Whose experiences will shape 6G?

Last week, I moderated a panel at 6G World’s North American symposium. The panel focused on the new “experiences” that next generation networks are expected to enable. To begin with, we heard from Cathy Hackl, industry pundit and Godmother of the Metaverse. 

To complement Cathy’s largely consumer-oriented and brand-marketing insights, panelists from Mitre Labs, US Ignite and Verizon Robotics discussed an alternative way to look at 6G experiences. Their contributions highlighted the changing structure of the communications industry. We explored how external bodies and agencies peripheral to the communications industry are driving new industry dynamics. The role of spectrum regulators, the US Department of Defense and holders of licensed and unlicensed spectrum will reshape the industry’s supply-side experience. Inevitably, there will be consequences for innovation, procurement, and operations of 6G systems.