Ericsson’s road to 6G patent leadership

Driving 6G Standards: Ericsson's Leadership in 3GPP

Starting with 3G, each generation of cellular standards has been developed in 3GPP, a global standards body. While hundreds of organizations participate, only ten companies have accounted for over 70% of the technical inputs shaping the standard between 2001 and 2020. At Ericsson we are proud to be one of these major contributors.

Within 3GPP, working groups (WGs) are the backbone of technical standardization. They design, refine, and maintain the specifications that define mobile communication technologies. Among them, WGs RAN1 and RAN2 stand out, because they oversee the radio air interface. This work lays the groundwork for technologies essential to handsets, devices, and radio network infrastructure. Ericsson leads the way in both WGs, co-authoring 25 percent of all approved contributions related to 5G/NR between 2016 and 2023. To date, Ericsson has submitted over 80,000 technical contributions to 3GPP, i.e., thousands more than any other company.

As 3GPP continues to evolve cellular standards, it introduces updates known as releases.  Recently, 3GPP Release 17 extended 5G capabilities to support new applications, such as Broadband IoT and Public Safety, while enhancing existing ones like Critical IoT and Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB). These advancements serve as important milestones on the road to 6G. In 3GPP Release 17, Ericsson held the most 3GPP leadership positions, reflecting the overall trust in our fairness, expertise, and commitment to advancing 3GPP standards.

Building the foundation of 6G

Ericsson’s R&D commitment

Innovation is deeply embedded in Ericsson's DNA. Over the last three decades we have allocated more than $100B (around €94.7B) in research and development (R&D). With a team of over 28,000 professionals dedicated to R&D efforts, Ericsson is fully committed to accelerate the future of connectivity. In 2023, we reinvested around 19% of our annual global revenue — approximately € 4.4 billion — into these initiatives. This continuous dedication allows us to conduct research years before the formal standardization processes begin.

3GPP officially kicked off work on 5G in 2015. However, Ericsson had already initiated industry discussions around 5G as early as 2011, defining 5G services and requirements. By May 2016, the company filed a landmark 5G patent application, the largest in cellular communications history. This comprehensive application, built on years of research, integrated numerous Ericsson inventions into a complete architecture for the 5G network standard, laying the foundation for 5G telecommunications.

Consequently, we were honored with early awards for our contributions to 5G, such as ‘Biggest Contribution to 5G Development’ (LTE Asia Awards, 2015), ‘Biggest Contribution to 5G Standards’ (LTE and 5G World Awards, 2016), ‘Advancing the Road to 5G – Evolution to 5G’ (Glotel, Global Telecoms Award, 2016), and ‘Outstanding Contribution to Standards Development - Ericsson 5G Program’ (Glotel, Global Telecoms Award, 2016).

Similarly, Ericsson has engaged in 6G research years before 3GPP standardization. The official start of 6G development by 3GPP was 2023. However, Ericsson established a vision for 6G four years earlier, in 2019, if not before. This forward-thinking approach led to the publication of Ericsson’s first 6G white paper, “Ever-present intelligent communication”, in Autumn 2020. Since then, Ericsson has released several insightful 6G white papers, with the latest, “6G – Connecting a Cyber-Physical World”, published in July 2024.

Ericsson’s early 6G research  has sparked critical technologies like neuromorphic computing. This brain-inspired computing technique boosts data processing speed and energy efficiency, making it ideal for AI-driven 6G networks. Our R&D activities have also resulted in smarter, more adaptive networks. These networks are crucial for meeting growing data demands while aligning with Ericsson's 6G vision of sustainability and energy efficiency. Our intelligent algorithms conserve power during low demand and optimize energy usage when available. In 2023, Ericsson reduced energy consumption for new radio base stations by 30% compared to 2021. We’ve also issued a €500 million green bond to promote energy-efficient solutions and renewable projects. Our goal is to achieve Net Zero emissions across our value chain by 2040.

Ericsson leadership positions in 6G projects

Ericsson is actively driving 6G innovation through numerous projects across the globe. Notable examples include Hexa-X (2021-2023), IMT-2030 (2021-2030), 6G-ANNA (2022-2025), KOMSENS-6G (2022-2025), Hexa-X-II (2023-2025), DETERMINISTIC6G consortium (2023-2025), 6G BHARAT ALLIANCE (2023-2030), and the Ericsson Federal Technologies Group (since 2024).

In the Hexa-X project, a European Union-funded 6G initiative, As the Technical Manager, Ericsson oversaw the initiative’s 6G research, development, and standardization efforts. At the same time, in the role of Work Package (WP) Leader for the ‘Architecture enablers for B5G/6G’ work package, Ericsson drove the strategic vision and innovative architectural solutions. As Task Leader Ericsson also led tasks on localization, sustainable AI, efficient networks, and architecture transformation. Additionally, Ericsson served as Main Editor for two vital deliverables.

IMT-2030, initiated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), defines the capabilities and performance requirements for 6G technologies by 2030. Ericsson is a major contributor on critical areas such as spectrum allocation, network architecture, and advanced radio technologies.

In 6G-ANNA, a German government-funded project aiming to develop a holistic 6G design. Ericsson advances 6G radio access technologies, including flexible physical layers, simplified RAN protocols, and cloud-based architectures. Additionally, Ericsson is working to leverage AI, for efficient, high-capacity networks and developing some advanced distributed massive multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) to enhance signal reliability, and enable precise, long-distance communication.

