The NTIA is questioning if it will be necessary to retrain or expand the current wireless industry workforce when 6G is rolled out. However, that question might be difficult for WIA, NATE, or other industry stakeholders to answer until more information is available regarding the unstandardized 6G wireless systems.
At last week’s Connect X in Atlanta, panelists in multiple sessions estimated that 5G had been rolled out across approximately 50% of America. However, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) wants to jump-start 6G deployment. It requests public comments to guide executive branch policies on the next generation of wireless communications technology development.
As industry, governmental, academic, and civil society stakeholders develop potential requirements for 6G, NTIA hopes to hear from the public on specific questions to inform future engagement and support of 6G advancement.
The NTIA said that secure and reliable telecommunications are essential for the United States’ economic competitiveness. As 5G deployment progresses, the industry is already planning for 6G, which is expected to provide pervasive connectivity across digital and physical domains, enhancing economic growth, national security, and societal well-being. Various organizations, including the International Telecommunication Union and the U.S. NextG Alliance, are authoring 6G visions.
6G is anticipated to build on 5G capabilities, expanding connectivity, integrated sensing, communication, and artificial intelligence. It holds promise for achieving societal and economic goals, such as public safety, security, resilience, economic competitiveness, and digital equity. To ensure these objectives are met, NTIA seeks comments from interested parties to inform policy positions that will support U.S. leadership in 6G development and global standards.
Request for comments
NTIA invites comments on a range of issues related to 6G technology, including priorities, use cases, and research and development. Comments from private sector stakeholders, academia, civil society, and the public sector are welcome. NTIA is particularly interested in comments on the following questions:
- They are enabling 6G Success: Which specific use cases will initially benefit from 6G technology, and how can the U.S. Government support these innovations?
- Policy Support: What existing or future policies should the U.S. Government promote to support 6G development beyond spectrum use? What policies could stifle 6G development or harm U.S. competitiveness in international markets?
- Challenges: What new challenges will arise from 6G regarding privacy, equity, and civil liberties? How can the U.S. Government ensure the benefits of 6G technology extend to all segments of society?
- International Cooperation: How should the U.S. Government cooperate with like-minded countries to enable 6G success globally? Are there existing international initiatives on 6G that should be considered?
- Leadership and Competition: Are U.S. companies positioned as global leaders in 6G development? What other countries or regions represent the most substantial challenges to U.S. leadership in 6G? What can the U.S. Government do to enable U.S. companies to succeed in the global 6G market?
- Adoption Barriers: What barriers must be addressed to enable 6G adoption in non-traditional verticals, such as industries and academic campuses?
- Workforce Development: What is required to develop a domestic workforce capable of designing, manufacturing, deploying, and operating 6G networks? Will retraining or expansion of the current workforce be necessary?
- Public-Private Partnerships: What public-private partnerships would help enable U.S. leadership in global 6G development?
- Standards and Interoperability: How are standards being set or developed to ensure 6G supports interoperability between multiple telecommunications infrastructure suppliers?
- Transition from 5G to 6G: What can be done now with 5G development to enable 6G success? How should these efforts be prioritized?
- Supply Chain Issues: What supply chain issues in 5G deployment could impact 6G development? How will the 6G supply chain differ from the 5G supply chain?
Additional information is available here.