extending MEC, etc.
3GPP 6G Status: 3GPP’s specification work on 6G is currently in the early stages, focusing on requirements, architecture, and key technology enablers with a projected timeline that targets initial 6G specifications by 2028–2030 for commercial systems. The work is organized through 3GPP’s releases:
- Release 19 initiating 6G requirement studies in 2024.
- Release 20 expanding on 6G architecture and technology exploration in 2025 in parallel with 5G advanced.
- Release 21 delivering the first concrete 6G specifications, and subsequent releases refining features and interoperability toward mass deployment around 2030. The timeline for the actual spec work for this release is to be decided by June 2026.
The overall plan aligns with ITU’s timeline for 6G ecosystem readiness and commercial availability by roughly 2030, though exact finish dates depend on evolving technical, regulatory, and market conditions.
3GPP Release 20 concurrent work on 5G Advanced and 6G: This approach reflects a general view that 6G should be more of an evolution rather than a revolution. The big three equipment vendors Ericsson, Huawei and Nokia see 5G Advanced as a foundation for 6G, but in their own specific ways. “This dual focus on both 5G Advanced and 6G we needed to ensure that there is a continuity and to create a framework that allows the two tracks to complement but not compete with each other,” said Puneet Jain, Chair of 3GPP’s Service and Systems Aspects working group and senior principal engineer for technical standards at Intel, in a video interview.
Examples of 5G Advanced capabilities that are expected to be further developed in 6G include: the integration of machine learning into the RAN and core networks, energy efficiency, low latency, advanced MIMO techniques and satellite integration, according to 5G Americas. The latest 5G Advanced specs also address integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), which is considered to be an important new capability for 6G.
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Here’s a concise technical summary of the 6G standardization work in both ITU-R and 3GPP:
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Scope and objectives
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Establish 6G service requirements and use cases, including extreme data rates, ultra-low latency, high reliability, and enhanced AI-driven network management, while ensuring backward compatibility where feasible.
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Define a scalable, flexible air interface and spectrum strategy to support wide bandwidths (including frequencies above 7 GHz and potential THz considerations) and diverse deployment scenarios.
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Core architectural themes
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Enhanced cloud-native, end-to-end network architecture with distributed computing, edge capabilities, and AI/ML-driven orchestration for dynamic resource management.
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Native support for integrated space-air-ground networks and network slicing to enable heterogeneous service delivery and global coverage.
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Air interface and radio aspects
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Investigations into wider channel bandwidths, robust channel coding hybrids (LDPC and Polar codes as baselines with extensions), and numerology that can span multiple bands while maintaining scalable, energy-efficient designs.
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Emphasis on robust coverage, especially at cell edges, and efficient use of mid-band and higher-frequency spectrum to balance performance and practical deployment considerations.
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Mobility and latency
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Aiming for lower end-to-end latency, improved reliability, and advanced mobility support to enable new immersive and industrial applications, while ensuring interoperability with 5G and future network layers.
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Security and privacy
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Early attention to security-by-design within the 6G architecture, including native protection of data planes and resilient identity/authentication mechanisms across heterogeneous networks.
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Timeline and milestones (progress up to projected completion dates):
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2024: Initiation of 6G work in Release 19, focused on requirements and initial study items for 6G SA1 service requirements.
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2025–2026: Continued refinement of use cases, service requirements, and architectural concepts; preparatory work for Release 20 items.
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2027–2028: First concrete 6G specifications anticipated in Release 21, with core radio and network framework definitions, and initial protocol stack extensions.
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2029–2030: Further releases (Release 22 onward) expand interoperability, optimization, and ecosystem compatibility, moving toward commercial deployment and early trials.
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Target commercial availability: Roughly 2030, with initial systems expected to appear earlier in some pilots or regional deployments depending on market and regulatory readiness.
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Public summaries and industry analyses triangulate the timeline and major themes from 3GPP plenaries and RAN/SA/WG discussions, with dates anchored to 2024–2028 planning and the stated aim of Release 21 delivering the first 6G specifications.
