6G timeline: research → standardization → deployment

Research and Vision Phase (2020-2025)

The 6G journey began around 2020 with vision papers from leading research groups worldwide. Finland 6G Flagship launched in 2018 as the first dedicated 6G program. ITU-R established the IMT-2030 technical performance requirements study in 2021, with the framework recommendation (M.2160) adopted in 2023. During this phase, universities and industry consortia explore fundamental technologies — THz communication, RIS, cell-free MIMO, and semantic communication. National and regional 6G programs (Hexa-X, Next G Alliance, BHARAT 6G) produce white papers defining vision and key technology…