6G Global Summit 2023

Event Overview

The 6G Global Summit will take place on 3 – 4 May 2023 as a hybrid event. Delegates are able to choose to attend the event in person in the Kingdom of Bahrain or online using our virtual platform.

Following the summit’s successful launch as a virtual event in 2022, we are delighted to now be working alongside The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the Kingdom of Bahrain to introduce an in-person element for the first time. We look forward to welcoming as many delegates as possible in-person to the city of Manama for 2 full days of discussion, networking and live demonstrations.

Registration is free of charge, and with places limited we invite you to book your place now:

 

All around the world, work on developing the 6G vision is picking up pace. We are on the brink of a new era of connectivity that promises to revolutionize industries and transform the way we live, work and communicate.

The 6G Global Summit will bring together top-level industry and policy representatives from all around the world to explore the path to 2030 and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Early visions and research on future 6G technologies and requirements will be discussed, along with the key drivers, applications and use cases that are emerging. With sustainability expected to be at the heart of 6G, there is the potential over the next few years to build an ecosystem that helps to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. Join key global leaders at The 6G Global Summit, and be part of shaping a better future with 6G.

 

6G visions, requirements and business models

Can a unified global 6G standard be achieved?

Cyber Security in the 6G era

Building a sustainable future with 6G

The 6G 'network of networks'

Key theme 1

Spectrum for 6G: 7GHz - 24GHz, Terrahertz and more

  • Venue

  • Location

    Royal Saray Resort

    56, 428 King Mohammed VI Ave,
    Manama, Bahrain

    Information

    Royal Saray Resort

    The resort sits on a private beach at a short 15 minutes drive to the airport, 15 minutes away from famous Qal’at Al Bahrain fort – a UNESCO World Heritage site, and 20 minutes from Adliya – Bahrain’s art, food and nightlife district.

    More information on the hotel can be found here

    To receive an exclusive discounted accommodation rate, please contact 6Gsummit@forum-global.com

    Other recommended venues can be found on the Global 6G Information Brochure. 

  • Kingdom of Bahrain Entry Requirements

  • Visa Information

    International visitors can apply for an eVisa via the online portal. For visa application and requirements, kindly visit

    https://www.evisa.gov.bh/

    For further help, please email visa-assistance@tra.org.bh while also adding visa assistance request and conference name in the subject of email.
    If you would like more information about visiting Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, please download the information brochure below.

  • Accommodation

  • Exclusive Accommodation Rates

    In partnership with TRA  Bahrain we are excited to offer exclusive discounted accommodation rates at the following hotels. To receive this offer please register for the conference and get in touch at 6Gsummit@forum-global.com.

    The Royal Saray Resort

    The resort sits confidently on a private beach at a short 15 minutes drive to the airport, 15 minutes away from famous Qal’at Al Bahrain fort – a UNESCO World Heritage site, and 20 minutes from Adliya – Bahrain’s art, food and nightlife district. For culture and heritage adventures, there is so much to discover in the fascinating Kingdom of Bahrain. Delve into local history or take to the turquoise waters for an unforgettable day of fishing, sailing and diving, or water sports by the beach.

    Find more information here

    Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa

    Ramee Grand Hotel and Spa in Seef, Bahrain, is just a 9 km ride from Bahrain International Airport. With exciting places such as Seef Mall, Bahrain Fort, and Wahooo! Waterpark, and Manama Reef Island nearby, Seef is a promising place to visit for leisure and business travelers. Bahrain National Museum, National Stadium, and The Walk Bahrain are nearby places worth visiting.

    Find more information here

    Swiss Belhotel Seef Bahrain

    Situated in the country’s bustling business hub – Seef district, Swiss-Belhotel Seef is conveniently located only a 20 minute drive from the airport, with easy access to the main highways (zero/minimal congestion) as well as the first stop for visitors coming from the Saudi Causeway. The property is just a minutes’ walk from many cafes/restaurants as well as the Seef Mall. The island’s largest mall Bahrain City Centre is also just a short 5 minute drive away, making it the perfect location for both business and leisure

    Find more information here

     

Location

Royal Saray Resort

56, 428 King Mohammed VI Ave,
Manama, Bahrain

Information

Royal Saray Resort

The resort sits on a private beach at a short 15 minutes drive to the airport, 15 minutes away from famous Qal’at Al Bahrain fort – a UNESCO World Heritage site, and 20 minutes from Adliya – Bahrain’s art, food and nightlife district.