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Draft documents and WG SID proposals provide insight into technical directions (coding, bandwidth, channel modeling, and spectrum considerations), though these are interim and subject to change as the standardization process evolves.
Submission of IMT 2030 RIT/SRIT proposals may begin at 54th meeting of ITU-R WP 5D, currently planned for February 2027. The final deadline for submissions is 16:00 hours UTC, 12 calendar days prior to the start of the 59th meeting of WP 5D in February 2029.
The evaluation of the proposed RITs/SRITs by the independent evaluation groups and the consensus-building process will be performed throughout this time period and thereafter. Subsequent calendar schedules will be decided according to the submissions of proposals.
After ITU-R WP 5D approves a recommendation (e.g for IMT 2030) it then goes through a formal approval process before it becomes a standard. It is sent to ITU-R SG 5 for approval, then all ITU member states review the draft and if there is near unanimous approval it is adopted as an official ITU-R recommendation or standard. That ITU-R recommendation approval process takes ~3 or 4 months. Therefore, we expect the ITU-R IMT 2030 RIT/SRIT standard to be approved in late 2030 to early 2031 with early 6G deployments to begin at that time.
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References:
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/study-groups/rsg5/rwp5d/imt-2030/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.lightreading.com/6g/looking-ahead-ready-or-not-here-comes-6g
https://www.3gpp.org/specifications-technologies/releases/release-20
https://www.5gamericas.org/5g-advanced-overview/
ITU-R WP5D IMT 2030 Submission & Evaluation Guidelines vs 6G specs in 3GPP Release 20 & 21
ITU-R WP 5D Timeline for submission, evaluation process & consensus building for IMT-2030 (6G) RITs/SRITs
ITU-R WP 5D reports on: IMT-2030 (“6G”) Minimum Technology Performance Requirements; Evaluation Criteria & Methodology
AI wireless and fiber optic network technologies; IMT 2030 “native AI” concept
Highlights of 3GPP Stage 1 Workshop on IMT 2030 (6G) Use Cases
Should Peak Data Rates be specified for 5G (IMT 2020) and 6G (IMT 2030) networks?
GSMA Vision 2040 study identifies spectrum needs during the peak 6G era of 2035–2040
Highlights and Summary of the 2025 Brooklyn 6G Summit
NGMN: 6G Key Messages from a network operator point of view
Nokia and Rohde & Schwarz collaborate on AI-powered 6G receiver years before IMT 2030 RIT submissions to ITU-R WP5D
Verizon’s 6G Innovation Forum joins a crowded list of 6G efforts that may conflict with 3GPP and ITU-R IMT-2030 work
Nokia Bell Labs and KDDI Research partner for 6G energy efficiency and network resiliency
Deutsche Telekom: successful completion of the 6G-TakeOff project with “3D networks”
Market research firms Omdia and Dell’Oro: impact of 6G and AI investments on telcos
Qualcomm CEO: expect “pre-commercial” 6G devices by 2028
Ericsson and e& (UAE) sign MoU for 6G collaboration vs ITU-R IMT-2030 framework
KT and LG Electronics to cooperate on 6G technologies and standards, especially full-duplex communications
Highlights of Nokia’s Smart Factory in Oulu, Finland for 5G and 6G innovation
Nokia sees new types of 6G connected devices facilitated by a “3 layer technology stack”
Rakuten Symphony exec: “5G is a failure; breaking the bank; to the extent 6G may not be affordable”
India’s TRAI releases Recommendations on use of Tera Hertz Spectrum for 6G
New ITU report in progress: Technical feasibility of IMT in bands above 100 GHz (92 GHz and 400 GHz)
AI wireless and fiber optic network technologies; IMT 2030 “native AI” concept
To date, the main benefit of AI for telecom has been to reduce headcount/layoff employees. Light Reading’s Iain Morris wrote, “Telecom operators and vendors, nevertheless, are already using AI as the excuse for thousands of job cuts made and promised. So far, those cuts have not brought any improvement in the sector’s fortunes. Meanwhile, ceding basic but essential skills to systems that hardly anyone understands seems incredibly risky.” Some say that will change with 6G/ IMT 2030, but that’s a long way off. Others point to AI RAN, but that has not gotten any real market traction with wireless telcos.
