The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has announced the formation of a new Industry Specification Group (ISG) for 6G mobile networks, focusing on Multiple Access Techniques (MAT). This initiative underlines the importance of consensus on advanced access methods, aligning with 3GPP specifications.
The objective is to explore new techniques like Orthogonal and Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access, Spatial Division Multiple Access, and Rate-Splitting Multiple Access. These methods aim to improve transmission efficiency, spectrum utilization, power efficiency, and user fairness.
Importantly, the group will address different environments such as indoor hotspots, urban macro areas, and rural settings. The initial focus will be downlink multiple access techniques for 3GPP radio interfaces.
The formal launch occurred in London, with 24 industry, academic, and governmental participants attending the meeting. “Multiple Access Techniques lie at the heart of mobile technology evolution and are a key enabler for enhancing the radio interface of IMT-2030 systems,” stated David Vargas, chair of the new group. He emphasized the collaborative effort to advance MAT for 6G systems.
The group’s activities will encompass defining use cases, evaluating performance, and investigating physical layer procedures. They will also assess the potential impact on specifications and identify development gaps.
Moreover, the group plans to share reports with 3GPP and other industry bodies, contributing to 6G standardization. The initiative aims to develop 6G as a versatile communication system, connecting humans and machines and enhancing wireless networks to improve performance in high-demand areas.
ETSI believes this move aligns with future needs, promising new immersive experiences and efficient media delivery over mobile networks.