At MWC, Ericsson Details AI-Native 6G Timeline

2026-03-12 · Source: Big Data & AI News - EE Times · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Emerging Technologies & Innovation, Cloud Computing & IT Infrastructure · Depth: Advanced, medium

Summary

Ericsson unveiled its strategic roadmap for 6G at MWC 2026, emphasizing AI-native networks, distributed compute architectures, and extensive partnership building, with full standardization targeted for 2029. The 3GPP is progressing on 6G standards, having made initial decisions on physical layer aspects like orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) waveforms. Ericsson plans to distribute processing units and neural network accelerators across the network, including at base stations, to minimize latency for AI tasks. New AI-ready radios featuring Ericsson's Many-Core Architecture (EMCA) with programmable matrix cores will support on-site AI. The company also highlighted the importance of migrating to 5G standalone (5G-SA) as a foundational step for 6G and announced a collaboration with AWS for an Agentic rApp as a Service. Future 6G networks will also integrate sensing capabilities (ISACs) and address a projected threefold increase in uplink traffic by 2030 due to agentic AI and connected devices.

Key takeaway

For AI Architects and Research Scientists planning future network infrastructure, prioritize migration to 5G standalone systems now, as Ericsson indicates this is the most efficient path to 6G. Your strategy should account for a natively intelligent network design, incorporating distributed AI compute and integrated sensing capabilities, rather than merely retrofitting existing 5G infrastructure. Be prepared for significant increases in uplink traffic and consider how geopolitical dynamics may influence regional 6G deployment timelines.

Key insights

6G networks will be AI-native, featuring distributed compute, integrated sensing, and a strong reliance on 5G-SA migration.

Principles

• AI must be a fundamental principle of 6G design.
• Distribute compute closer to data generation for efficiency.
• 5G standalone is the optimal migration path to 6G.

Method

Ericsson's approach involves designing AI-native networks from the ground up, distributing compute power with AI-ready radios using EMCA, and leveraging 5G-SA core reuse for 6G migration.

In practice

• Implement 5G standalone to prepare for 6G.
• Utilize AI-ready radios for on-site AI tasks.
• Explore integrated sensing and communications (ISACs).

Topics

• 6G Standardization
• AI-native Networks
• Distributed Compute
• Integrated Sensing and Communications
• Telecom Infrastructure

Best for: AI Architect, AI Engineer, Research Scientist

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Big Data & AI News - EE Times.