ETSI launches ISG for 6G-bound Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces technology

Global standards body ETSI has launched an industry specification group (ISG) for Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS), a technology that’s expected to play a key 6G role.

RIS is a new type of system node that aims to leverage smart radio surfaces with thousands of small antennas or metamaterial elements to dynamically shape and control radio signals in a goal-oriented manner.

In practical terms, RIS will enable new use cases such as improving elderly care by...

4 October 2021 | 6G

Huawei CEO wants global experts to figure out 6G in Shanghai campus

Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei wants to attract global experts to the company’s Shanghai campus to get an early lead in 6G.

Speaking during an internal company meeting, Ren said that its Qingpu, Shanghai campus is “beautiful and suitable for foreigners”. Furthermore, he said: “If there are 700 or 800 foreign scientists working here, they will not feel they are in a foreign country.”

China is already the leader in 6G patents, something that the country’s national...

16 September 2021 | 6G

China proclaims 6G lead through its extensive patent portfolio

The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) used state media this week to proclaim the country’s lead in the development of 6G.

CNIPA made the declaration on World Intellectual Property Day (April 26th) and pointed to its analysis of 6G-related patents which found – of 38,000 patents – around 35 percent (13,449) came from China.

The US took second place with 18 percent of patents relating to 6G.

In the report, CNIPA advises China to...

27 April 2021 | 6G

Apple is already preparing for 6G despite expected 2030(ish) launch

Cupertino has already begun looking for talent to help it get ahead of the competition when 6G begins rolling out.

Apple is rarely first to support new technologies, it’s happy to sit back and wait for them to mature a little. Some would argue Apple was late to 5G while others would say the company was about on time given the relatively limited coverage in most places.

However, companies like Apple don’t get to where they are today without looking...

18 February 2021 | 6G

Nokia will lead the EU’s Hexa-X 6G research project

Nokia will take the helm of the European Commission’s flagship 6G research project, Hexa-X.

Hexa-X aims to develop fundamental 6G technologies and create unique new cases where they can be applied.

Six key research challenges for 6G have been identified which Hexa-X will aim to tackle:

Connecting intelligence: AI/Machine Learning (ML) technologies need to be a vital and trusted tool for significantly improved efficiency and service experience, serving...

7 December 2020 | 6G

Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and others form 6G alliance

All of the major US telcos have formed an alliance with other wireless industry players to research 6G technology.

The so-called Next G Alliance is designed to ensure North America is a leader in shaping the next generation of wireless technology and its eventual deployment.

Susan Miller, CEO and President of ATIS, says:

“As countries around the globe progress ambitious 6G research and development initiatives, it is critical that North American industry steps...

13 October 2020 | 6G

First 6G whitepaper from University of Oulu aims to paint picture for 2030 wireless landscape

In February, US president Donald Trump sent out a tweet which demanded the United States be at the forefront of emerging technology innovation amid a turbulent wireless industry landscape. In that month alone, aside from the ongoing Huawei saga, Verizon touted an edge computing solution as a way to reduce 5G latency, while Sprint and AT&T were at loggerheads over alleged misleading 5G-E branding.

The...

11 September 2019 | 6G

Nokia, Ericsson, and SK Telecom collaborate on 6G research

Rival vendors Nokia and Ericsson are setting aside their differences and collaborating with SK Telecom on 6G research. The rollout of 5G is just gaining traction but already some are looking at what shape the next generation might take. "Collaboration between companies like this will be important as the technology and standard for 6G networks is yet to be clearly defined," SK Telecom said. SK Telecom has established itself as one of the world’s most pioneering operators. While somewhat...

17 June 2019 | 6G