Consensus, time and a focus on continuous improvement will be key elements for guiding the evolution of mobile networks towards 6G and beyond, building on the solid foundation of 5G. The Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGMN) revealed this while publishing a proposed framework to guide the evolution of network architecture towards 6G.
The “Network Architecture Evolution towards 6G” publication builds on NGMN’s “6G Position Statement – An Operator View”, published in 2023. It advises that the future 6G network architecture should address 5G gaps, support new scenarios and requirements, adapt to RAN changes, and embrace emerging technology trends. NGMN emphasises the importance of allocating sufficient time in the standardisation process to ensure industry-wide collaboration, enabling a smooth and continuous evolution of mobile networks towards 6G and beyond.
“NGMN envisions the future network architecture as a service-based platform that evolves to efficiently meet the growing demands of users, applications and industries, while leveraging the ongoing advancements of 5G,” said Arash Ashouriha, Chairman of the NGMN Alliance Board and SVP Group Technology at Deutsche Telekom. “To ensure the next generation of mobile networks unleashes its full potential, it is important that clear architectural design and implementation principles are set at an early stage, promoting cooperation, minimising unnecessary complexity, and ensuring alignment with long-term objectives,” continued NGMN’s Chairman.
The 6G network architecture design principles aim to address the limitations of 5G while ensuring support for new scenarios and requirements. MNOs participating in the study highlighted network complexity, challenges in integrating with legacy systems, and energy efficiency as key concerns with existing 5G networks that should not be repeated in 6G development. Autonomous network management and AI-native design were identified as key drivers for architectural change.
Among the 13 principles established by NGMN, the evolving network architecture should enable innovation, support on-demand deployment of new features, and ensure backward compatibility with existing core connectivity services, reflecting a philosophy of continuous improvement and incorporate ‘quantum-safe’ infrastructure to enhance security, privacy, and resilience.
MNOs involved in the development of these principles also suggested that a new 6G air interface should provide tangible improvements over 5G-Advanced in key areas, including increased spectrum efficiency, ISAC, and dense low-cost device connectivity.
Following the publication of this framework, NGMN will lead further initiatives and publish recommendations and requirements on key areas of network architecture evolution. These include developing migration strategies, ensuring seamless coexistence with existing 5G networks, and exploring new capabilities that 6G must support. These efforts will guide the continuous evolution of network architecture towards a scalable, innovative, efficient, and sustainable framework, ensuring a seamless transition that empowers a truly connected and intelligent society.
"The future of mobile networks lies in their ability to evolve continuously, much like software, to meet the changing needs of users and industries. By focusing more on gradual improvements and leveraging the strengths of 5G and beyond, we can ensure a sustainable flow of innovative features, keeping our customers delighted," emphasised Laurent Leboucher, Member of the NGMN Alliance Board and Group CTO and Executive VP Networks at Orange.
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