Samsung to lead 6G standardisation with 3GPP appointment

Samsung will lead 6G standardisation efforts within the 3GPP, the world’s largest telecoms standards development organisation.

At the recent 3GPP plenary meeting, Dr Younsun Kim from Samsung Research was elected as Chair of the 3GPP Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network (TSG RAN). This group is responsible for standardising all facets of wireless technology, including the physical layer, protocol aspects, and radio resource control.

Dr Kim’s appointment is seen as a significant win for Samsung, allowing the company to heavily influence the future direction of 6G technology.

“I believe that my election as chair is further recognition of Samsung’s leadership in mobile communication technology,” stated Dr Kim. “6G standardisation involves more than just solving technical issues; it is a collaborative effort requiring participation from all companies and organisations in the mobile communication sector.”

3GPP, established in 1998, is instrumental in shaping global mobile communication standards and has active participation from industry giants such as Samsung, Apple, Qualcomm, Huawei, Ericsson, and Nokia.

Dr Kim’s track record within 3GPP is already impressive. In May 2021, he was elected Chair of Radio Access Network Working Group 1 (RAN WG1), the largest working group within 3GPP, responsible for developing physical layer specifications for 3GPP radio access technologies. Over the past four years, Dr Kim has successfully spearheaded the standardisation of 5G physical layer technology, playing a key role in the burgeoning 5G network industry.

With his expanded role as Chair of 3GPP TSG RAN, effective from May, Samsung will be able to exert even greater influence over the standardisation of 6G, the next evolutionary step in mobile communication technology.

“Dr Kim’s appointment to the chair position of the Technical Specification Group is viewed as a recognition of Samsung’s contributions and technological leadership in the mobile communication industry,” the company stated.

Samsung currently holds two chair positions, in RAN WG1 and SA WG2, and four vice-chair positions in RAN WG2, SA WG4, SA WG6, and CT WG3. With Dr Kim’s election, Samsung will maintain the highest number of chair positions within 3GPP – even after the RAN WG1 chair term expires – solidifying its pivotal role among over 800 member companies.

“The advancement of mobile communication systems is now at a turning point. It must not only enhance transmission speeds but also drive 6G standardisation with a focus on new values,” according to Samsung.

6G aims to deliver “future-oriented and sustainable advancements” in mobile communication, including improved network energy efficiency, enhanced network quality using AI, and robust security technologies to counter quantum computer-based attacks.

“I will make every effort to successfully lead 3GPP’s TSG RAN and advance the standardisation of 6G,” Dr Kim concludes.

(Image credit: Samsung)

See also: Ericsson and SoftBank expand AI-RAN collaboration

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Tags: 3gpp, 6g, connectivity, mobile, Networks, samsung, standards, telecoms