IMT-2030: Technical requirements for the 6G future

Mobile communications experts at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have agreed on the performance requirements for IMT-2030, also known as 6G.

The draft requirements, adopted by consensus by a key ITU expert group in February, mark a major step forward in shaping the next generation of wireless connectivity and communication systems.

Working Party 5D, part of the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R), finalized these as unified requirements to evaluate the 6G radio interfaces, with formal approval expected to follow when the parent study group meets in December.

IMT-2030 builds on the existing standards for today’s 5G networks (designated at ITU as IMT-2020) with enhanced capabilities envisaged to support more advanced, immersive user experiences and novel forms of collaboration.

The working party’s draft new report, “Minimum requirements related to technical performance for IMT‑2030 radio interface(s),” outlines 20 technical performance requirements (TPR). Seven of them are new and specific to describe the 6G performances.

Usage scenarios

The full set of requirements is based on six proposed usage scenarios for 6G networks:

• Immersive communication (IC);
• Hyper reliable and low‑latency communication (HRLLC);
• Massive communication (MC);
• Ubiquitous connectivity (UC);
• Artificial intelligence (AI) and communication (AIAC); and
• Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC).

The IMT-2030 framework

The newly defined 6G requirements build on the IMT‑2030 framework that ITU first published in December 2023 as a globally harmonized foundation for next‑generation connectivity (Recommendation ITU‑R M.2160). This recommendation also defines the overarching principles for future network design, notably:

• Sustainability.
• Security and resilience.
• Connecting the unconnected.
• Ubiquitous intelligence.

ITU – the United Nations agency for digital technologies – aims for the 6^th generation of mobile communications (6G) to enable affordable, resilient, energy‑efficient networks for health, education, agriculture and disaster response. Advanced networks also present a way to close the persistent digital divide that today leaves many people in low-income countries behind.

This work to date provides a unified technical foundation to evaluate the candidate radio interfaces for IMT-2030 and guide the evolution of global 6G research and standardization.

Groundwork for future resilience

IMT‑2030 lays the groundwork for affordable, high‑quality connectivity to remote and underserved communities. By setting globally harmonized performance requirements, it aims to ensure access for everyone, make communication systems more resilient, support sustainability and implement energy‑efficient technologies. ITU aims for innovative 6G services to deliver broad social and economic benefits.

The 20 requirements set out in the new draft report ​are meant to provide a consistent basis for specification and evaluation. While the requirements establish minimum performance levels, they do not restrict implementation approaches or guarantee real-world deployment performance.

They reflect ongoing global research and technology activities and should pave the way for concrete IMT-2030 evaluation guidelines, the next step in ITU’s global standardization process for 6G.

Accordingly, the IMT-2030 draft report has been submitted for approval to ITU‑R Study Group 5, responsible for terrestrial radiocommunication services, at a meeting scheduled for 1 December.

Until then, the draft remains available exclusively to ITU‑R members directly involved in its finalization and approval. 

About ITU-R Study Group 5:

ITU-R Study Group 5 is responsible for Terrestrial Services, including Fixed Wireless, Mobile (land, maritime and aeronautical), radiodetermination service as well as amateur and amateur-satellite services and the development of international standards, regulation and guidelines for these systems. The group’s work encompasses a wide range of topics, including spectrum management, network architecture, and radio interface technologies.

About ITU-R Working Party 5D:

ITU-R Working Party 5D is responsible for the development and harmonization of international standards for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) systems, including the latest IMT-2030 (6G) technology. The working party’s efforts ensure interoperability and global compatibility for wireless communication systems.

Further information on IMT‑2030 and related activities is available on the portal for IMT towards 2030 and beyond.

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