Verizon has announced the creation of its 6G Innovation Forum.
As part of 6G forum, Verizon said it has worked with network vendors, Ericsson, Samsung, and Nokia, plus Meta and Qualcomm, to establish the group, which sets out to drive innovation around 6G.
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According to Verizon, the forum aims to "establish an open, diversified, and resilient 6G ecosystem and develop foundational 6G technologies while ensuring global alignment."
Verizon, along with the three vendors, plus Meta and Qualcomm, are in the early stages of development to define 6G together by identifying potential new use cases, devices, and network technology, added the carrier.
“5G Advanced lays the foundation for the 6G future - whether that's new wearables, AI experiences, or entirely new use cases we haven’t even thought of yet, and that’s what excites me the most," said Joe Russo, EVP and president, global networks and technology at Verizon.
6G isn't expected to launch commercially until 2030. However, telcos are increasingly looking ahead to the next generation of mobile technology, as 3GPP sets out the standards for what 6G will look like.
Verizon notes that AI forms a key focus for its 6G Innovation Forum, stating that it expects the technology to "accelerate Verizon’s AI Connect strategy and intelligent Edge capabilities."
The carrier added that its forum will test new spectrum bands and bandwidths, while it will also work with standards bodies, such as 3GPP, to "ensure that the forum's work aligns with mainstream 6G development and promotes interoperability across the industry."
The carrier also stated that it will work with its forum partners to test 6G technologies in real-world environments.
As part of this, dedicated Verizon 6G Labs will be set up, kicking off in Los Angeles. The labs will act as hubs for collaborative research, prototyping, and early lab and field trials.
Earlier this year, T-Mobile was granted permission from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to test Nokia's 6G equipment at its headquarters in Bellevue, Washington.
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