As Gen AI development accelerates, robust wireless and fiber optic network infrastructure will be essential to accommodate the substantial data and communication volume generated by AI systems. Initially, the existing network ecosystem—encompassing wireless, wireline, broadband, and satellite services—will absorb this traffic load. However, the expanding requirements of AI are anticipated to drive the future emergence of entirely new network architectures and communication paradigms.
For sure, AI needs massive, fast, reliable connectivity to function, driving demand for low latency optical networks and 6G/ IMT 2030, which AI itself will optimize, leading to better efficiency, security, resource management, and new services like real-time AR/VR, ultimately boosting telecom revenue and innovation across the entire digital ecosystem.
Source: Pitinan Piyavatin/Alamy Stock Photo
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- AI Backend Scale-Out and Scale-Up Networks: These are specialized, private networks within and across data centers designed to connect numerous GPUs and enable them to function as one massive compute resource. They utilize technologies like:
- InfiniBand: A long-standing high-bandwidth, low-latency technology that has become a top choice for connecting GPU clusters in AI training environments.
- Optimized Ethernet: Ethernet is gaining ground for AI workloads through the development of enhanced, open standards via the Ultra Ethernet Consortium (UEC). These enhancements aim to provide lossless, low-latency fabrics that can match or exceed InfiniBand’s performance at scale.
- High-Speed Optics: The use of 400 Gbps and 800 Gbps (and soon 1.6 Tbps) optical interconnects is critical for meeting the massive bandwidth and power requirements within and between AI data centers.
- Edge AI Networking: As AI inferencing (generating responses from AI models) moves closer to the end-user or device (e.g., in autonomous vehicles, smart hospitals, or factories), specialized edge networks are needed. These networks must ensure low latency and localized processing to enable real-time responses.
- AI-Native 6G Networks: The upcoming sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks are being designed with AI integration as a core principle, rather than an add-on.
- These networks are expected to be fully automated and self-evolving, using AI to optimize resource allocation, predict issues, and enhance security autonomously.
- They will support extremely high data rates (up to 1 Tbps), ultra-low latency (around 1 ms), and new technologies like AI-RAN (Radio Access Network) that integrate AI capabilities directly into the network infrastructure.
- More in next section below.
- Self-Evolving Networks: The ultimate goal is the development of “self-evolving networks” where AI agents manage and optimize the network infrastructure autonomously, adapting to new demands and challenges without human intervention.
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In IMT 2030/6G networks, AI will shift from being an “add-on” optimization tool (as in 5G) to a native, foundational component of the entire network architecture. This deep integration will enable the network to be self-organizing, highly efficient, and capable of supporting advanced AI applications as a service. Native AI for IMT-2030 (6G) means building AI directly into the network’s core architecture, making it AI-first and pervasive, rather than adding AI as an overlay; this enables self-optimizing, intelligent networks that can autonomously manage resources, provide ubiquitous AI services, and offer seamless, context-aware experiences with minimal human intervention, fundamentally transforming both network operations and user applications by 2030.
- Ubiquitous Intelligence: Embedding AI everywhere, enabling distributed intelligence for AI model training, inference, and deployment directly within the network infrastructure, extending to the network edge.
- Autonomous Operations: AI handles complex tasks like network optimization, resource allocation, and automated maintenance (O&M) in real-time, reducing reliance on manual intervention.
- AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS): The network transforms into a unified platform providing both communication and AI capabilities, making AI accessible for various applications.
- Intelligent Processing: AI drives functions across the air interface, resource management, and control planes for highly efficient operations.
- Data-Driven Automation: Leverages big data and real-time analytics to predict issues, optimize performance, and automate complex decision-making.
