Telecommunications industry focuses on 6G development and industrial 5G returns

Experts at the ICC 2026 Executive Forum in Glasgow identified three primary technology pillars for the development of 6G: non-terrestrial networks (NTN), integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), and AI-native networks. The forum, which included representatives from academia and major technology providers like Huawei and Qualcomm, emphasized that the success of 6G will depend on meeting specific operational KPIs such as reliability, latency, security, and energy efficiency.

Simultaneously, the industrial application of 5G is shifting toward a more disciplined phase. Market intelligence from IDC indicates that enterprises are moving beyond initial testing to demand measurable financial and operational returns. Businesses are increasingly prioritizing connectivity based on specific requirements—such as mobility, security, and low latency—rather than a simple preference for public or private networks. This shift includes a growing focus on enterprise sovereignty, involving control over data flows, security, and network capabilities.