More information on the hotel can be found here

To receive an exclusive discounted accommodation rate, please contact 6Gsummit@forum-global.com

Other recommended venues can be found on the Global 6G Information Brochure. 

Visa Information

International visitors can apply for an eVisa via the online portal. For visa application and requirements, kindly visit

https://www.evisa.gov.bh/

For further help, please email visa-assistance@tra.org.bh while also adding visa assistance request and conference name in the subject of email.
If you would like more information about visiting Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, please download the information brochure below.

Exclusive Accommodation Rates

In partnership with TRA  Bahrain we are excited to offer exclusive discounted accommodation rates at the following hotels. To receive this offer please register for the conference and get in touch at 6Gsummit@forum-global.com.

The Royal Saray Resort

The resort sits confidently on a private beach at a short 15 minutes drive to the airport, 15 minutes away from famous Qal’at Al Bahrain fort – a UNESCO World Heritage site, and 20 minutes from Adliya – Bahrain’s art, food and nightlife district. For culture and heritage adventures, there is so much to discover in the fascinating Kingdom of Bahrain. Delve into local history or take to the turquoise waters for an unforgettable day of fishing, sailing and diving, or water sports by the beach.

Find more information here

Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa

Ramee Grand Hotel and Spa in Seef, Bahrain, is just a 9 km ride from Bahrain International Airport. With exciting places such as Seef Mall, Bahrain Fort, and Wahooo! Waterpark, and Manama Reef Island nearby, Seef is a promising place to visit for leisure and business travelers. Bahrain National Museum, National Stadium, and The Walk Bahrain are nearby places worth visiting.

Find more information here

Swiss Belhotel Seef Bahrain

Situated in the country’s bustling business hub – Seef district, Swiss-Belhotel Seef is conveniently located only a 20 minute drive from the airport, with easy access to the main highways (zero/minimal congestion) as well as the first stop for visitors coming from the Saudi Causeway. The property is just a minutes’ walk from many cafes/restaurants as well as the Seef Mall. The island’s largest mall Bahrain City Centre is also just a short 5 minute drive away, making it the perfect location for both business and leisure

Find more information here

 

Platinum Partners

Forum Global
TRA Logo
Analysys-Mason.png
Ericsson.png
GSMA new logo to use
GSA
GSOA
Intelsat
Huawei new 2023
Nokia New 2023
wwrf
ZTE
Cullen

Knowledge Partners

Supported by

Aetha 2021 logo
Nera
Nera
ITU
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Nera

Speakers Include

Mario Maniewicz 240x240

Mario Maniewicz

Director, Radiocommunication Bureau

ITU

Philip Marnick 240

Philip
Marnick

General
Director

Telecommunications Regulatory Authority

Konstantinos Masselos 240

Konstantinos Masselos

Chair

BEREC

Peter-stuckmann-240

Peter Stuckmann

Executive Director, Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking;
Head of Unit, Future Connectivity Systems

European Commission

Tariq Al Awadhi 240

Tariq Al Awadhi

Chairperson

Arab Spectrum Management Group

Chih-Lin I

Chih-Lin I

Chief
Scientist

China Mobile
Research Institute

Isabelle Mauro

Isabelle
Mauro

General
Director

GSOA

Eliane Semaan

Eliane
Semaan

Director, Spectrum and Technology Regulation

Ericsson

Madhusanka Liyanage 240

Madhusanka Liyanage

Ad Astra Fellow, University College Dublin; Expert Consultant

European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA)

Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa 240

Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa

CEO

National Cyber Security Centre, Bahrain

richard moore 240

Richard Moore

Principal Spectrum Policy Advisor

Ofcom

Ulrich Dropmann

Ulrich Dropmann

Head of Standardization and Industry Environment

Nokia

Stuart Cooke.jpeg

Stuart Cooke

Chair

GSA

Johann Adjovi 240

Johann Adjovi

Partner

Analysys Mason

MarjaMatinmikko-Blue240

Marja Matinmikko-Blue

Research Director

University of Oulu, Finland

Soumaya-Cherkaoui 240

Soumaya Cherkaoui

Full Professor

Polytechnique Montreal

Mikko Uusitalo

Mikko Uusitalo

Project Lead

Hexa-X

David_Boswarthick._240-removebg-preview

David Boswarthick

Director of New Technologies

ETSI

Mario Maniewicz 240x240

Mario Maniewicz

Director, Radiocommunication Bureau

ITU

Philip Marnick 240

Philip
Marnick

General
Director

Telecommunications Regulatory Authority

Konstantinos Masselos 240

Konstantinos Masselos

Chair

BEREC

Peter-stuckmann-240

Peter Stuckmann

Executive Director, Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking;
Head of Unit, Future Connectivity Systems

European Commission

Tariq Al Awadhi 240

Tariq Al Awadhi

Chairperson

Arab Spectrum Management Group

Chih-Lin I

Chih-Lin I

Chief
Scientist

China Mobile
Research Institute

Isabelle Mauro

Isabelle
Mauro

General
Director

GSOA

Eliane Semaan

Eliane
Semaan

Director, Spectrum and Technology Regulation

Ericsson

Madhusanka Liyanage 240

Madhusanka Liyanage

Ad Astra Fellow, University College Dublin; Expert Consultant

European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA)

Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa 240

Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa

CEO

National Cyber Security Centre, Bahrain

richard moore 240

Richard Moore

Principal Spectrum Policy Advisor

Ofcom

Ulrich Dropmann

Ulrich Dropmann

Head of Standardization and Industry Environment

Nokia

Stuart Cooke.jpeg

Stuart Cooke

Chair

GSA

Johann Adjovi 240

Johann Adjovi

Partner

Analysys Mason

MarjaMatinmikko-Blue240

Marja Matinmikko-Blue

Research Director

University of Oulu, Finland

Soumaya-Cherkaoui 240

Soumaya Cherkaoui

Full Professor

Polytechnique Montreal

Mikko Uusitalo

Mikko Uusitalo

Project Lead

Hexa-X

David_Boswarthick._240-removebg-preview

David Boswarthick

Director of New Technologies

ETSI

Wassim Jarkas 240

Wassim Jarkas

Senior Director Technology Operations

STC Bahrain

Lacina Kone 240

Lacina Kone

Director General

SMART Africa

Belal Al-Hafnawi 240

Belal Al-Hafnawi

Commissioner

TRC Jordan

Ruyue-Liu 240

Ruyue Li

VP of Radio System Research and Standardization

ZTE

Mohaned Juwad 240

Mohaned Juwad

Director, Spectrum Policy

Intelsat

Tassos-Lyratzis 240

Tassos Lyratzis

Co-Chair, Subgroup for 6G Development

RSPG

Forhadul Parvez 240

Forhadul Parvez

Programme Officer

APT

Vinicius Caram

Vinicius Caram

Superintendent of Grants and Resources

ANATEL Brazil

Carlos Baigorri 240

Carlos Baigorri

President

ANATEL Brazil

Ruyue-Liu 240

Ruyue Li

VP of Radio System Research and Standardization

ZTE

Mohaned Juwad 240

Mohaned Juwad

Director, Spectrum Policy

Intelsat

Tassos-Lyratzis 240

Tassos Lyratzis

Co-Chair, Subgroup for 6G Development

RSPG

Agenda

You can view the agenda in your preferred time zone by selecting it from the list below.

Day 1
2022-05-03
Day 2
2023-05-04
09:30 - 10:30
Morning Registration

Including 6G in action demos

 

10:30 - 11:30
Keynote Presentations
Keynote Presentations image
Philip Marnick
General Director, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority - Kingdom of Bahrain
Keynote Presentations image
Konstantinos Masselos
Chair, BEREC
Keynote Presentations image
Stuart Cooke
Chair, GSA
Keynote Presentations image
Other Speakers tbc
11:10 - 11:30
Setting the Scene – Moving beyond 5G: What will the road to 6G look like?
11:30 - 12:35
Session 1: 6G vision and requirements – have we reached a consensus?

