A report from InterDigital and ABI Research has identified the latest 3GPP standards milestone, Release 20, as a critical bridge between 5G-Advanced and the future 6G era, marking a major step in the evolution of mobile connectivity.
The study, The Bridge to 6G: Spotlight on 3GPP Release 20, outlines how the wireless industry is consolidating a decade of 5G innovation while laying the groundwork for the next generation of intelligent networks.
Release 20, currently under development, is expected to establish the commercial maturity of 5G-Advanced while initiating coordinated studies on 6G design. These efforts will underpin technologies such as AI-native networks, Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC), and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), each seen as foundational to 6G capabilities.
“Release 20 is the industry’s bridge between generations, leveraging a decade of 5G innovation and maturity into a launchpad for a smarter, more sustainable, and commercially viable 6G,” said Rajesh Pankaj, Chief Technology Officer at InterDigital. “Our teams contribute extensive expertise in areas like ISAC and AI-native radio access networks to help shape more intelligent, efficient, and capable networks under 6G.”
According to Dimitris Mavrakis, Senior Research Director at ABI Research, the next generation of standards is being influenced by a broader range of contributors. “6G is being shaped by a more diverse set of stakeholders,” he said. “From legacy innovators to hyperscalers and AI pioneers, the consensus-driven approach behind Release 20 ensures that 6G will be more inclusive, resilient, and responsive to global market demands.”
Looking ahead, the report predicts that 6G networks will evolve beyond infrastructure into intelligent, sensing-based ecosystems underpinning the digital economy. Future services could include holographic communication, real-time analytics for extended reality, ambient IoT environments powered by self-sustaining devices, and ultra-reliable, low-latency networks for autonomous systems.
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