6G: Pioneering a new era of innovation and business value

6G is emerging as a game-changing innovation that goes beyond incremental upgrades. Unlike previous generational shifts, 6G is not simply an extension of 5G. Indeed, it represents a complete re-imagination of the wireless industry, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and other disruptive technologies. 

Dr. Wen Tong, CTO of Huawei Wireless, emphasizes this point, saying: "6G will not be a simple upgrade of 5G; it should integrate the most up-to-date AI revolution to reshape the wireless industry and take it to the next height."

Providing a specific example of how the technologies can complement one another, Dr. Tong explained the concept of ‘A-Core’, a core network for 6G built atop agentic AI technology. This could empower telecom operators with tailored development opportunities, as well as new routes for profit.

Analysts predict that 6G will have a significant impact on the global economy, with the potential to generate trillions of dollars in economic value. For instance, a recent report by MarketsandMarkets estimates that the global 6G market could be worth over $68.7 billion by 2035, driven by increased demand for ultra-reliable and low-latency communications. 

The adoption of 6G will drive new business models, create opportunities for operators, and provide enhanced services to consumers. Dr. Tong explained that when combined with AI, which he said could play a role in 90% of all businesses in the near future, 6G will become a key enabler of digital transformation across industries — from healthcare to manufacturing, providing ultra-reliable, low-latency communications and massive connectivity.

The vision of 6G: not just an upgrade

6G represents a significant departure from 5G, focusing on core developments that will make it a true generational leap. Unlike its predecessors, 6G will redefine network architecture, including the core network, radio access network (RAN), and user equipment (UE), to deliver a drastically improved user experience, increased energy efficiency, and enhanced spectral efficiency.

This roadmap sets the stage for the mobile industry ecosystem to rally for market entry, with the promise of a global 6G standard that will drive industry-wide innovation and growth.

"6G is not the continuation or upgrade of 5G technologies; it is also not another way to implement 5G. Instead, 6G is a new generation of capabilities; it should generate new values for the consumers,” according to Dr. Tong.

6G aims to deliver a 10 to 30 times better user experience, three times more intrinsic spectral efficiency, and significant energy savings. This leap is not about mere incremental upgrades but actually about redefining what is possible in the mobile industry.

6G and the AI revolution: a quantum leap

A major aspect of 6G's potential lies in its integration with AI. Indeed, AI will be a fundamental enabler of 6G, according to Dr. Tong who believes it will drive the next wave of innovation across the mobile industry. 

The AI revolution is already transforming every aspect of our work and lives, and 6G must fully embrace this shift to unlock new opportunities.

Three core areas will embrace AI within the 6G framework, through Dr. Tong’s proposed 6G A-Core:

• A tailored core network: The 6G core network will be re-architected using agentic AI technologies to achieve full automation across generation, operation, and maintenance. This will enable the 6G core to support the primitive capabilities of AI, sensing, and non-terrestrial networks (NTN), going beyond the capabilities of the 5G service-based architecture (SBA).
• RAN: In the RAN, artificial general intelligence (AGI) and embodiment-AI will be mainstream applications in the 2030-2040 timeframe. Current generative AI technologies are insufficient for the challenges ahead, and deeper research is required to fully harness AGI's potential in 6G.
• UE: User equipment in the 6G era must support "Full AI" functionality. The transition from 5G to 6G will be challenging if devices cannot adapt to the rapid development of AI and sensing capabilities. To fully realize the benefits of 6G, UE must evolve to keep pace with advancements in AI.

Specifically, agentic AI can help operators deliver their customers more tailored apps, monitor network quality and performance to meet business needs, and opens a route for operators to sell generative network services via open APIs.

“A-Core bridges the gap between connectivity and applications, empowering telecom operators to build further competitiveness in the industry,” explains Dr. Tong.

“With its capabilities for generative app creation and tailored networks, A-Core unlocks new revenue streams, redefines the value chain, and positions operators as central players in the 6G ecosystem.”

This approach will help protect operator investments in 5G while fostering the long-term growth of the mobile industry. "6G technologies should not overlap and duplicate with 5G, as well as to compete with the 5G market space and waste operators' investment,” Dr. Tong emphasizes. 

“Instead, 6G technologies should create innovative industry values and expand the market space for the mobile industry." 

Continuous innovation is crucial to expanding market opportunities, driving new revenue streams, and ensuring the industry's future growth.

Generational innovation is key to differentiating 6G from its predecessors. Reusing 5G network architecture without fundamental innovation would limit the mobile industry's aspirations and stifle the opportunities for new breakthroughs, particularly in AI-driven services and applications.

The future of connectivity and business value

One of the major challenges for 6G will be the need for breakthroughs in terminal technologies. Dr. Tong draws a parallel to the evolution of mobile devices, stating: "In 2007, iPhones enabled the mobile broadband industry development with phenomenal market success. It is hard to imagine that smartphones will continue to drive [the] mobile industry beyond 2030." Similarly, 6G will require a new wave of terminal innovation to meet the needs of the future.

The current generation of smartphones may not be sufficient to drive the mobile industry beyond 2030. Breakthroughs must be made in terminal technologies to fully leverage the capabilities of 6G. The 6G system must be prepared to support advanced terminals that can harness the power of AI and sensing technologies. These innovations will be critical to ensuring the success of 6G and to delivering a seamless, enhanced user experience.

Ultimately, 6G is set to reshape the mobile industry through true generational innovation, fully embracing the power of AI and further enabling it to deliver new capabilities and value to consumers and businesses alike. Unlike previous generational shifts, 6G is a massive step change that looks set to reimagine the future of connectivity and drive innovation across the entire ecosystem.

A thoughtful, innovative approach to 6G is crucial to expanding market opportunities while leveraging past investments. By focusing on true innovation, 6G will enable businesses to unlock new revenue streams, deliver enhanced services, and achieve digital transformation goals.

As we look towards the future, 6G promises to deliver unprecedented levels of connectivity, performance, and user experience. Businesses and consumers stand to benefit immensely from the capabilities of 6G, as it paves the way for a smarter, more connected world.