Work around the world has started at pace on building the 6G vision. Companies, research institutes, universities and Governments are coming forward with early visions and research on future 6G technologies and requirements. Key drivers, applications and use cases are being identified – mobile broadband extension, extended reality (XR) and holographic communications, the internet of senses, massive digital twin and more. However, there is a growing view that we should be taking a different approach to previous generations and that it should be outcome-led rather than technology-led, with societal and global challenges central to the overall 6G vision. This session will look at the early progress that is being made around the world on 6G development. It will look at what ultimately we are trying to achieve with 6G and explore whether we are yet at the stage that a consensus has been reached both on this vision for 6G and also on the path that needs to be taken in order to deliver it. 

 

  • What are we trying to achieve with 6G and how can we get there? 
  • What are likely to be the key drivers and early use cases? 
  • How can it be ensured that key societal challenges such as pandemic control, reduction of poverty and inequality, climate change and sustainable economic growth are kept at the heart of 6G development? 
  • To what extent are the early visions and goals of 6G actually likely to be achievable? 
  • How will 6G differ from 5G-Advanced? 
  • Will the path from 5G to 6G be a revolution or an evolution? 
  • What will be the key indicators that will demonstrate a switch to a new ‘G’, and that we are not just seeing a natural evolution of existing technologies?
  • What opportunities can 6G provide to improve on 5G and today’s national wireless infrastructures? 
  • A traditional driver for mobile technology generational change has been the push towards ever increasing data speeds. Should this still be the goal for 6G or should we be looking at a different approach? 
  • Has a consensus on the overall vision and requirements of 6G been reached?

 

Session 1: 6G vision and requirements – have we reached a consensus? image
Moderator: Johann Adjovi
Partner, Analysys Mason
Session 1: 6G vision and requirements – have we reached a consensus? image
Peter Stuckmann
Executive Director, EU Comission
Session 1: 6G vision and requirements – have we reached a consensus? image
Isabelle Mauro
General Director, GSOA
Session 1: 6G vision and requirements – have we reached a consensus? image
Aileen Chia (tbc)
Deputy Chief Executive and Director General, IMDA
Session 1: 6G vision and requirements – have we reached a consensus? image
Representative, Mobile Industry (tbc)
12:35 - 13:30
Lunch

Including 6G in action demos

 

 

13:30 - 14:35
Session 2: Pre-standards research and co-ordination – can a single, unified global 6G standard be achieved?

The pre-standards research is crucial in moulding the overall shape of any future technology and paving the way for what it is hoped will be a single, unified global standard. This is very much the case with 6G, but concerns are emerging that geopolitical challenges are leading to countries not working as closely together as they could be to agree upon key technical standards on frequencies, signal modulations and waveforms. If this is the case then it could mean that a split is seen, with different versions of 6G developing in a similar way that was seen with 3G and earlier generations. This session will look at how 6G standards may differ from those that are seen today, and will explore the early research that is taking place around the world. It will look at the level of international coordination that is being seen and explore whether the delivery of a single global standard for 6G can still be a realistic aim, and at what the impact may be if this is not achieved and a split emerges. 

 

  • What progress has been made to date on the development of 6G standards and what expected timelines are ahead? 
  • What coordination has been seen to date between countries, standards bodies and academic organisations working together to set out on the path towards the creation of international standards for 6G? 
  • How does the level of co-ordination compare with the cooperation that was seen in the early days of 5G research? 
  • To what extent are geopolitical challenges affecting the coordination that is being seen, and how can these be overcome?
  • What type of standards may be required for 6G technologies, and how may these differ from standards that we currently see today? 
  • What impact could the emergence of AI and machine learning have on future standards? – What effect could the emergence of Open-RAN technologies have on the equipment market beyond 5G, and on standards more broadly? 
  • Is it going to be possible to deliver a single, unified global standard for 6G, or is a split (similar to we saw with 3G and earlier generations) a more likely scenario? What would the impact be if 6G did see a split in this way? 

