Samsung will lead the standardization of 6G technology in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) until 2029.
Choi Hyun-jin, a researcher at Samsung Research, was appointed chair of the Coordination Group on IMT-2030 (6G) at the recent ITU-R Working Party 5D (WP 5D) meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. The appointment marks Choi’s second leadership role in 6G standardization efforts within the ITU-R, having previously served as chair of the 6G Vision Group from 2021 to 2023.
Under Choi’s leadership, the coordination group will be responsible for defining the development process for 6G technology standards, as well as creating submission templates for potential 6G technologies and considering proposals from various stakeholders.
The road to 6G standardization is expected to involve a variety of industry players and regulatory bodies and will require both competition and cooperation. The ITU-R has already laid the groundwork with the publication of its IMT-2030 Framework Recommendation in November 2023, which outlines the future direction of 6G technology.
According to the current schedule, ITU-R aims to establish technical performance requirements for 6G technology by 2026. These requirements will serve as the basis for standardization organizations such as the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to develop candidate 6G technologies, which will then be submitted to ITU-R for evaluation and adjustment.
The final technical specifications for 6G are expected to be completed by 2030, marking the culmination of a decade-long standardization process. With the IMT-2030 framework recommendation already providing key performance indicators, usage scenarios, standardization, spectrum allocation and commercialization roadmaps, the industry is now poised to tackle more detailed standardization efforts.
As the process progresses, countries and companies will compete for leadership in setting 6G communications standards, including performance requirements and frequency bands. Samsung’s active involvement in this process underscores the company’s determination to maintain its position as a global leader in communications technology innovation.
“Samsung actively collaborates with influential standardization organizations to continue developing innovative communications technologies to strengthen its position as a global leader in 6G standardization,” the company explained.
Samsung’s move underscores the growing importance of 6G technology in the telecommunications industry: While 5G networks are still being widely rolled out, forward-thinking companies have already begun laying the groundwork for the next generation of wireless communications.
6G is expected to bring unprecedented advances in areas such as network capacity, latency, and connectivity. These improvements could enable revolutionary applications in areas such as augmented reality, holographic communications, and autonomous systems.
As the standardization process moves forward, it will be important to address challenges such as spectrum allocation, energy efficiency and global interoperability. Through its leadership role in the ITU-R Coordination Group, Samsung can influence these critical decisions and shape the future of global communications.
The appointment of HyoungJin Choi as head of the Coordination Group also highlights the importance of collaboration between industry and regulators in driving technological innovation.
As 6G development accelerates, we can expect to see increased collaboration between tech giants, telecommunications operators, and international organizations to ensure a smooth transition to the next generation of wireless communications.
(Image courtesy of Samsung)
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