3GPP Evolution from 5G to 6G: A 10-Year Retrospective

TL;DR

This paper reviews the decade-long evolution of 3GPP mobile standards from 5G to the emerging 6G, highlighting technological milestones, challenges, and future directions for next-generation wireless communication.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive retrospective of 3GPP releases from 15 to 20, outlining key advancements and lessons learned to guide 6G development beyond 2030.

Findings

Six major releases shaped 5G and 6G evolution

Introduction of AI and non-terrestrial networks in 5G-Advanced

Future challenges and opportunities for 6G development

Abstract

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) evolution of mobile communication technologies from 5G to 6G has been a transformative journey spanning a decade, shaped by six releases from Release 15 to Release 20. This article provides a retrospective of this evolution, highlighting the technical advancements, challenges, and milestones that have defined the transition from the foundational 5G era to the emergence of 6G. Starting with Release 15, which marked the birth of 5G and its New Radio (NR) air interface, the journey progressed through Release 16, where 5G was qualified as an International Mobile Telecommunications-2020 (IMT-2020) technology, and Release 17, which expanded 5G into new domains such as non-terrestrial networks. Release 18 ushered in the 5G-Advanced era, incorporating novel technologies like artificial intelligence. Releases 19 and 20 continue this momentum, focusing on commercially driven enhancements while laying the groundwork for the 6G era. This article explores how 3GPP technology evolution has shaped the telecommunications landscape over the past decade, bridging two mobile generations. It concludes with insights into learned lessons, future challenges, and opportunities, offering guidelines on 6G evolution for 2030 and beyond.