Rel-20 (6G studies); Rel-21 planned as first 6G specs · IMT-2030 (research targets)
6G
IMT-2030 (Research Phase)
Researching networks that connect communication with sensing.
6G is not a shipping product or a completed standard. This profile presents selected research directions associated with IMT-2030, including higher performance targets, AI-assisted network operation, integrated sensing and communication, and possible non-terrestrial network integration. The figures below are illustrative research targets and estimates; they should not be read as agreed specifications, deployment forecasts, or guaranteed user experiences.
Key Metrics
Peak values represent ideal or standards-level capabilities; realistic values are indicative examples, not guaranteed speeds. Results vary by deployment, spectrum, coverage, device, and network load. 6G figures are research targets or estimates because no 6G standard or commercial network exists yet. See the official 3GPP and ITU-R IMT materials for standards context.
Key Innovations
The main candidate for new 6G capacity is the upper mid-band (roughly 7–15 GHz), under study for WRC-27, which balances bandwidth with wide-area coverage. Some research also explores sub-THz bands for very wide channels, though these face severe propagation constraints. A 6G spectrum plan has not been standardised.
Research explores using machine learning for tasks such as channel estimation, beam management, and network optimisation. The role of AI in future radio standards remains under study.
ISAC research investigates whether communication signals can also support sensing functions such as positioning or environmental awareness. Performance, privacy, and deployment limits remain open questions.
Some 6G research explores sub-millisecond radio-interface targets. End-to-end latency and reliability depend on the full system and application; these targets do not guarantee suitability for safety-critical or medical use.
Researchers study future immersive media that could need much higher data rates and lower latency. Holographic communication remains a concept with unresolved requirements and no 6G service guarantee.
Studies explore closer integration of satellite, high-altitude platform, and terrestrial networks. Such integration could extend connectivity, but coverage depends on system design, capacity, spectrum, regulation, and economics.
Use Case Support
Legacy messaging would depend on operator services and interworking; 6G support has not been specified.
The illustrative throughput estimate would support demanding web use, but 6G user performance is not yet known.
HD streaming is already possible on current networks; 6G offers no established user-level advantage for this use case.
The illustrative throughput estimate exceeds typical 4K streaming needs, but real 6G performance is not known.
Research targets could benefit cloud gaming, but latency and availability depend on the full network and service path.
Some research explores higher device-density targets. The 6G target and how it compares with 5G remain subject to standardisation.
Future immersive applications are a research motivation; their requirements and achievable experience will depend on networks, devices, and application design.
Low-latency, high-reliability communications are being studied for robotics. A research target alone does not establish safety or clinical suitability.
Architecture
6G - AI-Native Distributed Architecture (Conceptual)
6G architecture is not yet standardised. This conceptual diagram combines ideas from current research proposals: a distributed, AI-native, cloud-native design that could integrate sensing, non-terrestrial layers, and network digital twins.
See the full diagram catalogue on the Architecture page.