As each generation of wireless technology pushes the boundaries of connectivity, 6G is poised to transform the enterprise wireless services landscape—enhancing speed, reducing latency, and expanding network coverage like never before. This is catalyzing a new era of AI-native networks, ubiquitous connectivity, and integrated communications.
Click here to read on about growth opportunities in the 6G network infrastructure landscape.
For providers, this implies a strategic shift in infrastructure requirements and service offerings, necessitating new base stations and advanced network architectures to handle increasing data rates and connection densities. Consequently, the pressure to pivot growth strategies is at an all-time high. Now, the following imperatives can help stakeholders better prepare for this transformation:
- Disruptive Technologies
Developing AI-Native 6G: Piecemeal AI initiatives played an important role in the automation of 5G networks. But with 6G, the need to embed AI from the ground up is higher. This is pushing providers to embrace AI-first strategies in network design, security, maintenance, spectrum management, and resource orchestration.
- Competitive Intensity
Growing Competition from New Entrants: Network infrastructure is transitioning from hardware-based systems to software-based, cloud-driven solutions. This is opening doors for new competitors and suppliers that focus on niche 6G applications and scenarios like power optimization, AI, and sensing, thereby challenging established equipment providers.
- Transformative Megatrends
Enabling Massive Communications: 6G is expected to revolutionize massive machine-type communications (mMTC) by addressing the evolving demands of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This is amplifying the need for providers to increase connection densities, monetize sensing functionalities, and deliver more energy-efficient communication protocols.
- Internal Challenges
Transitioning to Standalone (SA) Networks: Many current 5G networks still rely on 4G core infrastructure and non-standalone (NSA) architectures, limiting their full potential. While addressing this challenge, providers feel the pressure to specifically design 6G core networks for simplifying upgrade paths in future transitions.
Which strategies will help your teams adapt to these imperatives while preparing for the 6G revolution?
- Disruptive Technologies
Integrating Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs): Incorporating satellite communication systems that extend beyond the Earth’s surface, while seamlessly complementing terrestrial networks to achieve ubiquitous connectivity. This is crucial for the development of 6G, as it enables global coverage, enhances network capacity, and supports emerging applications.
- Innovative Business Models
Enabling Spectrum Sharing: It takes time for a new cellular generation to acquire users. At the same time, spectrum is a limited resource. This means that providers will need to prioritize efficient spectrum sharing to ensure that 6G networks can coexist with 5G without interference or performance loss.
- Transformative Megatrends
Optimizing Energy Usage: As the data that flows through radio access networks (RANs) continues to increase, it magnifies energy and spectrum requirements for CSPs. This will necessitate innovative strategies for energy management and optimization.
- Compression of Value Chains
Verticalizing Network Solutions: Developing vertical-specific strategies for the integration of 6G across different industries, based on API-driven access customized to specific user needs. This will help providers better support to mission-critical applications like autonomous mobile robots, remote surgery, patient monitoring, autonomous vehicles, and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications.
Today, we are halfway through the 5G era, and it is time for businesses to prepare for the next generation of wireless technology. While many aspects of 6G networks remain uncertain, providers that focus on monetizing AI-driven automation, innovative sensing capabilities, ubiquitous connectivity, and energy efficiency will gain long-term competitive advantages.
How will you equip your organization to gain first-mover advantages in the 6G revolution?
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