WBA report highlights collaboration for 6G network success
The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) has released a report outlining the transformative potential of 6G technology and emphasising the need for increased collaboration among industry stakeholders to fully realise its capabilities.
The WBA's "6G - WBA Vision Statement" calls for a unified approach to achieving ubiquitous connectivity by integrating various wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi, cellular, non-terrestrial networks, and IoT LPWANs. The report identifies five core vision points for 6G, focusing on making wireless networks collaborative rather than competitive.
The two most widely adopted wireless technologies, Wi-Fi and cellular, have historically developed along separate technical and industry paths. While some integration efforts, such as Wi-Fi Calling, have been made, broader adoption has been hindered by fragmented user experiences and the complexity of non-3GPP access methods. The WBA report suggests that alignment of standards is necessary to enhance real-world implementation and adoption.
The WBA envisions 6G networks that provide seamless connectivity across different environments, whether urban, rural, or indoors. The report highlights the need for practical solutions to address industry challenges like fragmented user experiences and costly network implementations.
Cost and operational efficiency is another focus of the vision statement, with a suggestion that Wi-Fi's cost-effectiveness could complement 6G technology. This integration could reduce capital expenditures, cut operational costs, and improve network densification indoors.
Unlike the broad focus of 5G, the WBA suggests 6G should target specific applications like healthcare, smart cities, and industrial automation, using reliable and low-latency connectivity to foster advancements in these sectors.
Global collaboration and standardisation are emphasised, urging stakeholders from various technology fields, including organisations like 3GPP, GSMA, IEEE, IETF, and the Wi-Fi Alliance, to align and avoid fragmentation. The report calls for unified standards to ensure interoperability.
The WBA provides three recommendations to address industry fragmentation and to facilitate the alignment necessary for 6G success. It underscores a balance between service requirements and technology-driven solutions, advocating for a customer-led approach. Operators are encouraged to take a holistic view to define end-user needs, while vendors provide specialised technologies.
The strategic role of Wi-Fi in the development of 6G standards is highlighted, along with the importance of promoting multi-stakeholder engagement to ensure convergence meets customer needs. The WBA recommends supporting innovation labs dedicated to 6G convergence to develop, test, and validate real-world solutions.
Tiago Rodrigues, CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance, stated: "Collaboration between cellular, Wi-Fi and other wireless technologies stakeholders, including operators, vendors, and vertical industry players, is crucial for the success of 6G. By centering its vision on densification, capacity, efficiency, and collaboration, the WBA aims to make 6G not just a technological leap but a practical solution for global connectivity challenges."
The WBA also encourages several actionable steps, such as developing frameworks for seamless identity management and network densification models, leveraging AI for network optimisation, and establishing innovation labs.
JR Wilson, Vice President, Tower Strategy and Roaming at AT&T and WBA Chairman, said: "Our customers will measure the success of 6G by how well it meets their needs in the real world. At AT&T our focus is implementing solutions that best serve customers, with the right technology and user experience for every consumer and business use case, underpinned by our ability to support them operationally. The WBA 6G Vision Paper highlights how important it is to meet those needs regardless of the technology concerned."
Maria Cuevas Ramirez, Board Director of the Wireless Broadband Alliance and Network Infrastructure Research Director at BT, commented: "It is important that the 6G era brings together cellular, Wi-Fi, and non-terrestrial access in a more seamless fashion, to create a "network of networks" that delivers a great experience for customers. Collaboration will be critical to achieving this and we're pleased to support the WBA Vision Statement for 6G which aims to identify and propose key enhancements to enable the industry to deliver on this ambition."
Dr. Mehmet Ozdem, Director of Network Design and Service Management at Turk Telekom, added: "The convergence of 6G and Wi-Fi will enable interoperability between different communication protocols and architectures, creating a more efficient and user-centric ecosystem. This convergence will play a strategic role for operators by accelerating digital transformation. WBA will provide guidance and leadership in this area through its work with technology stakeholders and industry leaders."
