Next G Alliance Launches for 6G

Proponents of 6G created an alliance to advocate for the “next” G technology. The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) is behind the new group; ATIS also brings together global companies to advance the industry’s business priorities for 5G, smart cities, IoT and other telecom-related issues.

The “Next G Alliance” is an industry initiative that will advance North American mobile technology leadership in 6G and beyond over the next decade. The group will encompass the lifecycle of R&D, manufacturing, standardization and market readiness. Founding members include: AT&T, Bell Canada, Ciena, Ericsson, Facebook, InterDigital, JMA Wireless, Microsoft, Nokia, Qualcomm Technologies Inc., Samsung, TELUS, Telnyx, T-Mobile, U.S.Cellular and Verizon.   

The Next G Alliance is named after its primary goal, to establish North American preeminence in the 5G evolutionary path and 6G development. It is an outgrowth of an ATIS call to action for 6G in May. According to the group, 6G will ultimately leverage new infrastructure, systems, networks and devices. Collectively, this ecosystem will be central to defining the Next G vision. 

Recognizing that now is the time for “bold action,” the Next G Alliance will initially focus on three strategic actions:

1.     Develop a 6G national roadmap that addresses the changing competitive landscape and positions North America as the global leader in R&D, standardization, manufacturing and adoption of Next G technologies.
2.     Align the North American technology industry on a core set of priorities that will steer leadership for 6G and beyond to influence government policies and funding.
3.     Identify and define the early steps and strategies that will facilitate and lead to rapid commercialization of Next G technologies across new markets and business sectors and promote wide scale adoption, both domestically and globally.

“As countries around the globe progress ambitious 6G research and development initiatives, it is critical that North American industry steps forward to develop a collaborative roadmap to advance its position as a global leader over the next decade,” said ATIS President/CEO Susan Miller. “The work of the Next G Alliance delivers just that – from research to commercialization – and it is setting the foundation for a vibrant marketplace for North American innovation in future generations of mobile technology.”