The Roadmap to 6G: Intelligent and Lean Networks

With the continuous development of the fifth generation (5G) mobile network technology, industry application demands have shown characteristics of customization, differentiation, and fragmentation, which have put forward higher flexibility, agile deployment, user-friendliness, and cost-effectiveness requirements for communication services. The integrated multi-dimensional capabilities of communication, sensing, computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) will be key characteristics of 6G. With the increase in business demands and the addition of network capabilities, mobile communication networks have become increasingly complex. This article proposes a 6G intelligent and lean on-demand fulfillment network architecture that integrates communication, sensing, computing, and AI. By establishing a heterogeneous hardware cloud platform, integrating multi-dimensional capabilities, and dynamically orchestrating on-demand services, we aim to enhance the flexibility, openness, and sharing of the network while reducing network complexity, serving industry customers, and promoting technological innovation.