- Seamless User Experience: Moves beyond touchscreens to AI-driven interactions, offering more natural and contextual computing.
- Autonomous Operations: AI will enable self-monitoring, self-optimization, and self-healing networks, drastically reducing the need for human intervention in operation and maintenance (O&M).
- Dynamic Resource Management: ML algorithms will analyze massive amounts of network data in real-time to predict traffic patterns and user demands, dynamically allocating bandwidth, power, and computing resources to ensure optimal performance and energy efficiency.
- AI-Native Air Interface: AI/ML models will replace traditional, manually engineered signal processing blocks in the physical layer (e.g., channel estimation, beam management) to adapt dynamically to complex and time-varying wireless environments, improving spectral efficiency.
- Enhanced Security: AI will be critical for real-time threat detection and automated incident response across the hyper-connected 6G ecosystem, identifying anomalies and mitigating security risks that are not well understood by current systems.
- Digital Twins: AI will power the creation and management of real-time digital twins (virtual replicas) of the physical network, allowing for sophisticated simulations and testing of network changes before real-world deployment.
- Pervasive Edge AI: AI model training and inference will be distributed throughout the network, from the cloud to the edge (devices, base stations), reducing latency and enabling real-time, localized decision-making for applications like autonomous driving and industrial automation.
- Support for Advanced Use Cases: The massive data rates (up to 1 Tbps), ultra-low latency, and high reliability enabled by AI in 6G will facilitate new applications such as holographic communication, remote robotic surgery with haptic feedback, and collaborative robotics that were not feasible with 5G.
- Federated Learning: The network will support distributed machine learning techniques, such as federated learning, which allow AI models to be trained on local data across various devices without the need to centralize sensitive user data, thus ensuring data privacy and security.
- Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC): AI will process the rich environmental data gathered through 6G’s new sensing capabilities (e.g., precise positioning, motion detection, environmental monitoring), allowing the network to interact with and understand the physical world in a holistic manner for applications like smart city management or augmented reality.
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AI‑native air interface and RAN:
IMT‑2030 explicitly expects a new AI‑native air interface that uses AI/ML models for core PHY/MAC functions such as channel estimation, symbol detection/decoding, beam management, interference handling, and CSI feedback. This enables adaptive waveforms and link control that react in real time to channel and traffic conditions, going beyond deterministic algorithms in 5G‑Advanced.
At the RAN level, IMT‑2030 envisions “native‑AI enabled” architectures that are simpler but more intelligent, with data‑driven operation and distributed learning across gNBs, edge nodes, and devices. AI/ML will be applied end‑to‑end for resource allocation, mobility, energy optimization, and fault management, effectively turning the RAN into a self‑optimizing, self‑healing system.
Integrated AI and communication services:
The framework defines “Artificial Intelligence and Communication” (often phrased as Integrated AI and Communication) as a specific usage scenario where the network provides AI compute, model hosting, and inference as a service. Example use cases include IMT‑2030‑assisted automated driving, cooperative medical robotics, digital twins, and offloading heavy computation from devices to edge/cloud via the 6G network.
To support this, IMT‑2030 includes “applicable AI‑related capabilities” such as distributed data processing, distributed learning, AI model execution and inference, and AI‑aware scheduling as native capabilities of the system. Computing and data services (not just connectivity) are treated as integral IMT‑2030 components, especially at the edge for low‑latency, energy‑efficient AI workloads.
System intelligence and new use cases:
AI is central to several new IMT‑2030 usage scenarios beyond classic eMBB/mMTC/URLLC, including Immersive Communication, Integrated Sensing and Communication, and Integrated AI and Communication. In integrated sensing, AI fuses multi‑dimensional radio sensing data (position, motion, environment, even human behavior) to provide contextual awareness for applications like smart cities, industrial control, and XR.
Embedding intelligence across air interface, edge, and cloud is seen as necessary to manage 6G complexity and enable “Intelligence of Everything,” including real‑time digital twins and AIGC‑driven services. The vision is for the 6G/IMT‑2030 network to act as a distributed neural system that tightly couples communication, sensing, and computing.
