The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has published the framework
for the development of standards and radio interface technologies for the sixth
generation of International Mobile Telecommunication (IMT) systems, popularly referred to as 6G.
The details of the 6G framework are contained in Recommendation ITU-R
M.2160 on the “IMT-2030 Framework” approved by the ITU Radiocommunication Assembly (RA-23)
at its recent meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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.
“Mobile communications are central to our efforts to ensure that everyone is
meaningfully connected,” said Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU Secretary-General.
“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 -supporting sustainable development and digital transformation everywhere.”
The ITU-R Recommendation 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 standardized through ITU.
“Terrestrial wireless systems to be developed under IMT-2030 are expected
to drive the next wave of innovative radiocommunication systems, promote
digital equity and advance universal connectivity,” said Mario Maniewicz,
Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau.
“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.”