6G Initial Developments for Flagship Applications Experiments

As the world transitions into the next generation of wireless communication technology, namely 6G, the potential for revolutionary advancements in connectivity and data transfer becomes increasingly evident. With the growing demands for higher bandwidth, ultra-reliable low-latency communications, and massive machine-type communications, 6G is expected to address the limitations of existing networks and unlock new possibilities for transformative use cases in the year 2030. This research paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the new software requirements needed for the transition towards future networks, drawing on currently available 5G Stand-Alone (SA) experimentation testbeds that implement the 3GPP Release 16 standard. It also looks at the new envisioned use cases for 6G, developed in the context of EU founded research and innovation projects, focusing on the projected trends, requirements and initial developments that will shape the 6G landscape. Additionally, with its focus on the KPIs needed for B5G and 6G applications, the paper highlights the pressing need for an updated architecture to accommodate the unique challenges posed by the future cellular networks standards.