Giga-MIMO and SBFD for 6G upper-midband networks
Research has shown that Giga‑MIMO and subband full duplex (SBFD) have increased uplink capacity, reduced latency and enabled upper‑midband FR3 deployments, supporting higher throughput, sensing and pragmatic co‑location strategies for scalable 6G rollouts.
Digital twins for 6G network optimisation
Industry participants have identified three roles that digital twins have played in enhancing 6G: they have enabled risk-free what-if simulations, supplied context-rich data for AI training, and improved power optimisation to reduce energy consumption and emissions.
RAN market stabilises ahead of 6G investments
Dell'Oro Group has reported the RAN market has stabilised after a near $10 billion revenue decline, and revenues have been forecast to grow at a 1% CAGR while RAN has been expected to account for 20-25% of wireless capex.
Samsung reports commercial vRAN call on US operator network
Samsung said it completed a commercial vRAN call on a Tier 1 US operator’s live network, demonstrating single‑server consolidation of RAN and network functions for efficiency and AI readiness.
2026 outlook: 6G development and AI infrastructure
Forecasts indicate 2026 will see 6G studies continue, flat telecom economics, AI inference cost reductions constrained by energy and construction, and centralised inference dominance.
FR3 role in 5G-Advanced Release 18
FR3, spanning 7.125–24.25 GHz, is included in Release 18 to extend mid-band capacity; deployment will depend on macro co-location, cell planning and realistic indoor performance expectations.
6G development priorities and expectations for 2026
Predictions indicate 2026 will prioritise AI‑native architecture, integrated sensing, FR3 deployments, NTN–TN continuity and energy‑aware operation, with operator and vendor trials translating research into practical testbeds.
IEEE survey finds limited near-term AI impact from 6G
IEEE survey finds 7% view 6G as a primary AI opportunity, suggesting continued focus on 5G. Experts say 6G may prioritise uplink capacity and AI resource allocation.
Keysight and KT SAT demonstrate GEO-to-LEO handover
Keysight and KT SAT completed a laboratory proof‑of‑concept for an NR‑NTN handover from a GEO satellite to an emulated LEO link using Ku‑band and network emulation tools.
Samsung and KT validate AI-driven RAN optimisation
Samsung and KT validated AI-driven radio access network optimisation on a commercial network, reducing user connection failures in a trial of about 18,000 subscribers and informing 6G preparation.
OBBB Act sets spectrum deadlines for US 6G readiness
The article states the OBBB Act mandates identifying and auctioning mobile spectrum by 2034; it says at least 600 MHz should be ready for full-power 6G deployments by 2029.
NATWORK 6G cybersecurity and resilience framework project
NATWORK develops an AI-driven, energy-efficient 6G cybersecurity and resilience framework; consortium-led pilots, testbeds and standards engagement support evaluation and potential commercial exploitation.
Monetising 5G Standalone Before 6G Rollout
CSPs should shift from selling speed to service-based monetisation of 5G SA, using network slicing, API exposure and end-to-end observability to establish sustainable revenue before considering 6G.
Global Coordination for 6G Standards and Industry Alignment
Operators and vendors urge global harmonisation of 6G standards to ensure efficient migration from 5G, address AI and security challenges, and prioritise sustainability, interoperability and economic viability.
Samsung and SK Telecom sign AI-RAN 6G collaboration
Samsung and SK Telecom will co-develop AI-RAN technologies for 6G, combining Samsung model development with SKT operational data and nationwide testing to validate channel estimation, distributed MIMO and schedulers.
UK digital infrastructure: gaps and future connectivity
Assessment identifies UK telecoms infrastructure gaps in deployment, coverage, skills and investment; recommends accelerating 5G standalone rollout, preparing for 6G, and improving skills and stakeholder co-ordination.
SoftBank trial shows 7GHz viable for urban 6G coverage
SoftBank and Nokia field tests in Tokyo indicate 7GHz spectrum can provide wide-area urban coverage and stable connectivity for 6G macro deployments, with performance comparable to 3.9GHz in open areas.
Europe's 6G Strategy for Ethical and Inclusive Networks
EU-funded 6G4Society coordinates researchers, industry and civil society to prioritise sustainability, ethics and inclusivity in 6G development, informing policy and industry decisions ahead of anticipated 2030 deployment.
Technology standards for wireless, AI and devices
Global technology standards underpin interoperability, reduce development costs and accelerate deployment across cellular, Wi‑Fi, codecs and memory, supporting scalable, secure and efficient device ecosystems.
Key Telecom Trends for 2026: AI, MVNOs, 6G and Satellites
Juniper Research forecasts telecom evolution in 2026 focusing on AI-driven customer service, MVNO and eSIM convergence, sector expansion, terahertz 6G research, and multi-orbit satellite networks.
Nokia and SoftBank Advance 4G, 5G Networks and 6G Research
Nokia and SoftBank have agreed to modernise SoftBank’s 4G and 5G networks in Western Japan and continue joint research into AI-RAN and 6G technologies.
6G Capital Expenditure to Increase from 2030, Dell’Oro Reports
Dell’Oro forecasts flat RAN market growth through 2035, with 6G deployments comprising 55–60% of RAN investments between 2029 and 2034, driven by Massive MIMO technology.
6G4Society Advances Sustainable and Ethical 6G Connectivity
The 6G4Society project integrates societal, environmental, and economic values into 6G development, promoting sustainability, inclusivity, and public trust within European policy and innovation frameworks.
