6G Global Summit 2024

Event Overview

The 6G Global Summit was held on 21 – 22 May as a hybrid event, hosted by Ofcom UK at the Pullman St Pancras in London and online via our virtual platform.

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 brought 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 were 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. This was an opportunity to join key global leaders, and be part of shaping a better future with 6G.

Shaping the 6G reality

The potential of 6G alongside emerging technologies

Securing the required funding and investment for 6G

6G, NTNs and the Evolving Connectivity Ecosystem

The 6G Spectrum Roadmap – key bands and strategies

Spectrum allocation in the 6G era: time for a re-think?

Delivering safe, secure and resilient 6G networks

Ensuring a sustainable future for (and with) 6G

Catch up with this year's event

Re-watch this year’s sessions, or check out the highlights video of this year’s event below.

Session Replays

Re-watch the sessions from the 2024 event by clicking on this box

Read the event recap, and watch the highlights

Click here and for a recap of what happened in 2024

Organisers and Partners

Organised by

Forum Global

Hosted by

Ofcom Logo

Supported by

ITU

Platinum Partners

Analysys-Mason.png
Ericsson.png
GSA
GSMA new logo to use
GSOA
Huawei website
Intelsat
Nokia New 2023
Qualcomm
wwrf.jpg

Knowledge Partners

Aetha 2021 logo
NERA logo 350x194

Event Partners

ETSI

Exhibitor

Reason

Speakers Included

Julia Lopez 240

Julia
Lopez MP

Minister of State

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

David Willis 240

David
Willis

Group Director, Spectrum

Ofcom

Mario Maniewicz 240x240

Mario Maniewicz

Director, Radiocommunication Bureau

ITU

Philip Marnick 240

Philip
Marnick

General
Director

Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, Bahrain

Charles Cooper 240

Charles
Cooper

Associate Administrator

NTIA

Erzsébet Fitori

Erzsébet
Fitori

Executive Director, Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking

European Commission

Artur Coimbra

Artur
Coimbra

Commissioner

ANATEL Brazil

Anil Lahoti 240

Anil
Kumar Lahoti

Chairman

TRAI India

Isabelle Mauro

Isabelle
Mauro

General
Director

GSOA

Robert Mourik 240

Robert
Mourik

Chairperson & Commissioner

ComReg Ireland

Konstantinos Masselos 240

Konstantinos Masselos

President

Hellenic Telecommunications & Post Commission (EETT)

Dimitra Simeonidou 240

Dimitra Simeonidou

Co-Director of the Bristol Digital Futures Institute and Director of the Smart Internet Lab

University of Bristol

Simon Fletcher 240

Simon
Fletcher

Board Member

WWRF

Katrin Sjoberg

Katrin
Sjöberg

Technical Advisor

Volvo

Matthew Baker 240

Matthew
Baker

Head of 3GPP Standardization

Nokia

David_Boswarthick._240-removebg-preview

David Boswarthick

Director of New Technologies

ETSI

MarjaMatinmikko-Blue240

Marja
Matinmikko-Blue

Director of Sustainability and Regulation of 6G Flagship

University of Oulu

Eric-Fournier 240

Eric
Fournier

Director for Spectrum Planning and International Affairs

ANFR France

Erika Tejedor 240

Erika
Royo Tejedor

Director, Government and Policy Advocacy

Ericsson

Adrian Scrase 240

Adrian
Scrase

Visiting Professor

University of Surrey

Cristina_Data_240-removebg-preview

Cristina
Data

Director, Spectrum Policy and Analysis

Ofcom

Takehiro Nakamura 240

Takehiro
Nakamura

CSO

NTT Docomo

Mike Short 240

Mike
Short

Chief Architect

SA Catapult

Janette Stewart 240

Janette
Stewart

Partner

Analysys Mason

Peng Zhao

Peng
Zhao

Vice President, Policy and Regulatory

GSOA

Luigi-Ardito-240

Luigi
Ardito

Senior Director of Government Affairs EMEA

Qualcomm

Ross Bateson 1

Ross
Bateson

Special Advisor, Spectrum

GSMA

Yoko Nakata 240

Yoko
Nakata

Deputy Director, Global Strategy Division, Global Strategy Bureau

MIC Japan

Marc Eschenburg 240

Marc
Eschenburg

Partner

Aetha Consulting

Madhusanka Liyanage 240

Madhusanka
Liyanage

Ad Astra Fellow, University College Dublin, Ireland; Funded Investigator, Connect Centre, Ireland; Expert Consultant ENISA

