We already know two large issues in regards to the 6G system structure: will probably be standalone from Day 1, and will probably be “AI native.”
Really, make that three issues: for some, 6G also needs to be “service conscious.”
In September 2026, 3GPP will make vital choices on 6G RAN, core and end-to-end system structure at its plenary conferences. Forward of that assembly, this text discusses how the three high-level themes listed above would possibly mix to form the rising 6G structure.
Have in mind there’s nonetheless plenty of uncertainty and element to be determined. Nonetheless, to set the context behind the three themes:
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Standalone Day 1 requires a discrete 6G core community (CN). What meaning in observe is an open query. Is it a flippantly upgraded model of a 5G core, a closely developed 5G core with plenty of new 6G capabilities or a wholly new core with new infrastructure, capabilities, protocols and interfaces?
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6G will probably be an AI native system. A brand new AI area will probably be built-in into the CN in all of the above situations. That is generally additionally described as an “AI airplane” that can run throughout the system structure to enhance the traditional management and consumer planes. The small print of this AI area/AI airplane are a piece in progress.
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Service-aware networks. That is extra nuanced as a result of so-called clever networks have traditionally been outpaced by innovation in gadgets and functions. Nonetheless, new agentic and token-driven AI site visitors profiles are prone to make service consciousness necessary in 6G. (For background, see this 3GPP article on “Service traits consciousness within the RAN,” July 2026).
The idea of service intent attracts these three themes collectively. The thought behind service intent is that the machine alerts its connectivity necessities to the community (for a given utility), and the AI airplane acts as an orchestration engine to configure the community accordingly. Crucially, service intent is pushed by the end-user utility – that’s, what the shopper desires.
On this structure, the AI orchestrator controls fleets of brokers each working within the new AI area and embedded inside community capabilities (NFs; see the determine beneath). Service intent is thus central to the 6G core and AI airplane/AI area discussions.
For an prolonged model of this text, with extra technical element and context, obtain this free-to-view Omdia white paper: AI Native 6G System Structure.
5G interworking for 6G Day 1 structure
It seems possible that for many early deployments (say, round 2030), the 6G core will probably be primarily based on an developed 5G core infrastructure enhanced with new 6G core management airplane capabilities and a brand new AI area.
For instance, a brand new “6G AMF” could also be launched alongside combo 5G/6G nodes reminiscent of SMF and UPF (or some variation of latest and combo nodes). And since voice and emergency calling are Day 1 necessities, this implies reusing the 4G/5G IMS core. This preliminary 6G SA core will interwork with the prevailing 5G core, then evolve and refresh independently over time.
Does this threat a two-phase 6G akin to the NSA to SA transition we noticed in 5G?
Type of, perhaps. Sure. The distinction is that the structure is SA from Day 1, and due to this fact the core can evolve quasi-independently of the RAN.
Introducing the AI area/AI airplane
The 6G structure is prone to formalize a brand new AI area within the CN. Based mostly on Omdia’s studying of 3GPP submissions and different market commentary, a draft structure seems to be rising, as proven within the determine beneath. On this structure, NFs within the management and consumer planes are constructed with embedded brokers which might be orchestrated by the brand new agentic AI airplane.
The weather and interfaces within the rising 6G AI airplane look lots like present hyperscaler and telecom vendor agent materials, and the rising TM Discussion board Open Digital Structure (ODA) AI-native canvas. See the full report for extra particulars.
Rising AI structure for 6G core
The case for an all-new AI native 6G core
There’s a robust technical case for a wholly new 6G core constructed as AI native from the bottom up for Day 1 deployment. For instance, the disaggregated structure may align extra carefully to state-of-the-art AI compute, and NFs might be outlined as bigger purposeful blocks and linked over an agent cloth. Automation, monitoring, assurance and so forth would observe swimsuit. Doubtlessly, an all-new AI native 6G core would permit the community to match service intent extra effectively to community assets and ship optimum buyer outcomes.
Nevertheless, in sensible phrases, the provider ecosystem will probably be challenged to ship such a core in 2030 (though some distributors may need prototype and pilot merchandise). Equally, the early 2030s is simply too quickly operationally and financially for operators to make such a big and radical shift in core infrastructure and operations.
Sarcastically, a difficulty with the evolution argument is that 5G core (and the service-based structure) is now typically considered as overly advanced, too brittle/fragile and overly disaggregated. Nonetheless, it’s the baseline the business should work from.
An all-new 6G core is thus interesting in idea, however is unlikely to be extensively implementable in observe within the 2030 timeframe in a fashion that’s scalable and deployable for the worldwide mainstream.
An EV analogy
Some argue that retrofitting AI to an developed 5G structure and calling it 6G SA is a dropping proposition from the beginning. To make use of an automotive analogy, evolving an present 5G core for AI native 6G is like constructing an electrical car (EV) on a combustion engine chassis. It really works, however the EV native design will finally win. To increase the analogy additional, one can solely construct a profitable EV platform if one additionally builds the manufacturing line to provide it.
This automotive analogy doesn’t map completely to 6G as a result of practically all cellular operators run brownfield infrastructure. But, it exhibits the necessity for distributors and operators to steadiness formidable innovation with sensible implementation constraints when growing AI native 6G core expertise.
Finish customers are the North Star
The potential for AI companies is immense. This expertise will develop the addressable marketplace for cellular wi-fi expertise and community operators, creating worth for finish prospects. Wi-fi networks are basic to delivering companies to AI-enabled endpoints and to realizing the total utility of AI within the wider economic system and society.
The vital questions are about when and the way this occurs. Service intent (what customers/prospects need) is a helpful guideline to find out what the structure ought to appear like, construct it and function 6G networks.
For an prolonged model of this text, with extra technical element and context, obtain this free-to-view Omdia white paper: AI Native 6G System Structure.
