3GPP Release 20 Sets the Stage for 6G

The June 2025 3GPP plenary meetings in Prague marked a major milestone in mobile standards, formally launching the study phase for 6G under Release 20. Both the Radio Access Network (RAN) and System Architecture (SA) groups produced draft reports, RAN #108 and SA #108, which outline the comprehensive set of studies that will define the next generation of mobile networks. These reports show that 6G is moving from conceptual research to structured technical evaluation, laying the foundation for normative specifications in Release 21, expected to be completed by 2029, with initial commercial deployments around 2030.

Radio Access Network Studies

The RAN #108 draft report identifies key technical priorities for 6G air interface evolution. Multi-Radio Spectrum Sharing (MRSS) is a central focus, enabling dynamic coexistence of 5G and 6G within the same frequency bands. Unlike earlier spectrum sharing approaches, MRSS is expected to improve efficiency without being constrained by legacy reference signal overheads. Release 20 will support FR1 and FR2 bands and introduces a new FR3 range between 7 and 24 GHz, which offers additional capacity and wide-area coverage. Studies are also exploring higher frequencies, including sub-terahertz bands, to support extreme data rates and integrated sensing.

Enhancements to MIMO are a high priority. The studies aim to refine reference signals, beam management, and channel state information, boosting spectral efficiency, uplink coverage, and cell-edge performance. Decoupling uplink and downlink carrier selection is expected to further optimise throughput and coverage when operating at higher frequencies.

The RAN report also addresses emerging service requirements, including extended reality (XR) and bursty uplink traffic, with air-interface designs capable of handling dynamic data patterns from immersive and interactive AI-driven applications. Ambient IoT is another important focus, ensuring large-scale, low-power device deployments can operate efficiently within 6G networks.

Artificial Intelligence and Integrated Sensing

AI and machine learning are being studied as native capabilities in both the radio and core domains. The RAN #108 report details AI-driven approaches for channel estimation, beamforming, mobility management, scheduling, and feedback loops. Techniques such as model compression and device-side training are also included to reduce latency and computational overhead.

Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) is positioned as a defining feature of 6G. RAN #108 explores embedding radar-like sensing directly into the air interface, enabling networks to detect the presence, range, and velocity of objects. The SA #108 report complements this by studying how sensing data can be exposed through standardised APIs, supporting new service categories such as high-precision industrial positioning, collision avoidance, immersive XR with gesture recognition, and UAV and smart transport monitoring.

Core Network and System Architecture

The SA #108 draft report outlines the evolution of the core network and overall system architecture. Unlike previous generations, 6G is being designed as a standalone system from the outset, while maintaining interworking with 4G and 5G to ensure smooth migration. A central focus is AI-native network operation, including lifecycle management of AI models, integration into network functions, and AI-aided optimisation for service delivery and performance assurance.

The study also explores programmable, intent-based networks. High-level network intents, such as latency, reliability, or energy constraints, can be translated into automated configurations, supported by enhanced API exposure frameworks. This allows external applications and vertical industries to interact directly with network capabilities, creating opportunities for new services and business models.

Resilience is a key consideration. SA studies examine mechanisms for maintaining service continuity, including robust mobility management and integration with non-terrestrial networks that operate independently of GNSS. Energy efficiency and sustainability are also emphasised, with quantitative targets for both network infrastructure and devices. Optimisations include leaner protocols, smarter scheduling, energy-efficient MIMO, reduced idle energy consumption, and low-power device operation.

Device Diversity and Massive IoT

6G is being designed to support a wide variety of devices, from ultra-low-power IoT sensors to high-performance XR equipment. Modular functionality allows devices to implement only the features they require, reducing complexity and cost. Release 20 studies also examine a new massive IoT technology to succeed existing low-power wide-area networks, ensuring IoT is an integral part of 6G from the start.

Timeline and Roadmap

The Release 20 study phase is scheduled to continue until early 2027. The technical reports from RAN and SA will form the basis for Release 21, where normative 6G specifications will begin. The roadmap is as follows: 2025–2027 for study, 2027–2029 for specification, and 2029–2030 for initial commercial deployment.

Conclusion

The RAN #108 and SA #108 reports highlight a technically ambitious agenda for 6G. Key priorities include spectrum efficiency and flexibility, AI-native operation across radio and core networks, integrated sensing and communication, energy efficiency, resilience, and support for a diverse device ecosystem. Release 20 represents not merely a continuation of 5G evolution, but the structured initiation of 6G, setting the stage for a generation of intelligent, efficient, and sensing-enabled mobile networks.

Related Articles

For further reading, several articles provide their own summaries of the June 2025 3GPP plenary meetings and the Release 20 studies. They offer additional perspectives and insights into the technical discussions and emerging priorities for 6G:

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