European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA)

Tim O'Farrell 240

Timothy
O'Farrell

Chair in Wireless Communication

University of Sheffield

Naima Hassan Dimbil 240

Naima
Hassan Dimbil

Director of Interconnection, Wholesale, and Universal Access

NCA Somalia

Richard Marsden 240

Richard
Marsden

Managing Director

NERA

Mikko Uusitalo

Mikko Uusitalo

Head of Research Department

Nokia Bell Labs, Hexa-X-II

richard moore 240

Richard Moore

Principal Spectrum Policy Advisor

Ofcom

Stuart Cooke.jpeg

Stuart Cooke

Chair

GSA

Alex Choi

Alex Choi

Chairman

O-Ran Alliance

Chih-Lin I

Chih-Lin I

Chief
Scientist

China Mobile
Research Institute

Agenda

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

Agenda times are shown in British Summer Time.

Day 1
2024-05-21
Day 2
2024-05-22
09:30 - 10:45
Session 1: Keynote Presentations
Session 1: Keynote Presentations image
Moderator: Janette Stewart
Partner, Analysys Mason
Session 1: Keynote Presentations image
David Willis
Group Director, Spectrum, Ofcom
Session 1: Keynote Presentations image
Philip Marnick
General Director, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority - Kingdom of Bahrain
Session 1: Keynote Presentations image
Anil Kumar Lahoti
Chairman, TRAI India
Session 1: Keynote Presentations image
Erzsébet Fitori
Executive Director, Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking, European Commission
Session 1: Keynote Presentations image
Charles Cooper
Associate Administrator, NTIA
10:45 - 11:10
Refreshment Break
Session 2: Shaping the 6G reality – what are we trying to achieve?

Work on laying the groundwork for 6G is continuing at pace. The last 12 months has seen the emergence of a number of 6G ‘visions’ at both regional and national levels, and also globally through ITU’s IMT-2030 framework. As we move closer to a 6G reality, this session will look at some of these frameworks and visions that have been put forward in different regions around the world, and how these are set to shape the reality of 6G. explore whether a consensus is emerging when it comes to the shape of the 6G future and at the different elements, drivers and use-cases that will be a part of this.

 

• What progress has been made on developing the 6G vision and roadmap?
• Is it becoming clear what we trying to achieve with 6G? What is the difference between this and 5G / 5G Advanced?
• What different plans for 6G are emerging around the world and what different elements are being discussed (network performance, customer experience, reliability, sustainability etc.)?
• What similarities are being seen in these emerging visions and where are there differences? Is a consensus emerging?
• What are the key drivers of 6G from both a societal and government standpoint?
• What role will emerging new technologies such as AI and quantum computing play in shaping the 6G ecosystem? What visions for the integration of 6G with these and other enabling technologies are already emerging around the world?
• What needs to be done to overcome some of the perceived scepticism around 6G (possibly based on key objectives of 5G not yet being hit?)
• What regulatory frameworks are needed to facilitate global 6G adoption while considering evolving technologies and diverse national interests?
• How can we foster a culture of innovation and collaboration among academia, industry, and government to drive 6G research and development?

