6G Research Accelerates as NGMN Urges Simpler Migration Paths
On June 4, Keysight Technologies announced collaboration with NTT Docomo and NTT to advance 6G channel modeling and distributed MIMO simulation. Samsung and LG Uplus announced joint research on Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) technology on existing 5G networks and the 7 GHz band. The NGMN Alliance published new guidance recommending Multi-RAT Spectrum Sharing (MRSS) as the baseline migration approach, cautioning against rushing immature specifications. NGMN expects standardized 6G commercial deployment in the early 2030s.
LoRa Alliance Unveils Three-Year Roadmap for Massive IoT
On June 3, the LoRa Alliance released its 2026-2028 technical roadmap to expand LoRaWAN for massive IoT. Key 2026 initiatives include OPC UA integration for Industry 4.0, walk/drive-by reading capabilities, and satellite discovery standardization. Plans for 2027 include zero-touch onboarding and DNS-based infrastructure discovery. By 2028, a universal payload structure will enable seamless device-to-platform interoperability. Alliance CEO Alper Yegin emphasized expanding integration with existing IoT application domains.
Defense 5G: Leveraging Commercial Standards for Military Communications
On June 4, at the Defense Communications Forum, experts from Lockheed Martin, Battelle, and the U.S. Navy discussed adopting commercial 3GPP standards for military use. The core argument centers on economics and speed - commercial networks provide rapid deployment, economies of scale, and continuous advanced capabilities. Shifting non-tactical communications to commercial technology allows the military to regain spectrum access. Experts warned against over-customization that could sacrifice commercial technology value.
Opensignal Report: US Cable Upload Speeds Surge Dramatically
On June 2, Opensignal released its U.S. fixed broadband report. Comcast upload speeds increased 20% year-over-year, while Charter surged 36%, with newer DOCSIS versions narrowing the fiber-cable performance gap. T-Mobile FWA reliability improved 58 percentage points year-on-year. Operators are expanding coverage through acquisitions: Verizon acquired Frontier for $20 billion, AT&T purchased Lumen fiber assets, and T-Mobile invested $2.7 billion in a fiber joint venture.
Rakuten Mobile: 6G Is Operators Last Chance to Regain Control
On June 5, Rakuten Mobile SVP David Soldani published "Operator-Controlled 6G," arguing 6G represents the last opportunity to escape structural vendor dependency. From 2G to 5G, vendors controlled data models and upgrade cycles through vertically integrated stacks. Soldani proposed the "6G Control Compact" ownership taxonomy and "Assurance Economy" outcome-based pricing model. He warned that architectural decisions in 2026-28 will determine whether 6G defaults to operator control or vendor dependency.
6G Standardization Launches as 3GPP Process Begins
On May 20, NGMN Alliance CEO Anita Dohler stated that discussing 6G is "absolutely not too early" as the 3GPP process has already kicked off. NGMN is providing operator-driven 6G requirements and guidance, emphasizing flexible network design and hardware reuse. The Linux Foundation, CNCF, and TM Forum are contributing to 6G network foundations and automation. Speakers agreed operators must actively participate during this critical standardization window.
Hong Kong Broadband Growth to Offset Voice Decline
On June 1, GlobalData forecast Hong Kong fixed communications revenue CAGR of 2.1% from 2025-2030, with broadband growing at 3.1% while voice declines at -6.1%. Fiber will account for 81% of broadband lines by 2030. FWA subscriptions will grow at 9.2% CAGR, with HKT deploying mmWave FWA for rural areas. Analysts noted key revenue opportunities include upselling premium plans, cross-selling smart home services, and targeting enterprise customers.
Deutsche Telekom Expands 5G, Discontinues 2.1GHz DSS
On May 28, Deutsche Telekom activated 81 new mobile sites and upgraded 548 existing sites. 5G now covers 99% of German households. The operator discontinued Dynamic Spectrum Sharing in the 2.1GHz band, dedicating the full spectrum to 5G. CTO Alexander Jenbar stated this provides more capacity and ensures a more stable 5G experience. Deutsche Telekom also launched MagentaZuhause Hybrid XXL broadband, delivering 500Mbps download and 50Mbps upload without requiring fiber.
Bharti Airtel Launches Indias First 5G Network Slicing Service
On May 22, Bharti Airtel launched India's first commercial 5G network slicing service called "Priority Postpaid." The service uses 5G SA architecture to allocate prioritized resources during network congestion. All Airtel postpaid users automatically receive this feature. Competitor Reliance Jio also deployed consumer slicing with 10 nationwide slices. India becomes the second country globally where operators have launched dedicated network slices for postpaid consumers.
5G Core Growth Shifts Outside China, North America and EMEA Lead
On May 27, Dell'Oro Group reported North America and EMEA 5G core networks grew 20% year-over-year in Q1 2026, while China saw its steepest decline since 5G's introduction. EMEA is projected to lead 2026 growth at 21%. Dell'Oro noted the biggest driver is operators recognizing the industry is moving toward cloud-native architecture, and VNFs will soon lose support. Huawei, Ericsson, and Nokia consolidated dominance during the 5G SA deployment inflection point.