AGENDA

Note: All times below are in U.S. Eastern Time

The Next Era of Wireless: From 5G Leadership to AI-Native 6G                      

11:00 a.m. Keynote: The Next Era of Wireless: From 5G Leadership to AI-Native 6G – 15 mins

6G Values and Technologies                             

11:20 a.m. Keynote: 6G Values and Technologies – 25 mins

Where do we stand with 5G in an AI world?

11:50 a.m. Panel: Where do we stand with 5G in an AI world? – 45 mins

We’re more than half-way through the 5G cycle, and there have been several key milestones for the current 3GPP technology. Private 5G has taken off, with many enterprises using it to create secure, private wireless networks for their facilities, sometimes to replace Wi-Fi and sometimes to supplement it. At the same time, we’re finally seeing widespread adoption of 5G Standalone (SA) architectures, which enable operators to offer 5G-Advanced capabilities. Also, during the first phase of 5G, open RAN became a reality with several Tier 1 service providers deploying it in their commercial networks. Together, private 5G, 5G SA and open RAN are redefining mobile network innovation and enterprise transformation. But in the middle of the 5G cycle, AI has taken the world by storm. We now have AI RAN, AI customer service and AI network optimization. This panel takes stock of the progress we’ve made with 5G and the pivots we’re seeing because of AI.

Moderator: Monica Alleven, Executive Editor, Fierce Network

AI will take 6G by storm

1:00 p.m. Invited Keynote – 20 mins
1:10 p.m. Panel: AI will take 6G by storm – 45 mins

The 3GPP is expected to begin releasing standards for 6G around 2030. 6G will embed AI and machine learning frameworks throughout the network, including in the RAN, core and management layers to enable dynamic resource allocation, predictive maintenance and network optimization. 3GPP also intends for 6G to support not just communications but also integrated sensing and positioning for immersive services and real-world interaction. But with AI, 6G may look a lot different from 5G. We’re already hearing 6G referred to as an "AI-native wireless generation," meaning AI won’t just be bolted on, but deeply integrated into how the network is built, managed and used. This panel will review the progress made on 6G to date and how the influence of AI could change its scope.

Moderator: Joe Madden, Principal Analyst, Mobile Experts, Inc.

Fireside Chat                                       

2:05 p.m. Fireside Chat: Eric Hardouin, VP of Networks and Infrastructure Research, Orange  – 25 min

Host: Liz Coyne, Editor-in-Chief, Fierce Network

The role of satellite in the telecommunications ecosystem

2:45 p.m. Panel: The role of satellite in the telecommunications ecosystem – 50 min

Perhaps even more exciting than 5G and 6G is the prospect of satellite connectivity becoming part of a global telecommunications mesh, where different types of connectivity all play a role in keeping people connected. The 3GPP is already working on standards for combining terrestrial cellular infrastructure with satellite networks to ensure global, ubiquitous mobile connectivity. And new partnerships are already being formed between mobile operators and satellite companies. These relationships are already disrupting the status quo of the wireless ecosystem. This panel will address the role of technical, regulatory and business factors in this new competitive landscape.

Moderator: Linda Hardesty, Chief Analyst, Wireless and Wireline Networks, Fierce Network