European governments back US-led call for 6G leadership and security
The US Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has launched a new initiative aimed at shaping the future of 6G, thanks to the support from over 20 partner governments.
In a bid to strengthen security and innovation in next-generation networks, the scheme, titled “Call to Action for 6G Leadership and Security” is designed to establish a shared roadmap among trusted partners as countries prepare for the next phase of wireless connectivity.
The announcement brings together governments from Europe, the Indo-Pacific and the Western Hemisphere, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States, among others.
Don’t miss the stories shaping the future of mobile technology.
Subscribe to Mobile Europe’s newsletter – delivered twice a week.
Arielle Roth, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator, said: “The Call to Action for 6G Leadership and Security reflects an unprecedented level of international coordination on the future of communications technology,” said
“Today’s action recognises that 6G will be dramatically different from 5G, and that advancing US and allied leadership requires a dramatically different playbook. By working now with trusted partners, we will ensure that next generation networks reflect our shared security interests, strengthen our competitiveness, and drive innovation.”
According to the participating governments, secure digital infrastructure will be central to future economic competitiveness and national security, claiming that advanced telecommunications networks will form the foundation for a wide range of emerging technologies and services.
“Secure digital infrastructure is essential to technological competitiveness, economic prosperity,
and national security. Advanced telecommunications networks are both the gateway to and the
heart of this infrastructure,” the governments stated in the Call to Action.
“We are committed to promoting approaches to 6G that deliver an open, interoperable, secure,
resilient, AI-supported, highly innovative, and resource efficient global communications system,
with like-minded nations both leading in and benefiting from the most sophisticated wireless
connectivity available.
“6G networks are likely to underpin diverse innovations – from artificial intelligence to advanced manufacturing to defence applications – thereby strengthening our collective economic competitiveness, security, public safety, strategic capability, and global leadership.”
However, while acknowledging work remains to maximise the benefits of current 5G networks, the partners claim early 6G adoption will be key to ensure future networks reflect shares security and economic priorities.
“Now is the time to put these words into action. We must take concrete steps to strengthen our 6G
supply chains, accelerate innovation, and ensure that the future of wireless communications is
shaped by like-minded nations,” the Call to Action added.
Therefore, the scheme outlines a series of actions over the next 12 months, including establishing government points of contact, engaging with telecommunications companies and academic institutions, identifying barriers to global 6G leadership and exploring ways to strengthen secure and resilient supply chains.
The governments also highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence in future communications networks, saying trusted AI will play a central role in developing and operating secure 6G systems.
The initiative is also intended to complement industry-led technical work while encouraging greater collaboration between governments and businesses.
“Working together is key to fully seizing the opportunity to help shape the future of 6G technology. We need to act in concert to support open, interoperable, secure, resilient, AI-supported, and resource efficient 6G connectivity, in collaboration with industry, academia, and other stakeholders,” it added.
IN RELATED NEWS
