6G

Providing guidance and requirements related to design considerations and network architecture evolution

“NGMN’s 6G programme is shaping the foundation for the next generation of mobile networks by aligning industry requirements, technology priorities and sustainability objectives. By bringing together operators and the global ecosystem, we ensure that 6G evolves in a way that delivers real value, resilience and long-term societal benefit.”

Sparsh Singhal

Senior Programme Manager, NGMN
sparsh.singhal@ngmn.org

6G Guidance & Requirements

NGMN’S MAIN FOCUS IN 2025/26

Providing guidance and key requirements for design considerations and network architecture evolution

Operator-driven 6G requirements and alignment
Dialogue of MNOs, vendors and academic membership
Addressing industry challenges
Fostering consensus and forward-looking view
Defining clear guidance and requirements for 6G standardisation in 3GPP

This collaborative approach aims to streamline networks, improve efficiency and deliver clear customer value.

Programme Leads

Objectives

Deliver impactful 6G insights and guidance from an operator’s perspective to provide timely support to the industry. Play a key role in preventing the fragmentation of global 6G standards and the broader ecosystem, ensuring affordable and consistent deployments. Identify a set of high-level business drivers, including aspects of social responsibility and mobile network operator (MNO) operational needs.

Develop requirements with a strong focus on customer-centricity. Engage with various stakeholders, monitor external 6G developments, and facilitate timely bilateral exchanges with relevant external organizations. Identify and analyze relevant standards development organizations (SDOs) and industry bodies to maximize the impact of NGMN.

NGMN Work Programme

NGMN’s 6G vision focuses on creating intelligent, sustainable, and user-centric networks that go beyond speed to deliver societal impact, operational efficiency, and future-ready innovation.

AI SURGE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON 6G

Project Leads

Objectives

Identify and validate AI-driven societal and business requirements that could justify network architecture evolution, intending AI-enabled infrastructure delivers greater accessibility, performance, and value for end customer.
Emphasise network simplification, energy efficiency, and total cost of ownership (TCO) reduction as core evaluation criteria.
Explore the integration of computing capabilities in the network to enable AI-based services to UEs, in addition to support AI-based network functions.

6G ARCHITECTURE/MIGRATION OPTIONS

Project Leads

Objectives

Study and narrow down 6G architecture options to simplify networks and reduce complexity.
Prioritise migration strategies (e.g., Multi-RAT Spectrum Sharing (MRSS), Dual Connectivity, Dual stack) by analysing current networks and future deployment needs—balancing time-to-market, cost, and operational efficiency for 6G adoption.

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of Mobile Networks — Together

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6G Videos

6G with no Hardware changes

Significance of the 6G Postiiton Statement

Impact of the 6G Position Statement

NGMN’s Path from 4G to 6G

Publications

AI Surge and its Implications for 6G

February 2026

The publication outlines the NGMN perspective on how AI-related requirements should be addressed in the evolution towards 6G. It consolidates mobile network operators’ views on how AI may impact 6G standardisation and provides guidance to support ongoing 6G studies within 3GPP. It examines three key dimensions: the impact of AI-driven traffic on networks, the network capabilities required to support AI-based services, and the role of AI as an enabler for future network architecture evolution.

6G Key Messages - an Operator view 

June 2025

A harmonised global 6G standard is essential to ensure a smooth industry evolution, address societal needs, and support a healthy ecosystem. The rollout of 6G should avoid mandatory hardware replacement, instead focusing on software upgrades within existing frequency bands. New hardware should only be introduced where new frequencies make it necessary. Any new technologies must demonstrate clear benefits within a techno-economic framework, with a strong emphasis on spectrum and energy efficiency.

NGMN Radio Performance Assesment Framework

December 2024

Radio metrics such as spectral efficiency, TRS, TRP, and energy consumption should align with the ITU-R IMT-2020 specifications within the 3GPP standards. New RAN solutions must demonstrate clear performance improvements over the benchmarks set in 3GPP Release 18. This framework builds on lessons learned from the 5G Standalone rollout to ensure that assessments are both practical and well-informed.

6G Position Statement - An Operator View

September 2023

6G represents the graceful evolution of communication networks, building upon and going beyond the existing 5G ecosystem. Its rollout should avoid mandatory hardware replacement, instead prioritising software upgrades within existing frequency bands. New hardware should only be introduced when required for new frequency ranges. Key operational priorities include simplifying network architecture, reducing energy consumption, enabling automated and proactive operations, and ensuring a quantum-safe infrastructure.

6G Drivers and Vision

April 2021

NGMN’s perspective on 6G is shaped by three core drivers: generating societal and environmental benefits, enabling expanded and differentiated services with innovative user experiences, and meeting operational needs to create and deliver greater value.

Events

NGMN Press & Industry Briefing
03 March 2026

THE GREAT TELCO DEBATE 2025
04 December 2025

UNWRAPPED: THE 5G EVOLUTION
11-13 November 2025

6G IN THE HOT SEAT
04 November 2025

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