 

David Boswarthick
Director of New Technologies, ETSI
Session 2: Pre-standards research and co-ordination – can a single, unified global 6G standard be achieved? image
Chih-Lin I
Chief Scientist, China Mobile
Session 2: Pre-standards research and co-ordination – can a single, unified global 6G standard be achieved? image
Vinicius Caram
Superintendent of Grants and Resources, ANATEL Brazil
Session 2: Pre-standards research and co-ordination – can a single, unified global 6G standard be achieved? image
Alex Choi
Chairman, O-RAN Alliance
Session 2: Pre-standards research and co-ordination – can a single, unified global 6G standard be achieved? image
Ulrich Dropmann
Head of Standardization and Industry Environment, Nokia
14:35 - 15:40
Session 3: The economics of 6G – ensuring successful business models and commercialization

The arrival of 5G was met with a great deal of excitement about the potential new revenue streams and market opportunities that it would facilitate. In reality however, this promise is still yet to be met, and to date there have been significant challenges in delivering a viable business model to recoup the huge initial investment that was required. As we now move towards 6G and with companies already starting to vie for a share of this lucrative new market, this session will look at the lessons that can be taken from 5G and the best way forward to deliver the successful commercialization of 6G. With billions of dollars set to be spent to get to 6G, it will discuss the importance of ensuring that networks are rolled out in the most economically feasible way possible, and the path that needs to be taken to establish a viable 6G business case to recoup this investment. Focussing more broadly on the impact that 6G could have on the telecoms market as a whole, it will explore how business models will evolve, at how value chains are likely to be restructured and at some of the potential new players and strategic alliances that may emerge. 

 

  • What early estimates are emerging on the expected cost of deployment and maintenance of 6G networks? 
  • How will these costs be distributed amongst different stakeholders – carriers, infrastructure providers, end users etc., and how can it be ensured that they are recouped?
  • How can it be ensured that cost efficiencies are central to 6G planning and rollout right from the start, and what tools and technologies can help to reduce the cost of 6G deployment?
  • How is 6G likely to impact the profitability of operators and CSPs in the short and long term?
  • What promise does 6G offer for revenue growth, and what will be the most important factor in building the 6G business case and ensuring successful commericalisation? 
  • What key steps do CSPs need to take to develop their networks to enable sustainable and successful business models for themselves and their customers? 
  • What impact could the emergence of 6G have on the overall telecommunications market? How are value chains likely to be restructured and what potential new players and strategic alliances may emerge? 
  • How can both new and existing companies ensure that they are in the best possible position to take advantage of new opportunities and markets that 6G brings?

 

 

Session 3: The economics of 6G – ensuring successful business models and commercialization image
Wassim Jarkas
Senior Director Technology Operations, STC Bahrain
Session 3: The economics of 6G – ensuring successful business models and commercialization image
Marja Matinmikko-Blue
Research Director, University of Oulu
Session 3: The economics of 6G – ensuring successful business models and commercialization image
Other Speakers tbc
15:40 - 16:05
Refreshments

 

 

16:05 - 17:10
Session 4: Securing the Future: Cyber Security in the 6G Era

New technologies almost always bring with them new threats which must be tackled alongside existing threats relating to current technologies, and 6G is no different. 6G networks will have a significantly larger attack surface than previous generations, with any one of tens of billions of connected devices a potential gateway to cyber-attacks. Given this, research into the enhancement of cybersecurity has quickly become a priority in early work that is being done on 6G, with a shift being seen away from the current approach of reactionarily developing solutions for security threats, to instead the concept of ‘cybersecurity by design’, and ensuring that cybersecurity is built into 6G-capable devices from the start. This session will look at what this means in practice, as well as discussing more broadly the new cyber security challenges and vulnerabilities that are expected to emerge with 6G and the early research work that is being done to develop a strategy to tackle these and secure the 6G future.

 

