Report: AI uncertainty drives MNOs call for 6G flexibility
February 19, 2026
The rapid advancement of AI is accelerating new services and capabilities across the mobile ecosystem, placing fresh demands on future networks as 6G standardisation begins. At the same time, the pace and diversity of AI-driven use cases reinforce the need for flexibility in how future network standards are defined.
In its latest publication, AI Surge and its Implications for 6G, the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGMN) outlines an operator-driven view on how AI-related requirements should be addressed in the evolution towards 6G. The publication consolidates mobile network operators’ perspectives on how AI may impact 6G standardisation and provides guidance to support ongoing 6G studies within 3GPP. It examines three key dimensions: the impact of AI-driven traffic on networks, network capabilities required to support AI-based services, and the role of AI as an enabler for future network architecture evolution.
“As 6G standardisation enters a critical phase, the rapid growth of AI and AI agents presents both opportunities and challenges for mobile network operators,” said Laurent Leboucher, Chairman of the NGMN Alliance Board and Orange Group CTO and EVP Networks. “Given the variety of future AI use cases and applications, it is essential that 6G standards enable adaptability without forcing disruptive architectural changes. Flexibility will be critical to accommodate evolving AI use cases across devices, networks and regions.”
The publication emphasises that, while AI will play a central role in future networks, 6G should not be treated as a clean-slate redesign. Instead, NGMN advocates an evolutionary approach that builds on existing 5G architectures, ensuring interoperability, operational simplicity and long-term investment protection.
“The rapid evolution of large-scale AI models is driving a shift towards an increasingly AI-native environment,” said Takki Yu, NGMN Board Director and VP Head of Network Tech Office at SK Telecom. “To support this transformation, networks will need to progressively introduce AI-enabled capabilities such as intent-driven programmability, autonomous operation and dynamic compute distribution across edge and central domains. By aligning early on key standardisation priorities, the industry can ensure that 6G evolves in a flexible, sustainable and value-driven manner.”
To guide this evolution, NGMN outlines key 6G objectives and architectural design principles that balance innovation with operational and business realities. These include flexibility, sustainability, trustworthiness, cloud-native design, automation, smooth migration from existing networks, and a disaggregated, multi-vendor ecosystem.
“The proliferation of AI use cases, particularly those with autonomous, task-driven capabilities, is rapidly reshaping how networks are built and operated,” said Anita Döhler, CEO of the NGMN Alliance. “As the industry accelerates toward the next era of connectivity, NGMN is sharpening its focus on future network evolution emphasising flexibility to accommodate AI-driven evolution for 6G.”
Other posts by :
- Bank: AST SpaceMobile will orbit 356 satellites by 2030
- SpaceX launches 600th rocket
- Starlink: 10m customers and counting
- SES predicts end of ‘big’ Geo satellites
- Amazon Leo gets approval for 4,504 extra satellites
- SpaceX gets a portion of India
- TerreStar wants to build LEO network
- Musk: “No Starlink phone”
- Russia accused of eavesdropping on satellites