IMT 2030 Goals:
- To create self-healing, self-optimizing networks that can adapt to diverse demands.
- To enable new AI-driven applications, from intelligent digital twins to advanced immersive experiences.
- To build a truly intelligent communication fabric that supports a hyper-connected, AI-enhanced world.
Summary table: AI’s roles in IMT‑2030:
| Dimension | AI role in IMT‑2030 |
|---|---|
| Air interface | AI‑native PHY/MAC for channel estimation, decoding, beamforming, interference control. |
| RAN/core architecture | Native‑AI enabled, data‑driven, self‑optimizing/self‑healing network functions. |
| Compute and data services | Built‑in edge/cloud compute for AI training, inference, and data processing. |
| Usage scenarios | Dedicated “Integrated AI and Communication” plus AI‑rich sensing and immersive use cases. |
| Applications and ecosystems | Support for digital twins, automated driving, robotics, AIGC, and industrial automation. |
In summary, AI in IMT‑2030 is both an internal engine for network intelligence and an exported capability the network offers to verticals, making 6G effectively AI‑native end‑to‑end.
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References:
https://www.lightreading.com/ai-machine-learning/the-lessons-of-pluribus-for-telecom-s-genai-fans
https://www.ericsson.com/en/reports-and-papers/white-papers/ai-native
https://www.5gamericas.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ITUs-IMT-2030-Vision_Id.pdf
ITU-R WP 5D Timeline for submission, evaluation process & consensus building for IMT-2030 (6G) RITs/SRITs
ITU-R WP 5D reports on: IMT-2030 (“6G”) Minimum Technology Performance Requirements; Evaluation Criteria & Methodology
Ericsson and e& (UAE) sign MoU for 6G collaboration vs ITU-R IMT-2030 framework
Nokia and Rohde & Schwarz collaborate on AI-powered 6G receiver years before IMT 2030 RIT submissions to ITU-R WP5D
NTT DOCOMO successful outdoor trial of AI-driven wireless interface with 3 partners
Verizon’s 6G Innovation Forum joins a crowded list of 6G efforts that may conflict with 3GPP and ITU-R IMT-2030 work
ITU-R WP5D IMT 2030 Submission & Evaluation Guidelines vs 6G specs in 3GPP Release 20 & 21
Dell’Oro: Analysis of the Nokia-NVIDIA-partnership on AI RAN
Highlights of 3GPP Stage 1 Workshop on IMT 2030 (6G) Use Cases
Draft new ITU-R recommendation (not yet approved): M.[IMT.FRAMEWORK FOR 2030 AND BEYOND]
Deutsche Telekom: successful completion of the 6G-TakeOff project with “3D networks”
The 6G-TakeOff project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space was focused on development of a unified three dimensional (3D) network architecture for future 6G communications, which integrates terrestrial networks with non-terrestrial networks (NTN) like satellites and drones. Led by Deutsche Telekom, the three-year project focused on creating a dynamic, flexible, and intelligent network that could provide seamless connectivity by using AI to manage network resources and dynamically switch between different network types. The project has successfully concluded and its results were presented at a closing event at the University of Bremen.
Three-dimensional (3D) networks are where base stations on the ground are complemented by base stations aboard airborne platforms and satellites. Stations in the air offer the opportunity to provide additional network capacity temporarily and locally as needed. The project focused on the holistic view of a 3D network and the question of how the various subnetwork elements can be connected to each other (handover) in a unified 6G architecture. By combining and intelligently coordinating the various access technologies, optimal access to connectivity is thus enabled for every application. The results of the project are an important part of basic research for so-called non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and will be incorporated into the standardization of the future generation of mobile communications (by 3GPP and ITU-R).