  • What new cybersecurity challenges is 6G expected to bring and how will these differ from those experienced with 5G?
  • What specific vulnerabilities are likely to emerge in the highly interconnected and immersive 6G environment? How will network security have to evolve to keep pace with these?
  • What will ‘security by design’ look like in practice and to what extent can it address vulnerabilities and cybersecurity challenges we move into a 6G world?
  • What specific security challenges could be raised by the introduction of OpenRAN style architecture and how can these be addressed?
  • How can policymakers, connectivity providers and other key stakeholders around the world work together to tackle the new security challenges related to 6G and secure the entire 6G supply chain?
  • How can the power of emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning and blockchain best be harnessed to help to develop cyber-resilient 6G networks?
  • Is the goal of an autonomous, self-protecting network with the ability to respond independently to potential threats a realistic ambition?
Session 4: Securing the Future: Cyber Security in the 6G Era image
Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa
CEO, National Cyber Security Centre - Bahrain
Session 4: Securing the Future: Cyber Security in the 6G Era image
Madhusanka Liyanage
Ad Astra Fellow - University College Dublin, Expert Consultant - ENISA
Session 4: Securing the Future: Cyber Security in the 6G Era image
Soumaya Cherkaoui
Full Professor, Polytechnique Montreal
Session 4: Securing the Future: Cyber Security in the 6G Era image
Representative, Mobile Vendor or Operator
10:30 - 10:50
Keynote Presentation – delivering the IMT-2030 vision
Keynote Presentation – delivering the IMT-2030 vision image
Mario Maniewicz
Director, ITU
10:50 - 11:55
Session 5: Building a more sustainable future with 6G

5G has enabled us to make big gains in sustainability, but this was somewhat of a welcome by product of the technology rather than the initial aim, with the primary focus always very much on optimising performance. 6G is different – sustainability is being seen as a key driver for the technology right from the start, and for the first time ever, there is the opportunity to design and build an ecosystem with sustainability at is centre. A number of ambitious energy efficiency targets are being set both in terms of directly reducing the carbon footprint of 6G networks, and also through the broader enabling impact of 6G to reduce the carbon footprint of industries and human activities. This session will explore the key relationship between 6G and sustainability from both angles. It will look at the work that is being done to ensure 6G networks are designed and built in the most energy efficient way possible; and crucially, explore the potential that 6G and the new use cases that it will enable can have in playing a role in helping to meet the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and tackling some of the biggest challenges that we face today.

 

  • How can it be ensured that sustainability remains central to the development of 6G? What specific sustainability targets and goals should 6G be looking to achieve?
  • How will the way in which 6G networks are build have to differ from previous generations in order to minimise their environmental footprint whilst also optimising performance?
  • How are technology advancements, energy-saving solutions and intelligent management already being applied to reduce energy consumption of networks and how can the emergence of 6G further continue this welcome trend?
  • What impact can 6G have on driving sustainability in key industries such as transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, energy and more?
  • What role can 6G and future connectivity technologies help to meet the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals?
  • Which of the goals and targets can future connectivity systems have most of an impact on meeting?
  • How can the scientific, policy, regulatory and business communities come together to maximise the potential of technology to help to tackle some of the World’s biggest challenges?
  • How can it be ensured that 6G benefits developing countries and societies as well as those more developed regions?
Session 5: Building a more sustainable future with 6G image
Lacina Kone
Director General, SMART Africa
Session 5: Building a more sustainable future with 6G image
Belal Al-Hafnawi
Commissioner, TRC Jordan
Session 5: Building a more sustainable future with 6G image
Mikko Uusitalo
Project Lead, Nokia
Session 5: Building a more sustainable future with 6G image
Representative, Satellite (tbc)
Session 5: Building a more sustainable future with 6G image
Representative, Mobile Vendors (tbc)
11:55 - 13:00
Session 6: New era, new architecture – Will 6G finally see the emergence of a fully converged ‘network of networks’?

A key goal of 6G is to deliver ubiquitous, seamless and cost-effective connectivity that is not limited by the black-spots in coverage that are seen with 5G and previous generations of cellular networks. Achieving this and delivering the advanced connectivity that will be required to support the metaverse and other future use cases will not be possible with a single ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, and will instead require multiple connectivity technologies coming together. This session will explore how the relationship between different technologies such as cellular, WiFi and NTNs will evolve as we move towards 6G. It will discuss the extent to which we may finally see the emergence of a fully integrated ‘network of networks’, and if so then what this might look like in practice and the impact it may on have on the regulatory environment.
 

