NTT DOCOMO has announced a major step forward in 6G development, with the approval of a 6G Radio Access Network (RAN) study item at a recent 3GPP group meeting serving as a pivotal moment for next-generation mobile technology.
The study item, finalized during a 3GPP TSG-RAN meeting in Madrid last week, received endorsements from 56 companies representing various global markets.
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Unified Innovation
NTT DOCOMO explained that the initiative, in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), will establish technical 6G performance benchmarks.
The operator emphasized that the study will focus on identifying deployment scenarios, technical requirements, and potential advancements in 6G radio access technologies within 3GPP. This effort, it noted, includes contributions from leaders across diverse countries and regions, reflecting a unified commitment to creating a globally interoperable 6G standard.
Looking ahead, DOCOMO described the future 6G network as a critical enabler of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are poised to enhance network capabilities and fuel innovation across industries.
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Advancing 6G Standardization
In a statement released by NTT DOCOMO, several telecom executives expressed their support of the advancement of 6G standardization.
China Mobile stated, “We believe that 6G standardization should be driven by the realistic demands of social digitalization and intelligent development, aiming at the commercial closed loop. With open minds, unity and cooperation, in-depth research, and steady promotion, we will build a high-quality and high-value 6G to inject new vitality and impetus into the sustainable development of the information industry. China Mobile eagerly hopes to strengthen cooperation and collaborative innovation with global partners through the 6G joint innovation park and forge a unified global 6G standard.”
The Senior Executive Vice President and CTO of NTT DOCOMO, Takaaki Sato, stated, “Developing 6G global standard is an important opportunity to provide new values such as sustainability, higher efficiency, network for AI, connectivity everywhere, and new/improved customer experiences. These values have great potential to change our life and industries with IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network) for adapting to the environment in global. NTT DOCOMO is willing to lead this activity in 3GPP together with other great contributors in diverse regions, as there are global common demands and issues 6G should address.”
Verizon CTO, Yago Tenorio, added, “A unified global technology standard is essential for unlocking the full potential of 6G, enabling seamless and secure connectivity, and fostering an inclusive digital society. By working together with industry partners, we can achieve ambitious global objectives and ensure that the benefits of next-generation connectivity are accessible to all.”
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