Enabling the full potential of 6G requires a different standardisation approach to prevent complexity and market confusion, alongside a smooth and cost-effective migration path with a focus on Multi-RAT Spectrum Sharing (MRSS) as a baseline solution, according to two new Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGMN) industry publications.
‘6G Architecture and Migration Options – An Operator View’ evaluates multiple 6G architecture and migration options for the radio access network (RAN) and core network. The goal is to help identify the most appropriate migration choices early when it comes to simplifying networks and reducing complexity, ensuring smooth and scalable deployment.
NGMN has also released a second publication, ‘6G Deployment Timeframe Considerations – An Operator View’, providing a consolidated view from leading operators across multiple regions on the timing constraints associated with the introduction of 6G. Drawing on lessons learned from 5G standalone deployments, it emphasises the importance of allowing sufficient time to develop robust standards that meet operator requirements. Current industry perspectives suggest that commercial introduction of standardised 6G capabilities is likely to emerge in the early years of the 2030s.
Both publications have been released in conjunction with the 3GPP plenary meeting in Singapore (8-12 June).
Ahead of the June-September 2026 timeframe of the 3GPP study phase, a decisive period to establish foundations for initial 6G deployments, NGMN’s ‘6G Architecture and Migration Options – An Operator View’ urges the global industry to learn the lessons from 5G. That means converging early on a primary approach to 6G migration in order to limit fragmentation and reduce long‑term complexity across user equipment (UE), RAN and core networks.
The publication also emphasises the need for operators to prioritise further study efforts on real performance and implementation feasibility with MRSS, while acknowledging that MRSS performance needs to be enhanced compared to 4G-5G Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) and that further work on MRSS efficiency such as support of Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) and Time Division Duplexing (TDD) spectrum will be required.
Alternative approaches including Dual Connectivity and Dual Stack solutions were also analysed against current networks and future deployment needs, but with the caveat they should only be pursued if they can tackle well‑defined deployment gaps that MRSS cannot address.
Meanwhile, ahead of 3GPP’s decision on Release 21, which will be the first announced 6G specification, NGMN’s ‘6G Deployment Timeframe Considerations – An Operator View’ highlights the need to prioritise simpler and better initial standards to unlock the full potential of 6G.
The publication also emphasises the importance of avoiding blurring the value proposition to customers and minimising migration complexity for operators. It underscores the importance for NGMN operators that high-quality specifications are completed before standardised 6G capabilities are introduced commercially. Large-scale deployments depend on the availability of a fully developed ecosystem, encompassing both network infrastructure and a broad base of compatible devices.
Laurent Leboucher, the chairman of the NGMN Alliance Board and Orange Group CTO and EVP Networks, commented: “The transition to 6G will present significant opportunities, but only if the industry prioritises migration paths that build on existing network assets, minimise operational complexity and deliver tangible benefits from the earliest deployment stages. Dedicating sufficient time to this process is crucial, otherwise risking unnecessary complexity and long-term challenges, limiting the value to operators and end users.”
Greg McCall, the chief networks officer at BT, and NGMN Board Director, said: “Alongside early evaluation of migration options, it is equally critical that decisions around architecture align cost with a realistic assessment of hardware reuse and enable scalable, multi‑vendor ecosystems. Migration and architecture solutions should support interoperability, cloud‑based deployments and long‑term operational efficiency.”
Guangyi Liu, the chief expert of China Mobile and NGMN Board Director, added: “While flexibility is important, migration options need to be limited if we are to learn the lessons from 5G that hindered time-to-market. The current promise of MRSS as a migration path for 6G deployment is clear, but for this to be realised that means ensuring there is not unnecessary complexity on networks or devices.”
Anita Döhler, the CEO of NGMN, said: “6G is one of NGMN’s core areas of strategic focus and this year and next will be critical to pave the way. Decisions of today around standardisation, including migration options, will shape the entire 6G ecosystem and determine its long-term success with regards to ability to deliver value to customers. We will continue to provide operator-driven guidance around key requirements for design considerations and network architecture evolution to support the industry in the evolving 6G landscape.”
NGMN contributes operator-driven requirements to standards organisations (SDOs) and provides impactful industry guidance to enable innovative, sustainable and affordable mobile telecommunications services.
NGMN’s latest two publications can be downloaded from here:
- ‘6G Architecture and Migration Options – An Operator View’*
- ‘6G Deployment Timeframe Considerations – An Operator View’
*This is an initial version that will evolve in the coming months in line with ongoing standardisation developments and emerging insights.
Further information and all NGMN publications can be found on the website at ngmn.org.
