The latest issue of 3GPP Highlights magazine, released in June 2025, continues to be an essential read for anyone following the evolution of mobile technology. Issue 10 offers an in-depth view of technical progress across Releases 18, 19 and 20, but what truly stands out is how much of the content is now laying the groundwork for 6G.
The magazine opens with a reminder of how far the community has come, referencing the vibrant in-person participation at the March 2025 6G workshop in Incheon. It then shifts to more technical updates, with a spotlight on Release 20, which is now clearly positioned as the bridge between the final stages of 5G Advanced and the early studies on 6G.
3GPP Working Group SA2 has begun investigating 6G system architecture concepts, following the workshop and several rounds of inputs from companies. Work on the 6G Study Item is already under way, with detailed discussion on foundational aspects such as architectural principles, AI integration, sensing, immersive services, and interworking with non-3GPP access. The formal timeline for 6G normative specification work is set to start with Release 21, expected to be defined in 2026 and extending through to 2029.
From a RAN perspective, the magazine explores how AI and machine learning are already influencing NG-RAN in Release 19, with concepts such as AI-assisted slicing and capacity optimisation paving the way for their wider role in 6G. Similarly, SA5 is defining a robust AI/ML lifecycle management framework to ensure intelligent features across the network are interoperable, manageable, and energy-efficient. These system-wide foundations will be key for realising a 6G-native AI experience.
Another noteworthy article examines immersive avatar communications for AR calls over IMS, which again ties into potential 6G use cases involving mixed reality and digital twins. The supporting work on split rendering and XR optimisation further reflects the direction of future communications.
Even the Partner Focus section connects to 6G readiness, with one6G contributing insights on the ecosystem needs for verticals like e-health and robotics. This ties closely with recent posts on the Free 6G Training blog, which has already covered much of this vision in earlier analyses.
From AI to avatars, and from system architecture to smart healthcare, the magazine reflects a growing alignment across 3GPP toward a cohesive 6G roadmap. Much of what is featured in this edition of Highlights has already been discussed, dissected or expanded on right here at the Free 6G Training blog. For readers who want a deeper dive, it is worth browsing the archive for posts on AI-native networks, ambient IoT, and the many 6G whitepapers we have reviewed.
You can read Issue 10 of 3GPP Highlights on the 3GPP website, and we highly recommend subscribing to future editions to keep up with how 3GPP’s work is evolving. For 6G professionals and enthusiasts alike, it is an invaluable reference as we move into a new era of research and specification.
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- Free 6G Training: Summary of 3GPP's 6G Workshop (March 2025)
- Free 6G Training: 6G Empowering Future Robotics: Building Intelligent, Connected, and Ethical Robotic Systems
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