Shaping the Foundations of 6G: A New Chapter in System Architecture
Hi! I'm Malla from DOCOMO Euro-Labs. At the 3GPP SA Plenary #108 held in Prague in June 2024, I had the honor of witnessing and contributing to a pivotal step forward for our industry. The Study Item on 6G System Architecture was officially approved, marking the beginning of a collaborative global effort to shape the foundation of tomorrow’s networks. This is a pivotal step in shaping the future of connectivity. I’m deeply humbled and honored to share that I’ve been appointed as the Primary Rapporteur for this important study. This role reflects not just my personal commitment to standardization, but also acknowledges the trust and credibility that my team at DOCOMO Euro-Labs has earned within the global R&D community.
Disclaimer: The 6G System Architecture Study is an ongoing collaborative effort involving a wide range of global stakeholders. As the work progresses, proposals and priorities may evolve to reflect emerging technologies, market needs, and collective insights of the community. This post reflects the current status and views as of mid-2025 and aims to provide an informative overview without prejudging future developments.
What It Means to Be a Rapporteur
In the world of international standards, a Rapporteur is responsible for initiating and leading a Study or Work Item. That means preparing proposals, coordinating discussions, balancing differing viewpoints, and building consensus across a highly diverse set of 3GPP stakeholders including 3GPP member companies, industry experts, and global contributors, from various regions, sectors, and technical backgrounds. As Rapporteur for the 6G System Architecture study, my task is to guide the early technical and conceptual discussions, working closely with global experts to align on core principles, architectural directions, and service requirements. It’s a role that demands both deep technical thinking and an open, inclusive mindset.
My Personal Commitment
Serving in this capacity is a privilege I don’t take lightly. I’m deeply grateful for the trust extended to me by the leadership of SA and SA2, and for the collaboration and encouragement I continue to receive from 3GPP member companies and contributors.
My goal is to create space for open, constructive, and respectful dialogue, o bring people together across geographies, sectors, and perspectives to shape a shared foundation for 6G. For me, standardization is not just about technical specs. It’s about building understanding, aligning visions, and creating common ground that reflects the diversity and dynamism of our global community.
The Role of SA2 in Shaping 6G
The SA2 working group, where this study is anchored, is responsible for the system architecture of mobile networks. From laying the groundwork for the service-based architecture in 5G to tackling the ambitious goals of 6G, SA2 plays a central role in ensuring our networks remain interoperable, scalable, and forward-compatible. At SA2 Meeting #169 in Fukuoka, we began preparing with early inputs on use cases, technology trends, and initial architectural concepts. With the formal kickoff now behind us, we’re targeting completion date no later than March 2027. At the 3GPP SA2 meeting held in Sweden last week, I had the honor of leading the discussions from the podium as the session chair of the 6G study.
A Message from Our CEO
Our CEO, Mr. Itsuma Tanaka, summed it up perfectly: “Our commitment to open, sustainable, and forward-looking networks includes active engagement in global standardization. We’re proud to see our researchers take on leadership roles that contribute to the industry’s collective progress. 6G is not only about performance, it’s about enabling new value for society. Through collaboration, we can build a global platform that benefits everyone.”
Why 6G Standardization Matters
- Industrial Enablement: 6G will unlock new possibilities across industries, from digital twins and autonomous systems to AI-native applications, and ambient intelligence. All of these require a robust and forward-thinking architectural foundation.
- Global Coordination: A unified 6G standard is essential to achieve seamless interoperability, equitable access, and harmonized global deployment, ensuring that all regions can equally benefit from the technology.
- Strategic Leadership: This opportunity reflects not only my personal contributions but also Japan’s ongoing commitment to fostering open, inclusive, and forward-thinking global standards. It underscores our collective dedication to shaping the future of 6G through collaboration and shared vision.
The Role of DOCOMO Euro-Labs: Bridging Innovation and Standards
As the European hub of NTT DOCOMO, DOCOMO Euro-Labs plays a critical role in bridging cutting-edge research with real-world standardization. We’re deeply involved in 3GPP, ETSI/NFV, and O-RAN, and are committed to ensuring that emerging technologies are integrated smoothly into global telecom infrastructure. As this 6G architecture study progresses, I’ll continue to work closely with our team and global peers to support early Proof of Concepts, cross-regional collaboration, and initial implementation activities, turning concepts into practical value.
At DOCOMO Euro-Labs, we also run a YouTube channel. This channel, operated by our research hub specializing in telecommunications standardization and next-generation network technologies, dives into the latest developments in 5G, 6G, Open RAN, and global standardization efforts shaping the future. From cutting-edge use cases to behind-the-scenes insights, our aim is to make complex communications topics easier to understand, more insightful, and even a little fun through explainer videos, interviews, and backstage stories.
Whether you are a technology strategist, a fellow researcher, or simply curious about the future of connectivity, this channel is for you. Join us in exploring the technologies that will define tomorrow’s networks. We’d be delighted if you could watch, subscribe, and give us a thumbs-up!
Looking Ahead
The 6G System Architecture Study is a living, collaborative effort involving a global ecosystem of stakeholders. As the study evolves, our proposals and priorities will also adapt to emerging technologies, shifting market demands, and new insights. For now, I simply want to express my gratitude, for the opportunity to serve, for the partnerships that make this work possible, and for the shared ambition that binds us together. Standardization is not a solo endeavor. It is, and always has been, a collective process, one rooted in mutual respect, technical integrity, and a shared vision for the future. With that spirit, I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you. Let’s build the future—together.
Malla Reddy Sama
Primary Rapporteur, 6G System Architecture Study
Head of the 3GPP SA Delegation
Manager, Core Network Group
DOCOMO Euro-Labs
