January 14, 2025

Last May NTIA launched a request for comment (RFC) on how U.S. government policies can support the development of next-generation commercial wireless “6G” technology. In this post, we discuss NTIA’s work on 6G and the overarching themes included in the comments received in response to the RFC.

U.S. economic competitiveness and national security depends on access to secure and reliable communications networks, and the technologies driving those networks continue to evolve rapidly. While the characteristics that will distinguish 6G are still being defined in standards, industry is well on its way to envisioning 6G’s transformative potential and its ability to improve on 5G performance, support new use cases, and leverage intelligent edge services.

That’s why NTIA viewed this as an ideal moment to seek feedback from the public. In total, NTIA received 43 responses, which are available on the NTIA website.

NTIA’s Work on 6G

NTIA has been actively involved in supporting the development of 6G technology that works for U.S. consumers and innovators. In 2023, NTIA received a report from the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (CSMAC) that outlined a vision for 6G. This report emphasized dynamic connectivity, intelligent communications, and advancements in public safety, security, and digital equity. Additionally, NTIA continues to advance the 2023 National Spectrum Strategy in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and our other federal agency partners to align spectrum policies with next-generation wireless goals. NTIA also works to ensure U.S. leadership in global 6G standards and innovation.

NTIA prioritizes engagement with industry stakeholders and across the U.S. Government to promote open, interoperable, secure, and reliable approaches to this next generation technology. Even as 5G continues to be deployed, the shift toward 6G is fast approaching. NTIA is working to ensure that ongoing 5G deployments and future 6G deployments continue to incorporate openness, interoperability, security, and reliability.

In February 2024, the United States and nine other major governments jointly issued a statement outlining a global vision for 6G that is secure, open, and resilient by design. This joint statement will help guide international research and development agendas in the years to come.

To spur wireless innovation in the United States, NTIA promotes publicly supported R&D that advances the leading edge of wireless technology, empowers the private sector to bring exciting new technologies to market, and provides thoughtful policy in key areas such as international regulation and standards, spectrum harmonization, and incentives for investment. NTIA will continue our cooperative approach with our international partners as well as between public and private sector to pave the way for 6G utilizing the comments received via the 6G RFC process to inform the U.S. Government’s 6G policy.

6G RFC

A diverse group of stakeholders including private companies, universities, industry associations, and public interest groups responded to NTIA's request for comments on 6G development. Each focused on various aspects of the 6G ecosystem.

Private companies emphasized spectrum policy, open networks, AI-driven networks, global standards leadership, and infrastructure deployment. The companies highlighted the need for effective spectrum management, including through dynamic spectrum sharing models, and advocated for expanded mid- and high-band spectrum availability. They also supported public-private partnerships for R&D in AI, quantum communications, and Open RAN. Some telecom companies focused on the importance of exclusive-licensed spectrum to the transition from 5G to 6G, while highly specialized tech companies stressed the importance of AI integration and energy-efficient designs for 6G networks.

Academic institutions contributed by focusing on research and innovation in areas like non-terrestrial networks, AI, and quantum-safe encryption. They also emphasized workforce development, advocating for more educational programs and industry partnerships to train the next generation of engineers in wireless technologies.

Industry associations that responded to the RFC advocated for streamlined infrastructure deployment and permitting processes, especially for small cells and rural broadband. They also emphasized the importance of open standards, such as Open RAN, to foster competition and reduce reliance on proprietary systems.

Finally, public interest groups concentrated on digital inclusion, affordable spectrum access, and prioritizing rural and underserved communities in 6G development.

Key Themes from the 6G RFC Comments

Responses to NTIA's RFC on 6G development highlighted the necessity for AI-native networks, flexible spectrum management, robust security and privacy frameworks, sustainable network designs, collaborative partnerships, and equitable access to ensure 6G technologies benefit all sectors and communities. The comments underscored the need for a comprehensive, adaptable governance framework that balances innovation, security, and equity, while ensuring the United States retains global leadership in 6G.

In the RFC, NTIA identified topics such as network architecture and regulatory approaches as areas requiring additional consideration. Comments received on these topics revolved around balancing innovation, regulation, and equity. Comments reflected differing views including approaches to spectrum allocation (exclusive-licensed vs. shared), the role of Open RAN, government intervention versus market-driven solutions, and strategies for future infrastructure development. These perspectives underscore the need for a nuanced approach to 6G development that supports both industry innovation and the public interest. Comments also identified convergence across multiple access technologies as a potential 6G differentiator. Within the general theme of convergence, comments noted the importance of embracing both terrestrial and space-based communications at the outset of 6G standards development to ensure ubiquitous, resilient, and reliable next-generation connectivity.

The recommendations included in the comments highlight the importance of collaborative governance across sectors and government levels, focusing on digital inclusion, sustainability, and equitable access to 6G technologies. Additional areas of focus might include policy coordination across federal, state, and local entities, cross-sector collaboration, and international partnerships to ensure a smooth 6G rollout. By addressing the identified gaps and fostering collaboration, the United States can position itself as a global leader in 6G, promoting innovation, security, and equity in deploying next-generation technologies.

Next Steps

-NTIA and many of those who responded to NTIA’s RFC view network virtualization, convergence, and openness as key aspects of 6G. These aspects could significantly expand our wireless capabilities by:

-Maximizing the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning throughout the network stack.

-Facilitating ubiquitous coverage, including the most hard-to-reach areas, and providing the user with a seamless connectivity experience.

-Reducing power consumption and increased energy efficiency.

-Delivering the connectivity needed to support emerging use cases such as advanced manufacturing and driverless vehicles.

Looking forward to 2025 and beyond, NTIA will ensure that the basic principles of openness, security, and resiliency, in line with the aforementioned “Joint Statement Endorsing Principles for 6G: Secure, Open, and Resilient by Design,” are incorporated into our new initiatives. From the comments received, it is clear that there is a strong need for a nuanced approach to 6G development and deployment that supports industry innovation and the public interest. NTIA is committed to ensuring that our policy work consistently takes industry and academia and other stakeholder perspectives into consideration.

Whatsapp