Introduction to 6G and the Future of Wireless Networks Training Course

Introduction to 6G: Vision and Driving Factors

• Historical perspective: the journey from 1G to 6G and key turning points
• Strategic imperatives: latency, capacity, reliability, and ubiquitous AI
• High-level timeline and key development stakeholders

From 5G to 6G: Key Differences and Evolution

• Addressing 5G limitations that 6G is designed to overcome
• The transition to AI-native networks and distributed intelligence
• Synthesising sensing, communication, and control functions

Enabling Technologies

• Terahertz (THz) communications and associated propagation challenges
• Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) and advanced antenna systems
• Evolution of Massive MIMO, full-duplex radios, and photonics integration
• Network AI, distributed learning, and intent-driven network orchestration

Spectrum, Standards, and Policy Considerations

• Spectrum requirements for 6G and issues of international coordination
• The role of standards bodies, research initiatives, and public–private collaboration
• Regulatory impacts regarding privacy, coexistence, and safety

Architectures and Cloud-Native Network Design

• The edge, fog, and cloud continuum for 6G services
• Service-based architectures, network slicing, and programmable infrastructure
• Interoperability with legacy systems and multi-cloud environments

Use Cases and Industry Verticals

• Extended reality (XR), holographic communications, and immersive collaboration
• Industry 4.0, digital twins, and the tactile internet in manufacturing
• Autonomous systems, V2X, and mission-critical mobility solutions
• Smart cities, healthcare, and environmental sensing applications

Security, Privacy, and Ethical Considerations

• Threat models for ultra-connected systems and supply chain risks
• Data governance, privacy-preserving communications, and trust frameworks
• Ethical and societal implications of pervasive sensing and AI

Deployment Challenges and Business Impact

• Infrastructure investment, business models, and total cost of ownership
• Interoperability, vendor ecosystems, and risks of vendor lock-in
• Workforce skills, organisational readiness, and change management

Workshop: Organizational 6G Readiness and Roadmap

• Identifying priority use cases and pilot opportunities
• Assessing gaps in infrastructure, skills, and data readiness
• Drafting a 6–18 month pilot and stakeholder engagement plan

Summary and Next Steps