6G Research

Shaping the Next Generation of Networks

While 5G networks continue to expand globally, planning is already underway for the next generation of wireless technology: 6G. 6G will open up new avenues for how networks operate, including new approaches to sensing, automation, and intelligence integration.

At InterDigital, we are actively engaged in early research and industry discussions that are helping shape the technology that will power 6G and the applications it can support.

FEATURED

Bridge to 6G: Spotlight on 3GPP Release 20

Bridge to 6G: Spotlight on 3GPP Release 20”, authored by ABI Research and commissioned by InterDigital, explores how 3GPP Release 20 serves as the pivotal link between 5G-Advanced and the next-generation 6G ecosystem. With 5G reaching maturity across global markets, the document highlights the industry’s transition toward 6G, emphasizing lessons learned from 5G’s fragmented rollout and the need for simplified, energy-efficient, and AI-native network architectures.

Key 6G Research Areas

6G is still developing, but InterDigital has already begun researching key areas we believe will be foundational in the next generation of networks:

Integrated Sensing and Communications

Merging sensing and connectivity into a unified network layer

InterDigital is exploring how 6G can combine radar-like sensing and wireless communication in the same system, enabling use cases like environmental awareness, object detection, and precision positioning without adding new infrastructure.

AI/ML in Mobile Networks

Networks that learn, adapt, and optimize on their own

Research into AI and machine learning is helping InterDigital shape 6G systems that apply intelligence throughout the mobile network, from the physical (PHY) and protocol layers to network architecture and service layers.

Intersection of Wireless and Video

Consistent, seamless service anywhere on the planet

InterDigital is helping to define a 6G architecture that brings together satellite, cellular, and local networks into one unified fabric, enabling always-on connectivity across rural, urban, indoor, and airborne environments.

Evolving 6G from 5G Foundations

Advancing 5G's core innovations to power 6G

InterDigital's research explores how key 5G-Advanced features—such as massive MIMO, extended reality (XR), quality of experience (QoE) optimization, and non-terrestrial networks (NTN)—evolve to form the technical and architectural bridge to 6G.

How We Are Building from 5G-Advanced to 6G

While 5G-Advanced and 6G are evolutions of 5G, they are fundamentally different research areas for our Wireless Lab:

5G-Advanced takes the current 5G network to its full potential, focusing on enhancements that make it smarter, more efficient, and more adaptable. Our work:

Advances reduced capability (RedCap) support for industrial and IoT applications
Integrates AI and machine learning into network management
Develops intelligent spectrum utilization and energy-efficient architectures

6G research lays the groundwork for an entirely new network defined by intelligence, precision, and security built from the ground up. InterDigital is pioneering work in:

Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC)
Sub-terahertz radio technologies
AI-native protocol design
Post-quantum security frameworks

5G-Advanced research shows us where the limits of today's networks are, while our 6G research focuses on developing new solutions that extend beyond the current constraints of 5G.

	5G-Advanced	6G
Primary Goal	Enhance and fully realize 5G's potential	Develop a completely new generation of wireless building on 5G-Advanced
3GPP Timeline	Standardization ongoing through ~2028	Standardization begins mid-2020s; commercialization ~2030
Use Case Focus	Enterprise 5G, XR, RedCap, AI integration, NTN	ISAC, ubiquitous connectivity, integrated AI and communications, immersive communications, massive communications, and ultra reliable and low latency communications
Technology Themes	Energy efficiency, smart beamforming, network slicing	Energy efficiency, AI-native design, streamlined deployment

Where We Are Leading 6G

InterDigital contributes 6G standards work to multiple organizations, including IEEE, IETF, 3GPP, and ETSI. We also participate in the Next G Alliance and have partnered with Horizon Europe for 6G research.