Coverage, Complexity and Commercial Viability - CWTEC 2025 on 6G

Cambridge Wireless’ annual Technology and Engineering Conference (CWTEC) 2025 took on the theme “6G Anarchy in the UK – how does the UK get what it needs in the 6G era?” This year’s CWTEC took place at the Computer Laboratory, University of Cambridge. It proved an excellent venue, perfectly suited to the technical and forward-looking discussions the event is known for. In fact, the Computer Laboratory has hosted many past editions of CWTEC, giving the conference a familiar and fitting home.

The discussions moved beyond hype and focused on the technical, commercial, and policy factors that will determine how the UK approaches advanced connectivity.

Coverage was repeatedly highlighted as the most pressing issue. Despite continuous upgrades, there are still large areas where reliable mobile service is not available, and this has a measurable impact on productivity and the wider economy. Estimates suggest billions are lost each year due to gaps in connectivity, particularly on transport routes. Improving coverage in the UK is therefore not only a technical requirement but also a matter of national economic interest. Non-terrestrial networks were presented as part of the solution, but the integration of satellite and terrestrial systems raises practical challenges. Loose rather than tight coupling was generally considered more realistic, following the lessons of Wi-Fi and cellular interworking. Concepts such as heterogeneous networking, where different systems act as simple bit pipes with services layered over the top, were discussed as ways to deliver more reliable and ubiquitous connectivity.

Complexity in standards and system design was another strong theme. Some argued that the pattern of each generation adding layers of features must not be repeated. Many features defined in 5G have seen little to no deployment, and there was scepticism about pursuing even more options in 6G. Instead, simplification was suggested as a way to reduce costs, improve energy efficiency, and ensure that new systems are fit for real-world conditions rather than only lab demonstrations. This included a recognition that performance evaluations should focus less on peak throughput in ideal conditions and more on end-to-end performance under realistic scenarios. Technical debates also addressed uplink limitations, antenna and RF design, and the sustainability of infrastructure. Energy efficiency in power amplifiers, more efficient antenna materials, and resilience in positioning and timing were highlighted as areas requiring innovation.

Commercial viability framed many of the conversations. Several speakers pointed out that data usage appears to be levelling off, reducing the justification for ever higher capacity. The experience of 5G was cited as a warning, with large capital investments not matched by new revenue streams. Calls were made for a refreshed regulatory approach that enables monetisation, encourages demand diversity, and ensures spectrum access at the right time. Supplier diversity was debated, with the conclusion that operators do not always prioritise it in practice, but demand from private networks, neutral hosts, and specialised sectors could still create opportunities for new entrants.

Taken together, the message from CWTEC was clear. The UK needs to prioritise coverage, resist the temptation to add unnecessary complexity, and ensure that commercial models are sustainable. While 6G will evolve, its success depends on solving real problems rather than chasing speculative visions. The debate at CWTEC 2025 showed that these issues are now firmly at the centre of the discussion, shaping a more grounded and realistic approach to the next generation.

You can explore some of the CWTEC 2025 sessions that were shared in the video playlist below. Agenda is available here. Only selected talks have been shared:

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