3GPP sets 6G development timeline amid standardization concerns

The telecommunications industry is preparing for the transition to 6G, with 3GPP having established a freeze schedule for Release 21. The first 6G specifications are expected to reach a final freeze between late 2028 and March 2029, with commercial rollouts projected between 2029 and 2030 by companies such as Qualcomm and Ericsson.

While some existing 5G infrastructure may migrate to 6G via software upgrades, new spectrum around 7 GHz will necessitate significant hardware changes, particularly regarding RF front ends, antenna arrays, and material decisions.

Experts have raised concerns regarding the standardization of the 6G core network. There are warnings that the industry should avoid repeating the architectural mistakes of the 5G Standalone (SA) cycle, where the 3GPP insulated core network design from ITU-T oversight. Critics argue this lack of universal interoperability and the bypassing of traditional global transport standards could lead to vendor lock-in rather than the intended multi-vendor cloud ecosystem.