From its inception, the 3D network consortium was designed to integrate perspectives and innovations from a wide range of research and industry fields. This enabled close collaboration between the aerospace sector and the communications and software industries as well as manufacturers, while facilitating the transfer from the academic environment to the industrial context. Led by Deutsche Telekom, the research consortium brought together a total of 19 partners:
- The manufacturers participating in the project included Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Creonic GmbH, DSI Aerospace GmbH, EANT GmbH, IMST GmbH, NXP® Semiconductors, OTARIS Interactive Services GmbH, Rohde & Schwarz, and Boldyn Networks.
- The user perspective was represented by John Deere GmbH & Co. KG and ZF Friedrichshafen AG.
- In addition to Deutsche Telekom, the network operator O2 Telefónica was also involved.
- The project team was completed by research institutes and universities: the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the Fraunhofer Institute FOKUS, the IHP Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics, the Technical University of Kaiserslautern, the University of Bremen, and the Center for Telematics Würzburg all contributed their expertise.
Successful completion after three years of 6G research in the project “6G-TakeOff” © Deutsche Telekom
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Key aspects of the project:
- Unified 3D Network: The project aimed to create a single network architecture that seamlessly combines ground-based base stations with airborne (like drones) and satellite-based stations.
- Dynamic Connectivity: The network was designed to dynamically adjust and manage connections, so it can provide temporary capacity where needed and automatically select the best access method for a user’s needs.
- AI-powered Management: Artificial intelligence (AI) was used to manage the network, helping to optimize connections, anticipate disruptions, and ensure the overall resilience of the system.
- Industry and Academic Collaboration: The project involved a large consortium of 19 partners, including universities, research institutes, and companies from the aerospace, telecommunications, and technology sectors.
- Contribution to 6G Standards: The research and results from 6G-TakeOff are intended to be incorporated into the ongoing standardization efforts for 6G technology, forming a strong foundation for future development.
- Focus Areas: Research included topics such as device handover, local deployment of edge compute, and the development of technologies to connect terrestrial and non-terrestrial components.
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Research results:
The consortium developed several demonstrators to test the feasibility of different solutions:
- Device handover in the 3D network: Arguably, handover is the most important element of a 3D network. The three-dimensional structure of the network was tested in a testbed at the University of Bremen. Using base stations on the ground, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in the air and satellite hardware on a 146-meter-high tower, the 3D network was simulated and the handover of a moving device between network components was studied. The testbed will remain in place even after the conclusion of the project.
- Local deployment of mobile edge computing (MEC) services: Edge computing makes it possible to process large amounts of data securely and on-site in near real-time. The project was able to successfully demonstrate that edge computing is also possible for non-terrestrial networks. In this way, appropriate networks can be set up temporarily and as needed.
- Feederlink technology for ground stations and UAVs: UAVs must be connected to the core network on the ground via so-called feederlinks. These links allow data to be transmitted at high rates between ground stations and UAVs. Beamforming antennas are required for this purpose. They direct radio waves in a targeted manner rather than spreading them broadly, thereby improving signal strength and range. In 6G-TakeOff, novel antenna designs were developed and tested. These are characterized by a particularly strong directional focus when transmitting and receiving radio waves, as well as a lightweight design. In addition, new methods for beam steering, meaning the precise alignment of ground station antennas with moving UAVs, were developed.
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The project’s three-year milestone exhibits a strong track record for the research initiative. Beyond the demonstrators, seven patent filings underscore the consortium’s innovation.
“The 6G-TakeOff project has helped us better understand the practical challenges of integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial components into a unified 3D communication framework. It offers valuable insights on how future 6G systems could improve service continuity, resilience and capacity wherever needed. The project has laid a strong foundation for further cross-industry cooperation towards 6G,” said Thomas Lips, SVP RAN Disaggregation & Enablement at Deutsche Telekom.
Commercial deployment of 6G is anticipated in the early 2030s, pending 3GPP specifications and ITU-R WP 5D evaluation completion of IMT 2030 RIT/SRITs based on minimum performance requirements. Please see references for more information about 6G initiatives and IMT 2030.
