ITU-R appoints Samsung researcher to lead 6G coordination group

Samsung will spearhead the standardisation of 6G technologies in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) until 2029.

HyoungJin Choi, a researcher from Samsung Research, has been appointed as the chair of the Coordination Group on IMT-2030 (6G) at the recent ITU-R Working Party 5D (WP 5D) meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland. This appointment marks Choi’s second leadership role in 6G standardisation efforts within the ITU-R, following his previous position as chair of the 6G Vision Group from 2021 to 2023.

The Coordination Group, under Choi’s leadership, will be tasked with defining the process for developing 6G technology standards. Additionally, it will create the submission template for candidate 6G technologies and review proposals from various stakeholders.

The road to 6G standardisation is expected to be both competitive and collaborative, involving various industry players and regulatory bodies. The ITU-R has already laid the groundwork with the release of the IMT-2030 Framework Recommendation in November 2023, which outlines the future direction of 6G technologies.

According to the current timeline, the ITU-R aims to establish the technical performance requirements for 6G technologies by 2026. These requirements will serve as the foundation for standards organisations like the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to develop candidate 6G technologies, which will then be submitted to the ITU-R for evaluation and coordination.

The final technical specifications for 6G are expected to be completed by 2030, marking the culmination of a decade-long standardisation process. With the IMT-2030 Framework Recommendation already providing key performance indicators, usage scenarios, and a roadmap for standardisation, spectrum allocation, and commercialisation, the industry is now poised to delve into more detailed standardisation efforts.

As the process unfolds, countries and companies will compete for leadership in setting 6G communications standards, including performance requirements and frequency bands. Samsung’s proactive involvement in this process underscores its commitment to maintaining its position as a global leader in telecommunications innovation.

“Samsung will actively engage with influential standards organisations and continue developing innovative communications technologies en route to reinforcing its position as a global leader in 6G standardisation,” the company explained.

This move by Samsung highlights the increasing importance of 6G technology in the telecommunications landscape. While 5G networks are still in the process of widespread deployment, forward-thinking companies are already laying the groundwork for the next generation of wireless communication.

6G is expected to bring unprecedented advancements in areas such as network capacity, latency, and connectivity. These improvements could enable transformative applications in fields like augmented reality, holographic communications, and autonomous systems.

As the standardisation process progresses, it will be crucial to address challenges such as spectrum allocation, energy efficiency, and global interoperability. Samsung’s leadership role in the ITU-R Coordination Group positions the company to influence these critical decisions and shape the future of global telecommunications.

The appointment of HyoungJin Choi to lead the Coordination Group also underscores the importance of collaboration between industry and regulatory bodies in driving technological innovation.

As 6G development gains momentum, we can expect to see increased cooperation between tech giants, telecom operators, and international organisations to ensure a smooth transition to the next era of wireless communication.

(Image Credit: Samsung)

See also: Germany prolongs banning Chinese 5G equipment

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Tags: 6g, connectivity, ITU, Networks, samsung, telecoms