SKT Reveals Activities Leading 6G Standardization "Will Lead Globally"

O-RAN Alliance Meeting Presents 6G Direction
Leading 6G with NGMN and 3GPP Workshops

On the 21st, SK Telecom disclosed its ongoing activities related to leading the standardization of 6G, which will serve as the foundation for future industries. Currently, 6G is under discussion for its vision (framework) at ITU-R. The approval of 6G standardization is expected around 2030. SKT is conducting various activities such as research on related technologies and publishing white papers to lead the global standardization and technology ecosystem construction of 6G.

On June 19, key representatives from major global operators and manufacturers participated in the O-RAN Alliance meeting held in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by SKT)

Presenting 6G Direction at O-RAN Alliance Meeting

SKT is participating in the O-RAN Alliance meeting held in Osaka, Japan, from the 19th to the 23rd. It serves as a co-chair of the Requirements Study Group (RS-01) under nGRG. nGRG stands for next Generation Research Group. It is a research group that analyzes 6G technology trends, establishes 6G requirements, and works on AI application and architecture design from the open RAN perspective.

The meeting was attended by major global operators and manufacturers such as Verizon, Deutsche Telekom, and NTT Docomo. SKT presented its 6G direction and is the only domestic company to contribute and present on the ‘6G candidate frequency requirements’ as well as review and discuss the 6G open RAN research report. Additionally, SKT has participated in domestic standardization organizations such as the Korea ITU Study Group’s WP5D and the project group (TTA PG1101) to reflect opinions on 6G core requirements including 6G usage scenarios and key performance targets in the 6G framework (vision) recommendation.

Continuous Efforts to Secure Leadership in 6G Standardization

In April, SKT also participated in the ‘IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network) Global Forum’ held in Osaka, Japan. This is an annual meeting for research, development, and standardization of next-generation communication technologies centered on 6G wired networks and data centers. SKT was the only domestic telecom operator to participate. At this meeting, SKT conducted various activities including contributing and presenting on 6G-related technology demonstration cases (interoperability demonstration between SDN platform and next-generation open optical transmission equipment) and the 6G white paper and energy-saving white paper jointly developed with NTT Docomo.

SKT was the only domestic telecom operator to participate in the publication of the ‘6G Technology White Paper’ issued by NGMN, a global alliance led by mobile network operators. At last month’s NGMN board meeting, SKT emphasized the importance of clearly defining the vision to be included in the 6G recommendation to be announced at ITU-R this year through presentations on lessons learned from 5G and 6G-related topics. Furthermore, SKT also participated in the 3GPP TSG RAN/SA Release 19 workshop held in Taipei, Taiwan, from the 13th to the 16th. Release 19 specifications represent the second phase of 5G Advanced. It is seen as a key technology preparing the path for the 6G era while enhancing 5G performance.

Ryu Tak-gi, head of SKT’s Infrastructure Technology division, said, “Thorough preparation is necessary from now on to secure global leadership by the time 6G standardization is completed and commercialized, expected around 2030,” adding, “We will do our best to ensure that South Korea becomes a global leading country in 6G as well.”