ITU Releases Framework for Development of Standards for 6G Technology

Emma Okonji

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has published the framework for the development of standards and radio interface technologies for the sixth generation of mobile systems, popularly referred to as 6G.

The framework is in line with the ‘IMT-2030 Framework’ approved by the ITU Radio communication Assembly (RA-23) at its recent meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 

Based on the new framework, ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) will now focus on defining technical requirements, the submission process, and the evaluation criteria for potential 6G radio interface technologies. 

Giving details of the framework for the development of standards for 6G technology, ITU Secretary General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said: “Mobile communications are central to our efforts to ensure that everyone is meaningfully connected. By agreeing on a way forward on 6G, ITU Member States have taken an important step toward ensuring that technical progress is synonymous with affordability, security, and resilience, thus supporting sustainable development and digital transformation everywhere.” 

The ITU-R Recommendation, which contains the framework, represents significant progress in the development and implementation of globally accepted standards for mobile systems using 6G. All the previous mobile telecommunication generations – analogue cellular (1G), digital cellular (2G), IMT ‑ 2000 (3G), IMT‑ Advanced (4G), and IMT ‑ 2020 (5G), were also standardised through ITU. 

Director of the ITU Radio communication Bureau, Mario Maniewicz, said: “Terrestrial wireless systems to be developed under IMT-2030 are expected to drive the next wave of innovative radio communication systems, promote digital equity and advance universal connectivity. The publication of the Recommendation on future 6G mobile technologies is a testament to ITU’s longstanding multi-stakeholder approach which ensures the development of globally accepted technical and regulatory solutions.” 

For the next phase of 6G development, companies and industry associations will submit proposals for the IMT-2030 Radio Interface Technology (RIT) for ITU-R consideration in early 2027. These submissions will then be evaluated against the agreed minimum requirements prepared by ITU’s expert group on IMT systems (ITU-R Working Party 5D), with the prospect of getting a final set of 6G technology standards approved by 2030. 

The IMT-2030 Framework Recommendation identifies 15 capabilities for 6G technology. Nine of those capabilities are derived from existing 5G systems. 

IMT-2030 is also expected to help address the need for increased environmental, social and economic sustainability, and also support the goals of the Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 

ITU’s Radio communication Assembly, held between 13 and 17 November last year, also agreed on “IMT-2030” as the technical reference for the latest generation of International Mobile Telecommunications and updated the principles (Resolution ITU-R 65) for future development of IMT for 2030 and beyond.

More information is available on the IMT-2030 website. ​

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), driving innovation in ICTs together with 193 Member States and a membership of over 900 companies, universities, and international and regional organisations.