6G Development Progress

Introduction

The sixth generation of wireless communication technology (6G) is expected to emerge in the early 2030s. As the next-generation technology evolves, researchers and industry leaders are developing the various technologies that will define the future of wireless communication [1].

Social Impact and Core Development Priorities

The development of 6G is driven by four fundamental societal needs. First, scalability primarily addresses the exponential growth of data volume and connected devices, requiring networks to handle immense demands. Second, sustainability focuses on the energy efficiency of devices and network operations. Third, reliability emphasizes built-in security methodologies and enhanced protective measures. Finally, digital inclusion aims to connect the approximately 40% of the global population that remains unconnected.

Figure 1: A comprehensive classification of 6G technology focus areas, organized by protocol layer, technology maturity, and target deployment environments.

Wireless Access Technologies

The evolution of wireless access technologies is at the core of 6G development. Multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems continue to advance, with the industry moving toward ultra massive MIMO deployments featuring thousands of antenna elements. These developments enhance network spectral efficiency through sophisticated precoding techniques.

The introduction of the sub-terahertz (sub-THz) spectrum represents another breakthrough. Operating in the 100–300 GHz range, these frequencies offer high bandwidth and enable data transmission rates exceeding 100 Gbps.

Figure 2: The sub-THz technology cluster showcasing access, backhaul, and sensing functionalities, along with their mapping to key 6G use cases and industry sectors.

Network Architecture and Infrastructure

6G networks will adopt new deployment paradigms, including non-terrestrial networks (NTN) operating at various altitudes, such as satellites and drones. This approach is particularly suited to addressing digital inclusion challenges in remote and maritime areas. The integration of low earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations provides lower latency and reduced deployment costs compared to traditional satellite systems.

Figure 3: A schematic representation of wireless backhaul as a coverage enhancer and service enabler, and its role as a bandwidth-efficient capacity booster in macrocell deployments.

The evolution of backhaul systems is another critical development area. As higher frequencies and increased user density lead to greater cell density, traditional fiber-based backhaul becomes less cost-effective. Integrated access and backhaul (IAB) solutions provide an effective alternative, allowing spectrum sharing between access and backhaul services.

Computing and Communication Integration

The convergence of computing and communication represents a fundamental shift in 6G architecture. Open interfaces play a crucial role in this transformation by enabling multi-vendor participation and facilitating standardized interoperability between components.

Figure 4: A detailed representation of open interfaces in 5G radio access network (RAN), highlighting areas that require reconsideration for 6G implementation.

Edge computing and fog computing are key components of the 6G ecosystem, addressing the fundamental scalability challenges of managing exponentially growing edge devices and data-intensive applications. These approaches leverage the increasing processing power of edge devices to perform computation services closer to the data source.

Figure 5: The fog computing architecture, illustrating the orchestration of computing resources across the cloud-to-IoT continuum to enable scalable 6G services.

Network Virtualization and Shared Infrastructure

The future of 6G relies heavily on network virtualization and shared infrastructure concepts. End-to-end virtualization supports multi-tenant and multi-operator environments, building upon the disaggregated RAN concepts introduced in 5G.

Figure 6: Demonstrates how operators can utilize shared network infrastructure to execute network functions as highly disaggregated and distributed microservices.

Spectrum sharing is another key aspect of 6G deployment. This technology evolves from static and semi-dynamic approaches to more sophisticated dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) mechanisms. These advanced sharing techniques cover multiple dimensions, including location, frequency, time, users, and applications, requiring new levels of reliability and coordination.

Regulatory and Standardization Progress

The standardization process for 6G involves multiple global stakeholders and regional organizations. The international telecommunication union radiocommunication sector (ITU-R) is defining IMT-2030 requirements, with specifications expected to be finalized around 2030. 3GPP's work on 6G starts from release 20, including preliminary study projects, with the first complete 6G specification anticipated in release 21.

Spectrum allocation is a major regulatory challenge. 6G frequencies span multiple ranges, from sub-GHz bands to sub-THz frequencies. The success of mid-band spectrum deployments in 5G suggests that exploring upper mid-band spectrum (7–16 GHz) for new 6G deployments holds significant potential advantages.

The development of open interfaces through organizations such as the O-RAN alliance continues to drive hardware-software integration innovations. This collaboration, combined with government partnerships, plays a fundamental role in addressing global digital inclusion challenges and ensuring 6G infrastructure supply chain resilience.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

6G represents a major leap in wireless communication technology, incorporating innovative across all layers of the network protocol stack. These advancements aim to address four key societal focus areas: scalability to manage the exponential growth of data and devices, sustainability to ensure energy-efficient operations, reliability to provide built-in security, and digital inclusion to connect underserved global populations.

The technologies discussed in this document—from advanced wireless access methods and sub-THz communication to integrated computing paradigms and shared infrastructure approaches—are expected to materialize at different stages of the 2030s. Early features such as enhanced MIMO systems and heterogeneous latency support are likely to emerge in the early 2030s, while more complex innovations like full sub-THz integration and comprehensive shared infrastructure solutions may arrive in the late 2030s.

The successful deployment of 6G requires close collaboration among device manufacturers, network operators, computing platform providers, and regulatory bodies. The standardization process led by ITU-R and 3GPP will play a crucial role in ensuring interoperability and global adoption. Additionally, continued research in AI/ML integration, post-quantum security, and energy efficiency will further drive 6G technological advancements.

References

[1] C. G. Brinton et al., "Key Focus Areas and Enabling Technologies for 6G," arXiv:2412.07029v3 [cs.NI], Dec. 2024.