6G
Providing guidance and key requirements for 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.”
Johann Reindl
Senior Programme Manager (external), NGMN
johann.reindl@external.ngmn.org
6G Guidance & Requirements
NGMN’S MAIN FOCUS IN 2026
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
-
Quan Zhao
China Mobile -
David Lister
Vodafone
Programme Manager
-
Johann Reindl
NGMN Alliance - If you would like to contribute or participate, please reach out to Johann
Objectives
Deliver impactful 6G insights and guidance from an operator’s perspective to provide timely guidance to the industry. Play a key role in preventing the fragmentation of global 6G standards and the broader ecosystem, enabling 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 organisations. Identify and analyse relevant standards development organisations (SDOs) and industry bodies to maximise the impact of NGMN.
„As 6G standardisation enters a critical phase, the rapid growth of AI and AI agents presents both opportunities and challenges for mobile network operators.“
Laurent Leboucher
Orange Group CTO and EVP Networks,
Chairman of the NGMN Alliance Board
6G ARCHITECTURE/MIGRATION OPTIONS
Project Leads
-
Quan Zhao
China Mobile -
David Lister
Vodafone
Programme Manager
-
Johann Reindl
NGMN Alliance - If you would like to contribute or participate, please reach out to Johann
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
NGMN’s Path from 4G to 6G
Publications
AI Surge and its Implications for 6G
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
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.
Network Architecture Evolution towards 6G
Consensus, time and a focus on continuous improvement will be key elements for guiding the evolution of mobile networks towards 6G and beyond, building on the solid foundation of 5G. The Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGMN) revealed this today while publishing a proposed framework to guide the evolution of network architecture towards 6G.
The “Network Architecture Evolution towards 6G” publication builds on NGMN’s “6G Position Statement – An Operator View”, published in 2023. It advises that the future 6G network architecture should address 5G gaps, support new scenarios and requirements, adapt to RAN changes, and embrace emerging technology trends. NGMN emphasises the importance of allocating sufficient time in the standardisation process to ensure industry-wide collaboration, enabling a smooth and continuous evolution of mobile networks towards 6G and beyond.
NGMN Radio Performance Assesment Framework
Events
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