Samsung and SoftBank Collaborate on AI-RAN and 6G Development
Samsung and SoftBank have signed an MoU to jointly develop AI-driven Radio Access Network technologies and 6G communications, combining research and network expertise for future telecom advancements.
Nvidia Highlights Rapid AI Integration in Telecom Networks
Nvidia outlines accelerated AI adoption in telecom, emphasising software-defined infrastructure and AI-native architectures as pivotal to future network transformation and 6G deployment.
SEASON Project Demonstrates Energy-Efficient AR/VR Network Trial
The SEASON project conducted Europe's first field trial integrating multicore fibres, PONs, O-RAN, and edge computing to deliver immersive AR/VR services with up to 11% energy savings.
Vietnam Allocates Spectrum for 6G and Wi-Fi 7 Technologies
Vietnam’s new radio frequency plan opens key mid- and low-band spectrum for 5G, 6G, Wi-Fi 7, and satellite services, aligning with global standards to support next-generation technology deployment.
Nokia Licenses Juniper's RIC Technology to Enhance 5G and 6G AI
Nokia has licensed Juniper's RAN Intelligent Controller technology and absorbed its 45-person team to enhance its AI-driven MantaRay platform, supporting multi-vendor 5G and preparing for 6G networks.
Finland Advances 6G Research at University of Oulu
Finland’s 6G Flagship leads academia-industry collaboration in wireless communication, focusing on resilience, distributed intelligence, and real-world testing through the 6G Test Centre in Oulu.
Germany's 6G NeXt Project Concludes After Three Years
The 6G NeXt project, funded by the German government and led by Deutsche Telekom, completed three years of research on modular, scalable 6G network infrastructure and applications.
Qualcomm Projects Pre-Commercial 6G Devices by 2028
Qualcomm CEO announced plans for pre-commercial 6G devices by 2028, emphasising 6G's role in enhancing AI-driven connectivity and the edge-cloud continuum in future networks.
Verizon Launches 6G Innovation Forum with Industry Partners
Verizon announced its 6G Innovation Forum with key industry collaborators, focusing on use cases, spectrum challenges, and technology development to advance 6G standards and deployment.
Strategic Developments Shaping the 6G Ecosystem
6G evolution focuses on software-driven capabilities, spectrum management, trust monetisation, private networks, and network convergence to meet economic and operational demands.
6G Development Prioritises Economic Viability Over Novelty
6G evolution focuses on software upgrades, operational efficiency, and enterprise services, emphasising cost reduction and pragmatic spectrum use over speculative consumer technologies.
6G Lacks Defined Economic Model Amid Industry Uncertainty
The telecom sector faces challenges with 6G due to unclear business models, saturated markets, and high capital costs, contrasting with previous generations that aligned technology with economic growth.
Europe Advances Towards 6G-Enabled Digital Infrastructure
Europe is progressing in 6G research to support future digital infrastructure, focusing on sustainability, connectivity, and security to meet demands by the 2030s.
Nokia Opens New Oulu Campus for 5G and 6G Network Development
Nokia has inaugurated a 55,000 sqm campus in Oulu, Finland, dedicated to the design, manufacturing, and testing of 5G and 6G networks, integrating Industry 4.0 technologies and sustainability initiatives.
Qualcomm Advances 6G for Scalable User Experiences
Qualcomm outlines its 6G development focusing on AI integration, enhanced connectivity, and network efficiency to enable advanced user experiences and services at scale by 2030.
PROTEUS-6G Advances Optical Networks for Future Connectivity
PROTEUS-6G introduces innovations in optical network architecture, energy-efficient transmission, and unified AI control to enhance speed, flexibility, and efficiency for future 6G mobile networks.
EU Strategies to Enhance Digital Connectivity and 6G Development
The EU aims to expand 5G coverage, invest in 6G research, and harmonise telecom regulations to strengthen digital infrastructure and support future technologies like AI.
6G Deployment: Balancing Evolution and Innovation Challenges
Industry experts discuss 6G's 2030 deployment, addressing spectrum allocation, financial constraints, standards evolution, and infrastructure reuse against the backdrop of 5G advancement lessons.
ATIS and Linux Foundation Collaborate on 5G and 6G Networks
ATIS and the Linux Foundation have formalised cooperation to advance open, intelligent and sustainable architectures for 5G and 6G network technologies.
Advancements in 5G CBRS Spectrum Sharing and Uplink Coverage
Emerging 5G-Advanced and 6G standards enhance the Citizen Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum sharing and uplink performance, supporting growth in fixed wireless access markets through improved interference management and coverage.
Photonics Chips and 6G to Enhance Connected Vehicle Technology
Photonics chips and 6G technology may enable ultra-low latency and real-time vehicle communication, supporting advancements in autonomous driving and in-vehicle networking.
MediaTek Advances Connectivity Towards 6G Integration
MediaTek is developing AI-driven 5G enhancements and non-terrestrial network integration, contributing to the foundation of 6G connectivity expected by 2030.
6G Networks Designed for AI Agents in Real-Time Ecosystems
6G networks will prioritise AI agents as primary customers, enabling dynamic negotiation and real-time resource allocation, requiring operators to redesign infrastructure for automated machine interactions and sustainability.
6G Advancements and Impact on Connected Vehicle Technology
6G technology, expected by 2030, promises enhanced speed, ultra-low latency, AI integration, and global coverage, significantly benefiting connected vehicles and autonomous driving systems.