  • How may the relationship between different terrestrial and non-terrestrial network providers evolve as we move towards 6G?
  • Are we likely to see a convergence of different technologies and the realisation of a true ‘network of networks’ with many access technologies coming together to enable ubiquitous coverage across the globe?
  • What impact could this have on spectrum allocation and licencing and what needs to be done to ensure that 6G architectures are developed with sufficient flexibility to enable easy integration of different technologies?
  • What role will different non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) such as remote satellite communications, low orbit satellites, or unmanned aerial systems play as part of 6G network deployment?
  • What trends are already emerging with the development of hybrid networks such as direct-to-device satellite connectivity? What regulatory and technical challenges are these providing, and to what extent may the regulatory environment have to adapt in order for their full potential to be reached?
  • To what extent are we likely to see closer integration of WiFi and cellular technologies in order to deliver a seamless network and to support the needs of the metaverse and other future use cases and technologies?

 

Session 6: New era, new architecture – Will 6G finally see the emergence of a fully converged ‘network of networks’? image
Jungsoo Jung
Principal Engineer, Samsung Research
Session 6: New era, new architecture – Will 6G finally see the emergence of a fully converged ‘network of networks’? image
Richard Moore
Principal Spectrum Policy Advisor, Ofcom
Session 6: New era, new architecture – Will 6G finally see the emergence of a fully converged ‘network of networks’? image
Representative, GSOA (confirmed – speaker name tbc)
Session 6: New era, new architecture – Will 6G finally see the emergence of a fully converged ‘network of networks’? image
Other Speakers tbc
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch

Including 6G in action demos

 

14:00 - 15:05
Session 7: Delivering the required connectivity for initial 6G rollout – what options could the 7GHz – 24 GHz bands offer?

Discussions have already very much begun on the key spectrum bands to provide the required connectivity for the initial rollout of 6G. Given the difficulties in identifying additional spectrum in existing ‘mid-band’ frequencies and the fact that rolling out networks in mmWave frequencies has been more challenging than was initially hoped, mobile operators are moving their attention to spectrum in the 7-15 GHz range or up to 22 GHz and even 24 GHz (depending on who you speak to) in order to find the bandwidth to support the launch and rollout of 6G. Spectrum in this range is already very intensively used however by a number of key groups – satellite, commercial radar, fixed links services and more. This session will explore the future of these key frequencies and assess the potential that they could offer in providing large contiguous bandwidth for 6G. It will look at what the possible impact of this would be on existing users in the band, and whether it may be possible to find a ‘win-win’ solution that is to the benefit of all.
 

  • What usage around the world is currently seen across the 7GHz – 24GHz frequencies and by which different services and users?
  • Discussions across the world vary between proposals to consider spectrum in the 7-15 GHz or up to 22 GHz and even 24 GHz for 6G. Where are these differences coming from and which is the better approach?
  • Given the variations in usage that is seen across different regions, where should the balance lie between looking for a harmonised approach and taking account of national and regional differences when discussing this issue?
  • What factors have lead the mobile industry to target spectrum within this range?
  • How much spectrum across these bands are they saying is needed for 6G, and which are the most likely candidate frequencies that will be targeted?
  • Are there other options outside the scope of this frequency range that could also be considered to deliver the required bandwidth for the rollout of 6G?
  • Could a ‘win-win’ approach be found across any frequencies in the range that allows the introduction of 6G without causing any disruption to existing services? If so, how could this work in practice?
  • What scope could there be to achieve this objective through spectrum sharing, and what sharing models could be considered as an option to do this?
  • What arguments are being put forward for and against the option to add this issue to the agenda items for WRC-27?
  • If 6G is to move into frequencies in this range then how can any disruption to existing users be minimised? How could the cost of any possible relocation of services that is required be met?
Session 7: Delivering the required connectivity for initial 6G rollout – what options could the 7GHz – 24 GHz bands offer? image
Moderator: Cameron Currin
Manager, Aetha Consulting
Session 7: Delivering the required connectivity for initial 6G rollout – what options could the 7GHz – 24 GHz bands offer? image
Mohaned Juwad
Director Spectrum Policy, Intelsat
Session 7: Delivering the required connectivity for initial 6G rollout – what options could the 7GHz – 24 GHz bands offer? image
Eliane Semaan
Director Spectrum and Technology regulation, Ericsson
Session 7: Delivering the required connectivity for initial 6G rollout – what options could the 7GHz – 24 GHz bands offer? image
Tassos Lyratzis
Director, Spectrum Division, EETT
Session 7: Delivering the required connectivity for initial 6G rollout – what options could the 7GHz – 24 GHz bands offer? image
Tariq Al Awadhi
Chairman, ASMG
Session 7: Delivering the required connectivity for initial 6G rollout – what options could the 7GHz – 24 GHz bands offer? image
Representative, GSMA (confirmed – speaker name tbc)
15:05 - 16:10
Session 8: Challenges and opportunities of high frequency mmWave and terahertz bands for 6G

