I think #6G will need a complete rework of the idea of localised roaming and network interconnect. There will be multiple scenarios and greater frequency of devices switching to alternative networks from an MNO, or connecting to other users locally. This fits the #6Greset concept. There are two sets of scenarios, with some overlap: 1) User switches to (or combines) a local network, for improvements in coverage, performance, cost, energy use or privacy 2) User connects to another user or resource locally "at the edge" without traffic going via a distant point. This improves latency, congestion, coverage etc as well. Some use-cases and scenarios: - Local roaming & federation onto indoor #WiFi for better coverage, lower energy consumption and (often) reduced latency to cloud-based applications - Local interconnect with 3rd party networks such as #neutralhost for urban densification, remote / rural and indoors - Both roaming and local interconnect between public and private #5G / 6G networks at a site - for instance for IoT devices moving outdoors from indoors - Local breakout or local interconnect between two different MNO networks, for instance for low-latency communications or gaming between two users at the same venue - Direct device-to-device (or "sidelink") connectivity, for instance for sending files and images/video locally in a similar fashion to AirDrop or casting to a TV. Also for public safety and #V2X at longer ranges - Direct peering (and perhaps radio coordination) between Wi-Fi networks, or between #private5G networks - either locally or as federations - Extending a device's Wi-Fi hotspot capability to offering a 5G / 6G local hotspot in unlicensed spectrum - Localised use of satellite or HAPs connections in particular regions (eg small dead zones) - Various proximity-sensing and positioning use-cases - Alternative local technologies such as Bluetooth, UWB, light - even USB cables - Links to #edgecomputing, #NetworkAPIs and AI A lot of different things will get blended into each other here. Arguably this is actually multiple categories, with a plethora of standards involved. But what I'm seeing is a "superset" of localised network events. There's no real parallel in #5G. That has lots of architectural and regulatory implications. Are any of these things billable? Does lawful intercept apply, and if so where and how? Is the 3GPP core involved, and if so, for control or user planes, or both? What about shared #OpenRAN CU & DUs? What happens if there's a conflict between (say) energy efficiency and privacy, or coverage vs. regulatory control? How much is driven by device or OS connection managers, vs the network(s)? Will there be huge volumes of signalling? This is outside traditional #mobile & IMT / #5G thinking. Some 6G visions talk about Network of Networks - this is what it implies, I believe. ⏰ This will be covered at my Nov 28th "6G For The Real World" workshop Early Bird ends this week - see Eventbrite link in comments⏰
Peter Smyth
2w
Don’t we already have most of this? Why is this a 6GReset? My iPhone 15 connects to mobile, wifi and satellites. In our IET book, 6G evolution or revolution we explain that the satellite service could be extends to broadband with LEO by terminal vendors globally. Community WiFi or BT Fon in UK allows use wide use of WiFi APs. The authentication is done within the device using 1X. In the BT case over a 1M APs with premium hotspots. Fon does or used to extend community WiFi abroad. iPhones support dual SIM. So why is this 6G per se?
Is this a sort of improvement and enlargement of GSMA Federation concept?
Graham Payne
1w
Thought provoking once again Dean Bubley. With all that flexibility and seamless connectivity the headache I struggle with is how do you ensure the best service is selected? At present devices are guided by both the device and networks on which order and preference they should make. This regardless of capacity on either the radio or backhaul transport networks. So, even now you often get put onto a latest "G" network on 1 bar and service is un-usable. The device often goes I have Wifi and so that must be best for data - rarely in a public space in my experience is that the case! Luckily I know how to force my device onto what is likely to be the best "end to end service" - subject to it being available that is. Too often still I have no signal at all! If 6G can select based on best service that would be fab... I suspect in reality that is incredibly difficult to achieve. Even then 6G (as well as all G's to date) still need coverage to be provided in all those not spots - in tunnels (railway and tube), clean (good quality radio) signal in dense urban areas, large buildings that act like faraday cages and of course rural (satellite must be the solution for 100% geographic coverage to me). As an industry we still have much to do!
I broadly agree Dean Bubley with your views on roaming, interconnect and the O-RAN opportunity... Cross network roaming, adds utility while also reducing the cost of providing services to regions where population are sparse (read: profitable customers exist), compared to overlapping (or not providing) MNO services ... to me, the prerequisite for such a change is not technical... but commercial. To achieve this 6G would need to define a COMMERCIAL STACK equivalent to the 7 layer ISO stack on which our network technologies are built. William Webb et al ... do you think this is this a challenge that the telecoms industry can meet and, ideally, draw Satellite / NTN operators into??
I think the industry needs to find a way to finally make just a little bit of money from 5G, first.
Kevin Holley
2w
Pipe dream I am afraid.
I think this is spot on. I also think all these things are happening whether #6G embraces them or not. The only choice we have is whether we proactively choose to participate and steer our direction into making this easier at scale, or we hold onto what exists and see it’s relevance decline. We already see the decline of international roaming through the adoption of online eSIM marketplaces. The commercial aspects of roaming are moving from being federated at the network level to being orchestrated at device level. It is still a geeky process that even I find fraught with fear of failure. When that disappears (and it will) then traveling abroad will feel more like choosing a country sized hotspot than what finding a roaming carrier. People who travel to multiple countries all the time will benefit from bundled plans but guess what, that is not most people…. To use a cable analogy is it the unbundling of telco networks?
William Webb
2w
Yes, I agree that ideally 6G would allow a lot more local and private networks with sensible movement between them. It's broadly what I laid out in "The 6G Manifesto" with a multi-network controller that handles all the routing, authentication, security, and helps with network selection. I know there are lots of details still to be worked out....
Eventbrite link for 6G For the Real World workshop, Nov 28th, London https://www.eventbrite.com/e/workshop-6g-for-the-real-world-avoiding-5gs-mistakes-tickets-1027847648987