Roadmap & Standardization
6G is being framed by the ITU’s IMT-2030 vision and is moving through 3GPP’s staged process, which may take several years. Initial study items are expected to be in Release 20, with formal specification work likely ramping in Release 21. Industry timelines suggest the first 6G specs could plausibly arrive near the end of the decade, but dates may shift as requirements mature. Compared with 5G, this cycle is positioned to bake in sensing, sustainability, and tighter AI integration from the outset.
IMT-2030 sets the vision while 3GPP Rel-20/21 begin the technical path, aiming for initial specs around 2028–2029 and deployments closer to 2030.
New Spectrum & Potential Throughput
Where 5G emphasized mid-band and mmWave, 6G will likely expand into “upper mid-band” (roughly 7–24 GHz) for wide-area capacity, complemented by select sub-THz bands. Regulators are studying additional spectrum ahead of WRC-27, and early materials point to larger contiguous bandwidths to unlock higher peak and user-experienced rates. Practical deployments will probably balance coverage and device power limits, so not all ultra-high bands will see broad use. Expect region-by-region variation as national regulators harmonize bands and availability.
6G will probably blend 7–24 GHz for capacity with targeted >100 GHz use, pending studies and decisions expected around WRC-27.
AI-Native, Sensing & Smart Surfaces
A notable shift versus 5G is that 6G is expected to be AI-native, using learning for planning, optimization, and possibly on-device inference at the edge. Networks are also being explored for joint communication-and-sensing, enabling fine-grained localization and environmental awareness that 5G only began to touch. Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces are being studied to “shape” radio propagation, although practical control and standardization are still evolving. These ideas are early but suggest 6G could feel more adaptive, context-aware, and precise.
6G research foregrounds AI-native control, integrated sensing/positioning, and RIS to enhance reliability and precision.
Satellites & Sky-Cells Integrated
Where 5G added early non-terrestrial networking, 6G is expected to integrate satellites, HAPS, and UAV “cells” more seamlessly with ground networks. This could extend coverage to remote areas, bolster disaster resilience, and enable global IoT and mobility services. Researchers also emphasize energy efficiency in these platforms, which is likely to be a design priority for 6G systems. The end result may be more uniform experiences across land, sea, and air, though economics and spectrum rules will shape what’s feasible.
6G will likely deepen NTN-terrestrial integration to widen coverage and resilience, with efficiency as a key design goal
Why this matters
Understanding how 6G may differ helps teams time investments, pilot relevant use cases, and track the right milestones. Product leaders can explore features that benefit from precise positioning, integrated sensing, or broader coverage footprints. Network planners can assess spectrum options, power budgets, and edge AI needs before standards lock in. Policymakers and investors can use these signals to prioritize trials, skills, and partnerships aligned with realistic timelines.
Start aligning roadmaps - 5G-Advanced, edge, automation, and sustainability - so they transition smoothly into 6G’s AI-native, sensing-aware era.
Helpful Links
ITU IMT-2030 overview: https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/study-groups/rsg5/rwp5d/imt-2030/pages/default.aspx
3GPP Release 20 (6G studies): https://www.3gpp.org/specifications-technologies/releases/release-20
Ericsson on 6G standardization timeline: https://www.ericsson.com/en/blog/2025/6/blog-6g-standardization-technology-step-to-publish
Qualcomm 6G technology & spectrum needs (PDF): https://www.qualcomm.com/content/dam/qcomm-martech/dm-assets/documents/6G-Technology-and-Spectrum-Needs.pdf