The Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGMN) highlights the need for global collaboration to strengthen digital infrastructure and advance toward a 6G world.
While 5G’s potential is still unfolding, discussions around 6G are gaining momentum. Positioned as the next evolution of communications networks for the 2030s, 3GPP—the global standards body—has been actively shaping this future through its standardisation work. Release 20 marks a key milestone, finalising 5G-Advanced enhancements and laying technical foundations for 6G.
With Stage 1 of Release 20, defining early 6G service requirements, completed in 2025, the mobile industry now moves toward Stage 2, focused on 6G architecture studies in 2026. This is a pivotal moment for defining next-generation mobile communications.
Delivering value beyond 5G
The industry is now focused on delivering user value beyond what 5G can provide. Priorities include network simplification, sustainability, and a smooth transition to 6G. Emerging challenges such as AI, quantum safety, and resilience are key topics in 6G standardisation.
Key players—including mobile network operators (MNOs), vendors, and academia—must align globally to establish a unified path forward. Leading operators stress that 6G evolution must benefit end users, operators, and the ecosystem.
6G will build on 5G capabilities and lessons learned. Migration from 5G should minimise complexity, allowing fast deployments and seamless user experiences. Voice and enriched services should evolve sustainably while providing new value without forcing hardware upgrades.
New radio equipment is needed for new frequency bands, but software upgrades can drive 6G evolution on existing bands. Enhancements must deliver clear benefits over 5G-Advanced to justify investments.
Key drivers for 6G evolution
Technological evolution must balance benefits against impact. The mobile industry must improve operational efficiency, simplify networks, and enable network exposure to develop market-ready services. Modularity, flexibility, and openness are essential drivers.
Solutions should demonstrate clear customer value and ROI. Efficiency gains should focus on spectrum use and energy consumption.
Requirements for future networks
Future networks must be environmentally friendly, economically sustainable, trustworthy, and capable of supporting innovative services. Sustainability efforts should minimise environmental impact, secure economic viability, and ensure social responsibility.
Trustworthiness is vital. Security and privacy must be embedded in 6G architecture. Networks should adopt quantum-safe approaches and zero-trust models to enhance resilience.
Innovative services must show practical advantages over existing 5G networks while considering deployment feasibility. Backward compatibility, AI integration, sensing, compute needs, costs, and environmental impact are all key factors.
The AI surge
AI will reshape society beyond 6G. Networks must support both ‘Networks for AI’—optimising network operations with AI—and ‘AI for Networks’—designing networks that support AI workloads.
Analyzing AI’s implications is critical to ensure 6G aligns with future technological trajectories. Simplification must remain a core design principle, avoiding the architectural complexity that slowed 5G adoption.
The importance of global alignment
Communication networks must meet societal goals while remaining sustainable, trustworthy, and innovative. To achieve this, 6G standards must be globally harmonised.
NGMN plays a key role in aligning the mobile industry. As a global, operator-led organisation, it provides guidance, facilitates collaboration, and drives unity toward innovative, sustainable, and affordable next-generation networks.
NGMN helps engage the broader industry and sets strategic direction by articulating MNO requirements early in the standardisation process.
This article references the NGMN publication 6G Key Messages – An Operator View developed by the NGMN Alliance Board.