KOMSENS-6G, backed by the German Ministry of Education and Research, integrates sensor technology into 6G, supporting applications like Industry 4.0 digital twins and autonomous mobility. As Technical Manager, Ericsson leads antenna design for joint communication and sensing, collaborating with partners to introduce sensor technology into 6G networks.

The Hexa-X-II project advances the European 6G journey by expanding on Hexa-X’s work to develop a pre-standardized 6G platform and system framework. It emphasizes organizing 6G technologies, creating a comprehensive platform, and addressing societal challenges like sustainability, inclusion, and trustworthiness. Ericsson continues to lead as Technical Manager and serves as WP Leader for the ‘Architectural Enabler WP.’ Additionally, Ericsson supervises tasks on protocol design, AI-driven architecture, intelligent radio interface design, and device quality assurance. As Main Editor, Ericsson is in charge of five vital deliverables, including interim system designs and enablers for 6G evolution. Moreover, Ericsson’s research contributes to advanced antenna systems, modulation techniques, and AI-driven optimization. Collaborating with partners like Qualcomm and TNO, Ericsson develops 6G proof-of-concept demonstrations, such as distributed machine learning, end-to-end extended reality, and sustainability- and trustworthy-oriented orchestration. Ericsson’s integration efforts ensure seamless operation across radio access networks, core networks, and edge computing.

The DETERMINISTIC6G consortium, funded by the EU, aims to develop stable, lag-free networks for critical applications, such as factory automation, autonomous vehicles, and telemedicine.  As Consortium Leader, Ericsson applies its expertise to integrate Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) and Deterministic Networking (DetNet) into 6G.

The Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA), established by India’s Department of Telecommunications, unites public and private entities to advance India’s 6G innovation. Through its ‘India 6G’ program, introduced in October 2023, Ericsson seeks to improve Radio, AI, and Cloud technologies, for sustainable, affordable, and ubiquitous connectivity.

The Ericsson Federal Technologies Group (EFTG), established in March 2024, supports the U.S. government’s digital infrastructure with advanced 5G technology, indispensable for national security and modernization. EFTG works with systems integrators and government bodies to address technological needs, drive innovation, and guide 6G standards.

6G academic collaborations

Ericsson collaborates with leading institutions like Princeton University, the University of Texas, Stanford, MIT, the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, IIT Madras, the U.S. National Science Foundation, and UC Berkeley to advance 6G research in areas such as:

• Mobile XR (Extended Reality): Enhancing Augmented Reality (AR)/Virtual Reality (VR) experiences with 6G’s high data rates and low latency for interactive applications in education, healthcare, and entertainment.
• Zero-Energy IoT: Designing sustainable IoT devices powered by environmental energy, facilitating long-term deployment in smart cities, agriculture and beyond.
• Distributed Edge Computing: Reducing data processing delays by bringing computing closer to users, supporting real-time applications like autonomous driving and telemedicine.
• High-Frequency Communication: Exploring faster, more reliable connections to handle the massive increase of connected devices in the 6G era.

 Demonstrating Ericsson’s leadership

Following years of 6G research and prototype development, Ericsson showcased its progress at the Mobile World Congress in 2023 (MWC23) and in 2024 (MWC24). In 2023, Ericsson introduced  “6G straight from our Labs” demonstrations, highlighting its leadership in 6G vision, global alignment, and readiness to realize 6G ahead of competitors.

Live demos showed in 2023 included:

• A 6G RAN prototype with real-time digital twins of radios and propagation environments.
• Technology components for 6G radios in the cmWave spectrum (7–15 GHz), essential for future networks.
• A sub-Terahertz (92–100 GHz) 6G RAN system prototype showcasing >100 Gbps throughput for high-performance local areas.
• Zero-energy device integration, such as sensors in textiles, illustrating possibilities for countless connected devices.

Ericsson provided four more 6G demos at MWC 2024:

1. CmWave Testbed: A live showcase of advanced hardware in live operation using the emerging 6G spectrum.
2. 6G Performance: Visualizing performance of 6G network deployments leveraging existing and new spectrum, in a network digital twin application.
3. Ultra-Low Power AI: An end-to-end prototype using ultra-low power AI technologies across devices, networks, and links.
4. Dynamic Compute Offload: A Mixed Reality use case utilizing network APIs for adaptive device compute offloading in real-time environments.

Ericsson also showed how 6G network capabilities, such as limitless connectivity, cognitive networks, compute fabric, and trustworthy systems, will support future use cases.

6G's expected advancements in lower latency, higher bandwidth, and greater processing power position it as the ideal network infrastructure to transform industries on an unprecedented scale. The 2030s will witness a convergence of the physical and digital worlds, where cyber-physical interactions will progressively become an integral part of everyday life.  

To bring this vision to reality, Ericsson is already today building networks that deliver enhanced connectivity, reliable systems, cognitive capabilities, and seamless integration of network and computing.  Through a coordinated and visionary approach, we are shaping 6G, leading critical projects and establishing a unified framework to accelerate its development.

At Ericsson we remain deeply committed to innovation. We are developing and creating technologies that will form the foundation of the future 6G standard. Once 6G technology activities officially begin at 3GPP and other standardization bodies, we plan to contribute these technologies. This will continue our legacy as a key contributor to every generation of cellular standards, including 6G. Further, our commitment to FRAND licensing allows the innovation cycle to keep going, fostering both technological progress and global economic growth.

Join us as we make the unimaginable possible.