The NGMN have published a new guide “Network Architecture Evolution towards 6G”, a follow-up to their “6G Position Statement – An Operator View”, from 2023.

The new paper identifies 5G gaps and limitations as well as emerging requirements (AI-native design, Autonomous networks, etc) as major drivers for 6G. It sounds a note for cautious progress, suggesting that there must be “…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 said that their study into 6G evolution carried a clear message from operators that network complexity, challenges in integrating with legacy systems and energy efficiency are all key concerns with 5G networks, concerns to be avoided in 6G if possible.

NGMN identified thirteen clear areas for network architecture evolution and the principles of air interface improvements – including increased spectrum efficiency, Integrated Sensing and Communication and dense low-cost device connectivity. The paper promotes the vision of a 5G to 6G migration strategy that will ensure seamless coexistence with existing networks, while still exploring exciting 6G capabilities.

The NGMN publication “Network Architecture Evolution towards 6G” can be downloaded from here.

Further information and all NGMN publications can be found on the website at ngmn.org.

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