The high capacity and ultrafast speeds of mmWave spectrum meant that it was initially expected to be a key frequency range for 5G. Technical propagation challenges however have meant that the focus for initial rollout has been seen in the lower mid-band frequencies. A similar pattern has initially started to emerge with terahertz frequencies for 6G – initially touted as the key frequency range, it is now being referred to as the 6G ‘complementary’ spectrum, with attention instead switching to lower frequencies in the 7GHz to 24GHz ranges. This session will look at the technical challenges associated with rolling out networks in these high frequency ranges that need to be overcome in order for the huge potential that they offer to be fully realised. Considering both 6G technologies and other key users in the band, it will look at the long-term ecosystem in the high range frequencies that can be expected in 2030 and beyond.
 

  • What issues and challenges are being seen with rollout of networks in mmWave frequencies, and how might these reflect as we move on to study the use of even higher frequencies across terahertz bands?
  • What should be the ultimate goal for the use of mmWave and terahertz frequencies for IMT services?
  • Will widespread mobile broadband rollout ever be seen in these bands or more specialised and for niche use cases? If so, then which use cases offer the greatest potential in both indoor and outdoor environments?
  • How do any future 6G services fit with existing and other new services in the bands?
  • With attention expected to switch to terahertz frequencies as we move towards 6G, what lessons can be learnt from experiences with mmWave bands to enable services to be rolled out in these bands as smoothly as possible?
  • What role can regulators around the world play in helping to provide an environment that enables the potential of these key bands to be realised?
  • What different approaches to licencing in the bands are being put forward, and what are the various pros and cons of each?
Session 8: Challenges and opportunities of high frequency mmWave and terahertz bands for 6G image
Speakers in this session to be confirmed shortly
16:10 - 16:35
Refreshments

Including 6G in action demos

 

16:35 - 17:40
Session 9: Spectrum sharing and coexistence in a 6G world

As we move towards 6G, the ever-increasing demand for the limited bandwidth that is available will mean that a rethink may be necessary in terms of how spectrum bands are licensed, accessed and allocated. There will be a need to use spectrum as efficiently as possible and with 6G also likely requiring large contiguous bandwidth which are becoming increasing difficult to find, it is very likely spectrum sharing will be an important part of the equation. This session will explore the likely evolution of spectrum sharing as we move towards 6G, and the role that shared spectrum will need to play in order to meet future connectivity needs.
 

  • How may spectrum management regimes and frameworks in 2030 differ from those that are seen today?
  • What innovative new licencing models are emerging around the world and how could these continue to evolve as we move towards 6G?
  • How may the split between spectrum allocated on an exclusively licensed, unlicenced and shared basis change?
  • How can it be ensured that spectrum policies are delivered that support the overarching objectives of 6G?
  • What technical and regulatory challenges will need to be overcome in order to maximise the potential that spectrum sharing can play in delivering the 6G ecosystem?
  • What role are static, semi-static and dynamic sharing models likely to play in the future 6G spectrum ecosystem? How can it be ensured that efficiency in each case is maximised and that the available spectrum offers a similar performance for 6G services and other users in a shared environment as it does in an exclusively licensed scenario?
  • What lessons can be taken from existing models of sharing that have been seen and how can these be transferred into future 6G ecosystems?
  • How could new technologies such as AI, mobile edge computing and blockchain start to disrupt traditional spectrum management systems and what impact could this have on increasing the feasibility and efficiency of sharing?

 

Session 9: Spectrum sharing and coexistence in a 6G world image
Speakers in this session to be confirmed shortly
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Event Background

The inaugural 6G Global Summit took place in 2022 as a fully virtual event. We look forward to introducing an in-person element for the 2023 edition. 

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Contact

For more information on any aspect of this event, please contact Joshua Robson using any of the following details:

Joshua Robson, Event Executive, Forum Global

Tel: +44 (0) 2920 783 026

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