Dr. Wen Tong outlines revolutionary vision for 6G at Istanbul conference

At the prestigious 6G Conference held in Istanbul on 24th September 2024, Dr. Wen Tong, the Chief Technology Officer of Huawei’s Wireless division, captivated the audience with his vision for the future of mobile technology. His keynote speech centred around the foundational shifts expected to be brought about by the advent of 6G, distinguishing it as a transformative leap rather than a mere enhancement of current 5G technology.

The conference, which serves as a global platform for technological innovation, saw Dr. Tong addressing the ITU-R 6G vision framework, paving the way for the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to kick off 6G standardization by 2025. His speech underscored the significance of looking beyond the incremental advancements 5G has brought, pushing for a reinvention of what mobile networks can offer. According to Dr. Tong, “6G is a true intergenerational technological disruption.”

Dr. Tong’s discourse was particularly focused on two primary themes: “6G Standardization Direction” and “6G Innovation Driving Force.” He emphasized the need for a new architectural design for 6G, advocating for a move towards an Application-Driven Network that surpasses the current Service-Based Architecture model. This shift is necessary to realise the 6G vision, catering to diverse application scenarios projected for 2030 to 2040. The need for cross-generational innovation means that simply building on 5G’s architecture is insufficient; instead, 6G must feature unique technological breakthroughs.

The talk also delved into the development of 6G terminals, advocating for substantial advancements to align with the prospective needs of both consumers and industries by the 2030s. As Dr. Tong explained, the transition from traditional smartphones to AI-enhanced terminals marks a critical evolution in mobile technology. He stressed that such terminals should lead the charge in the “Full-AI” era, thereby catalysing the success of the entire industry ecosystem.

Highlighting the pivotal role of Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Tong predicted it would be a crucial enabler of 6G, with the network paradigms increasingly favouring AI integration. He drew parallels to the Internet’s role in past technological innovations, suggesting AI holds potential as a similarly transformative force. Dr. Tong delineated between various AI technologies, articulating that 6G networks should look beyond current generative AI towards more advanced forms like General Artificial Intelligence (AGI) and Embodiment-AI.

These types of AI, characterised by their comprehensive involvement in sensing, reasoning, and decision-making processes, are set to redefine the interactions and functionality within future mobile networks. Dr. Tong’s vision extends to leveraging these advanced AI systems to instigate a new era in mobile communication technologies.

Concluding his address, Dr. Tong highlighted the ongoing significance of 5G, noting its expanding deployment worldwide and transition towards 5G-Advanced. This evolution, he mentioned, not only meets present-day demands but also safeguards the investments made by operators. With 6G, however, his emphasis was clear: it should maintain a distinct technological path separate from 5G, driven by the needs and scenarios predicted for the coming decades.

Dr. Tong’s speech in Istanbul presented a roadmap for the mobile industry’s future, where generational leaps and AI-led innovations could herald a new age in connectivity, shaping how technology integrates with everyday life and various industries well into the next decade.

Source: Noah Wire Services