Session 2: Shaping the 6G reality – what are we trying to achieve? image
Moderator: Janette Stewart
Partner, Analysys Mason
11:10 - 11:25
Presentation: Technologies to shape the 6G reality
Presentation: Technologies to shape the 6G reality image
Matthew Baker
Head of 3GPP Standardization, Nokia
11:25 - 12:30
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion image
Moderator: Janette Stewart
Partner, Analysys Mason
Panel Discussion image
Konstantinos Masselos
Chair, BEREC
Panel Discussion image
Yoko Nakata
Deputy Director, Global Strategy Division, Global Strategy Bureau, MIC Japan
Panel Discussion image
Dimitra Simeonidou
Co-Director of the Bristol Digital Futures Institute and Director of the Smart Internet Lab, University of Bristol
Panel Discussion image
Peng Zhao
VP Policy & Regulatory, GSOA
Panel Discussion image
Matthew Baker
Head of 3GPP Standardization, Nokia
12:30 - 13:20
Lunch
13:20 - 14:20
Session 3: Taking the next steps – Moving from a 6G vision to a global 6G standard

6G envisions a world where wireless connectivity is not just ubiquitous, but also intelligent, immersive, and ultra-reliable. To translate these ambitious visions into reality, the next step now requires a rigorous standardization process, which will involve international collaboration among standard-setting bodies, industry players, research institutions and policymakers. This session will look at the work that has already begun in defining and setting these standards and in developing international collaborations that is vital in order to minimize geopolitical tensions that could lead to the emergence competing standards and technologies. With 6G expected to not just be about faster data speeds but also about fundamentally reimagining how we interact with the world around us, it will look at how standards can help to keep this human element central to 6G development, as well as other key elements such as sustainability and privacy/security. Ultimately, it will look at the best way forward to ensure the delivery of a single global standard that will ensure consistency and economy of scale in 6G rollout and enable its benefits to be felt across societies everywhere.

 

• How will 6G standards differ from 5G? What lessons can be learnt from the 5G standardisation processes and how can these be taken forward as focus switches to 6G?
• What needs to be done to overcome key geopolitical and technical obstacles in order to deliver global interoperability in 6G standardization? What work in this area has already begun?
• What role should governments and other stakeholders play in shaping 6G standards and ensuring equitable access? How can they foster collaboration between industry stakeholders and the research community?
• How can we ensure that 6G standardization addresses the needs of developing countries and bridges the digital divide?
• What are the key technical features and capabilities that should be prioritized in 6G standards?
• To what extent is shared spectrum going to play a part in delivering the 6G connectivity ecosystem? How does this element and the requirement to potentially work around existing incumbent services in bands need to be considered when developing standards?
• Is 6G the last ‘G’? What will come next? Do we need the standardisation world to continue evolving in the same way?

Session 3: Taking the next steps – Moving from a 6G vision to a global 6G standard image
Moderator: Adrian Scrase
Visiting Professor, University of Surrey
Session 3: Taking the next steps – Moving from a 6G vision to a global 6G standard image
David Boswarthick
Director of New Technologies, ETSI
Session 3: Taking the next steps – Moving from a 6G vision to a global 6G standard image
Takehiro Nakamura
CSO, NTT Docomo
Session 3: Taking the next steps – Moving from a 6G vision to a global 6G standard image
Angeliki Alexiou
Professor, Department of Digital Systems, University of Piraeus
Session 3: Taking the next steps – Moving from a 6G vision to a global 6G standard image
Ulrich Dropmann
Vice President, GSA
Session 4: A new digital revolution? Harnessing the transformative potential of 6G and other emerging technologies

The world in 2030 will undoubtably look very different to that of today. 6G alongside other emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing are evolving at a fantastic pace and are set to fundamentally change the way we live, work, and interact with the world around us. They will not only revolutionise existing industries but also create entirely new ones, blurring the lines between the physical and digital worlds. However, navigating this transformative journey requires responsible development, ethical considerations, and a focus on human-centred innovation. This session will explore the expected evolution of 6G alongside other emerging and enabling technologies and network architectures. It will explore some of the some of the innovative applications that could emerge, including immersive telepresence, hyper-connected cities, real-time remote surgery and next-generation robotics; and if we are indeed on the brink of a new digital revolution, explore the challenges and opportunities that this may bring.