References:
https://www.telekom.com/en/media/media-information/archive/successful-completion-6g-takeoff-1099886
GSMA Vision 2040 study identifies spectrum needs during the peak 6G era of 2035–2040
Verizon’s 6G Innovation Forum joins a crowded list of 6G efforts that may conflict with 3GPP and ITU-R IMT-2030 work
Nokia and Rohde & Schwarz collaborate on AI-powered 6G receiver years before IMT 2030 RIT submissions to ITU-R WP5D
Highlights and Summary of the 2025 Brooklyn 6G Summit
Nokia Bell Labs and KDDI Research partner for 6G energy efficiency and network resiliency
ITU-R WP 5D reports on: IMT-2030 (“6G”) Minimum Technology Performance Requirements; Evaluation Criteria & Methodology
ITU-R: IMT-2030 (6G) Backgrounder and Envisioned Capabilities
Summary of ITU-R Workshop on “IMT for 2030 and beyond” (aka “6G”)
Ericsson and e& (UAE) sign MoU for 6G collaboration vs ITU-R IMT-2030 framework
Ericsson and IIT Kharagpur partner for joint research in AI and 6G
Ericsson’s India 6G Research Program at its Chennai R&D Center
ETSI Integrated Sensing and Communications ISG targets 6G
Enable-6G: Yet another 6G R&D effort spearheaded by Telefónica de España
China’s MIIT to prioritize 6G project, accelerate 5G and gigabit optical network deployments in 2023
6th Digital China Summit: China to expand its 5G network; 6G R&D via the IMT-2030 (6G) Promotion Group
Nokia to open 5G and 6G research lab in Amadora, Portugal
Nokia and Rohde & Schwarz collaborate on AI-powered 6G receiver years before IMT 2030 RIT submissions to ITU-R WP5D
Nokia and the test and measurement firm Rohde & Schwarz have created and successfully tested a “6G” radio receiver that uses AI technologies to overcome one of the biggest anticipated challenges of 6G network rollouts, coverage limitations inherent in 6G’s higher-frequency spectrum.
–>This is truly astonishing as ITU-R WP5D doesn’t even plan to evaluate 6G RIT/SRITs till February 2027 when the first submissions are invited to be presented.
Nokia Bell Labs developed the receiver and validated it using 6G test equipment and methodologies from Rohde & Schwarz. The two companies will unveil a proof-of-concept receiver at the Brooklyn 6G Summit on November 6, 2025. Nokia says, “the machine learning capabilities in the receiver greatly boost uplink distance, enhancing coverage for future 6G networks. This will help operators roll out 6G over their existing 5G footprints, reducing deployment costs and accelerating time to market.”
Image Credit: Rohde & Schwarz
Nokia Bell Labs and Rohde & Schwarz have tested this new AI receiver under real world conditions, achieving uplink distance improvements over today’s receiver technologies ranging from 10% to 25%. The testbed comprises an R&S SMW200A vector signal generator, used for uplink signal generation and channel emulation. On the receive side, the newly launched FSWX signal and spectrum analyzer from Rohde & Schwarz is employed to perform the AI inference for Nokia’s AI receiver. In addition to enhancing coverage, the AI technology also demonstrates improved throughput and power efficiency, multiplying the benefits it will provide in the 6G era.
“One of the key issues facing future 6G deployments is the coverage limitations inherent in 6G’s higher-frequency spectrum. Typically, we would need to build denser networks with more cell sites to overcome this problem. By boosting the coverage of 6G receivers, however, AI technology will help us build 6G infrastructure over current 5G footprints,” said Peter Vetter, President, Core Research, Bell Labs, Nokia.
“Rohde & Schwarz is excited to collaborate with Nokia in pioneering AI-driven 6G receiver technology. Leveraging more than 90 years of experience in test and measurement, we’re uniquely positioned to support the development of next-generation wireless, allowing us to evaluate and refine AI algorithms at this crucial pre-standardization stage. This partnership builds on our long history of innovation and demonstrates our commitment to shaping the future of 6G,” said Michael Fischlein, VP, Spectrum & Network Analyzers, EMC and Antenna Test, Rohde & Schwarz.
