one6G releases the 5th edition of the “6G Technology Overview” White Paper
The 5th edition of the “6G Technology Overview” White Paper has just been released at the one6G Summit 2025 in Bologna, Italy. This new publication provides a comprehensive look at the key technological pillars that will shape the sixth generation of mobile networks, expected to become a reality by 2030 and beyond.
The paper highlights the monumental challenge and opportunity of 6G: to meet a diverse and often conflicting set of demands. Beyond just extending the capabilities of 5G—with goals like ten times lower latency and one hundred times higher data rates—6G is envisioned as a foundational technology for a sustainable society, emphasizing high energy efficiency and a low carbon footprint.
The edition of the paper delves into 12 core enabling technologies that form the nucleus of the 6G ecosystem. These are:
- Terahertz frequencies
- 6G radio access
- Next-generation MIMO
- Cooperative connected and automated mobility
- Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC)
- Non-terrestrial networks
- Multimodal sensing, computing, communication, and control for 6G remote operation
- 6G empowering robotics
- Distributed and federated artificial intelligence (AI)
- Intelligent user plane
- Flexible programmable infrastructures
- Sustainability
For each technology, the paper provides a detailed background, outlines relevant use cases, and offers a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art, including key problems and difficulties that need to be addressed. The report emphasizes that this is not an exhaustive list but represents the current understanding of the technologies that will drive 6G forward. Future versions of this paper may include other relevant technologies.
The paper reiterates that 6G is poised to transform how mobile network services are delivered and consumed, also stressing that 6G must be not only user- and environment-friendly but also operator-friendly, facilitating the easy development and deployment of new services.