WILMINGTON, DE — InterDigital, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDCC), in partnership with ABI Research, has released a new report outlining how emerging global standards will define the transition from 5G-Advanced to 6G intelligent networks. The report, “The Bridge to 6G: Spotlight on 3GPP Release 20,” positions the upcoming standards milestone as a critical step toward realizing the next generation of connected, AI-driven ecosystems.
Release 20, developed under the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), represents both the commercial peak of 5G and the technical foundation for 6G. The specification introduces several advancements — including AI-native architectures, Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC), and non-terrestrial networks (NTN) — that are expected to redefine global connectivity and digital experiences.
“Release 20 is the industry’s bridge between generations, leveraging a decade of 5G innovation and maturity into a launchpad for a smarter, more sustainable, and commercially viable 6G,” said Rajesh Pankaj, Chief Technology Officer at InterDigital. “Our teams contribute extensive expertise and leadership in areas like ISAC and AI-native radio access networks to help shape more intelligent, efficient, and capable networks and new services under 6G.”
According to the report, AI-native networks will be central to 6G, embedding intelligence across every layer of the communications stack. Release 20 also introduces early frameworks for ISAC — systems capable of sensing motion, distance, and environmental context — and continues to advance NTN technologies that link satellite and terrestrial systems for global, low-latency coverage.
Sustainability is also a core design principle. The report highlights Release 20’s emphasis on energy efficiency, targeting as much as a 100-fold reduction in energy use per bit transmitted through AI-optimized, carbon-aware network management.
“6G is being shaped by a more diverse set of stakeholders,” said Dimitris Mavrakis, Senior Research Director at ABI Research. “From legacy innovators to hyper-scalers to AI pioneers, the consensus-driven approach behind Release 20 ensures that 6G will be more inclusive, resilient, and responsive to global market demands.”
The report envisions 6G networks as intelligent ecosystems that will power ambient IoT, immersive extended reality (XR), and autonomous industrial systems. By blending communications with sensing, analytics, and AI, future networks will move beyond connectivity — becoming adaptive platforms that enable real-time decision-making, automation, and advanced digital experiences across industries.
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