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Last month, Nokia teamed up with rival kit vendor Ericsson to work on video coding standardization in preparation for 6G. The project, which also involved Berlin’s Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI), demonstrated a new video codec which they claim has higher compression efficiency than the current standards (H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, and H.266/VVC) without significantly increasing complexity, and its wider aim is to strengthen Europe’s role in next generation standardization, we were told at the time.
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About Nokia:
At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.
As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.
With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future
About Rohde & Schwarz:
Rohde & Schwarz is striving for a safer and connected world with its Test & Measurement, Technology Systems and Networks & Cybersecurity Divisions. For over 90 years, the global technology group has pushed technical boundaries with developments in cutting-edge technologies. The company’s leading-edge products and solutions empower industrial, regulatory and government customers to attain technological and digital sovereignty. The privately owned, Munich-based company can act independently, long-term and sustainably. Rohde & Schwarz generated a net revenue of EUR 3.16 billion in the 2024/2025 fiscal year (July to June). On June 30, 2025, Rohde & Schwarz had more than 15,000 employees worldwide.
References:
ITU-R WP5D IMT 2030 Submission & Evaluation Guidelines vs 6G specs in 3GPP Release 20 & 21
ITU-R WP 5D reports on: IMT-2030 (“6G”) Minimum Technology Performance Requirements; Evaluation Criteria & Methodology
Market research firms Omdia and Dell’Oro: impact of 6G and AI investments on telcos
Nvidia pays $1 billion for a stake in Nokia to collaborate on AI networking solutions
Highlights of Nokia’s Smart Factory in Oulu, Finland for 5G and 6G innovation
Verizon’s 6G Innovation Forum joins a crowded list of 6G efforts that may conflict with 3GPP and ITU-R IMT-2030 work
Qualcomm CEO: expect “pre-commercial” 6G devices by 2028
NGMN: 6G Key Messages from a network operator point of view
ITU-R WP 5D Timeline for submission, evaluation process & consensus building for IMT-2030 (6G) RITs/SRITs
The ITU-R WP 5D schedule described below applies to the first invitation for IMT 2030 candidate RITs [1] or SRITs [2]
[1] RIT =Radio Interface Technology [2] SRITs =Set of RITs. That terminology was used for IMT 2020 and the IMT 2150 recommendation
Submission of proposals may begin at 54th meeting of Working Party (WP) 5D, currently planned for February 2027. The final deadline for submissions is 1600 hours UTC, 12 calendar days prior to the start of the 59th meeting of WP 5D in February 2029.
The evaluation of the proposed RITs/SRITs by the independent evaluation groups and the consensus-building process will be performed throughout this time period and thereafter. Subsequent calendar schedules will be decided according to the submissions of proposals.
References:
https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/oth/0a/06/R0A060000C80001PDFE.pdf
https://www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-M.2150/en
ITU-R WP5D IMT 2030 Submission & Evaluation Guidelines vs 6G specs in 3GPP Release 20 & 21
Highlights of 3GPP Stage 1 Workshop on IMT 2030 (6G) Use Cases
ITU-R WP 5D reports on: IMT-2030 (“6G”) Minimum Technology Performance Requirements; Evaluation Criteria & Methodology
ITU-R: IMT-2030 (6G) Backgrounder and Envisioned Capabilities
Verizon’s 6G Innovation Forum joins a crowded list of 6G efforts that may conflict with 3GPP and ITU-R IMT-2030 work
Ericsson and e& (UAE) sign MoU for 6G collaboration vs ITU-R IMT-2030 framework
ITU-R WP5D invites IMT-2030 RIT/SRIT contributions
NGMN issues ITU-R framework for IMT-2030 vs ITU-R WP5D Timeline for RIT/SRIT Standardization
IMT-2030 Technical Performance Requirements (TPR) from ITU-R WP5D
Should Peak Data Rates be specified for 5G (IMT 2020) and 6G (IMT 2030) networks?