 

• As 6G and other technologies develop, how can we develop governance and regulatory frameworks that ensure that the transformational potential of these technologies is delivered around the world in a responsible and ethical way?
• What transformative potential is offered across different vertical industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, smart cities, and autonomous vehicles? Are we on the brink of a new digital revolution?
• How can vertical industries get involved in the early stages of technology development in order to help shape a future connectivity ecosystem that enables them to maximise the benefits that are on offer?
• How can we develop governance and regulatory frameworks that foster innovation while addressing concerns around security, privacy, sustainability? How can it be ensured that technologies evolve in a responsible way and that ethical considerations are embedded throughout?
• What emerging use cases and innovative applications enabled by 6G are likely to have the greatest impact?
• How can vertical industries get involved in the early stages of technology development in order to help shape a future connectivity ecosystem that enables them to maximise the benefits that are on offer? How important is collaboration in order to ensure that the full potential of 6G is harnessed across different vertical sectors, and what role do different stakeholders need to play in delivering this?

14:20 - 14:35
Introductory Presentation: The transformative potential of 6G, AI, Quantum Technology and other emerging technologies
Introductory Presentation: The transformative potential of 6G, AI, Quantum Technology and other emerging technologies image
Simon Fletcher
Board Member, WWRF
14:35 - 15:35
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion image
Moderator: Simon Fletcher
Board Member, WWRF
Panel Discussion image
Katrin Sjöberg
Technical Advisor, Volvo
Panel Discussion image
Joe Butler
Chief Technology Officer, Digital Catapult
Panel Discussion image
Wen Tong
CTO, Huawei Wireless
15:35 - 16:00
Refreshment Break
16:00 - 17:00
Session 5: Funding the Future: Investment and Business Models for 6G Success

Whilst it is difficult to put an accurate figure on the costs associated with 6G rollout, best estimates suggest that globally, it will likely be in the range of tens of trillions of dollars. This is significantly higher than the cost of previous cellular technology rollouts, reflecting the complexity and ambitious goals of 6G. This session will look at the different options and potential funding sources that are available to deliver this required investment, and the approaches and funding models that are starting to emerge in different regions around the world. It will discuss the commercial opportunities that will be enabled by 6G, and the way in which stakeholders can work together to develop an environment that enables these to be realised. With mobile operators having invested billions of dollars in 5G and arguably yet to see any major impact on sales, it will look at the lessons that can be taken from this and at what needs to be done by both the private and public sectors to ensure a more sustainable investment model and ultimately to secure the required funding to deliver on the 6G vision around the world.

 

• What are the estimated costs of developing and deploying 6G networks globally and how does this compare to previous generations? What are the expected economic and social returns on investment and how can we create a compelling business case for potential financiers?
• How can collaboration between different stakeholders, like mobile operators, technology companies, and research institutions, help mitigate financial risks and foster innovation?
• What needs to be done in order to secure the necessary funding and investment and what sources could this come from?
• What lessons can we learn from past successes and failures in financing previous generations of mobile networks, both from the private and public sectors?
• With mobile operators having invested billions of dollars in 5G and arguably yet to see any major impact on sales, how can a more sustainable investment model be developed for 6G?
• How many networks will a country need in a 6G era? With MNOs under intense pressure to invest more in networks even though revenues have been flat, should regulators still be promoting 3-4 wholesale operators, or consider championing a smaller number?
• How can technology providers ensure that they are building flexible and resilient solutions and long lasting and sustainable business models?
• Given the current economic climate, are there specific challenges to securing investment for 6G compared to past advancements?
• To what extent will there be a need for Government funding, particularly in rural areas and to ensure the ubiquitous nature of 6G? If this is the case then what is the best way to deploy subsidies to support efficient rollout of new networks and ensure cost-effective access?
• What potential exists for alternative funding models, like public-private partnerships or crowd-sourcing?

Session 5: Funding the Future: Investment and Business Models for 6G Success image
Moderator: Marc Eschenburg
Partner, Aetha Consulting
Session 5: Funding the Future: Investment and Business Models for 6G Success image
Robert Mourik