6G is emerging not as a flashy leap in hardware, but instead as an economic and architectural transformation. With no new waveform, no sweeping “rip-out-and-replace” upgrade, 6G will evolve on top of existing infrastructure through software upgrades and AI-native designs.
That shift changes everything, according to longtime industry strategist Vish Nandlall. In the latest episode of Unmuted, he argues that instead of chasing lofty peak-speed headlines, operators and vendors must decide which 6G innovations will actually reduce costs — and which might pay off. It’s no longer about the tech’s capabilities, but about delivering value through things like smarter spectrum use, better efficiency, and enterprise-grade services.
At its core, 6G faces a tougher question than “what can it do?” — the question is “what does it solve, and who pays for it?” Unless it finds a real hook beyond the hype, 6G may struggle to earn its place. “6G needs a problem that needs to be solved at [a] global scale,” Nandlall said — otherwise, monetization will remain elusive.
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Catherine Sbeglia Nin
Managing Editor
RCR Wireless News
RCR Top Stories
Nokia goes west: The timing of Nokia’s announcements last week about continuing European reductions and increasing U.S. investments is awkward — and raises questions, when considered with parallel EU calls in Germany and France.
The 6G plot hole: The telecom industry is already deep into 6G conversations, but on this episode of Unmuted, longtime industry strategist Vish Nandlall says the narrative is missing a cornerstone: a compelling economic reason for 6G to exist.
LG Uplus resets for 2026: LG Uplus is restructuring for 2026, separating business and product units, strengthening AX development, and creating a new AX group under network operations.
Samsung taps LG affiliate: Samsung has added LB Semicon to its chip-testing network for handling post-processing of the flagship Exynos 2600 chips, signaling a wider rollout of the Galaxy S26 series.
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Beyond the Headlines
Wi-Fi 8 needs 6 GHz: As AI-heavy devices proliferate, Wi-Fi 8 introduces several features that require a wide, low-interference spectrum to function as intended, including Multi-AP Coordination, uplink enhancements, and low-latency roaming.
Sponsored Wi-Fi 8 isn’t about speed: Wi-Fi 8 disrupts the industry’s core pitch: no new top speed. For MediaTek, its real value lies in intelligence, reliability, and AI-era performance across dense, multi-device, uplink-drive networks.
Plug-and-play private 5G: Private 5G has long promised Wi-Fi-like simplicity for industrial networks. At the Industrial Wireless Forum, Moso Networks and partners Druid Software and X2nSat argued that this promise has finally arrived.
Agentic AI key to telco reinvention: Customers will expect faster, more personalized services. This industry expert argues that agentic AI is essential for meeting these pressures and instantly scaling operations.
Sponsored Do you know what Q-Day is?: We’re gathering expert perspectives on the quantum-safe landscape. Add your voice by taking our brief survey — we’d greatly appreciate it!
What We're Reading
TRAI slashes spectrum fees: India’s TRAI is reportedly planning up to a 50% cut in backhaul spectrum prices, a move that could sharply reduce operator costs and save the country’s telecom companies hundreds of crores annually.
New rules, bigger telco costs: New regulations outlined in a recent GSMA cybersecurity-regulation impact report could reshape mobile-operator compliance costs, network security demands, and the future of connectivity.
LEO IoT constellation takes flight: Rapidtek Technologies has successfully launched its 8U IoT CubeSat Black Kite‑1 with the Taiwan Space Agency, the first step toward a full LEO IoT constellation.
Spain demands telecom backups: Spain is demanding telecom firms build backup infrastructure to prevent future nationwide service outages — a move that may redefine network-resilience standards across Europe.
Homegrown AI system: Ukraine is pushing ahead with an independent AI system developed with open-source tech in a bold bet on homegrown AI infrastructure amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Chunghwa upgrades network: Chunghwa Telecom is enhancing its network infrastructure through new equipment purchases from Ericsson — a strategic upgrade signaling stronger connectivity and readiness for next-gen services.
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The journey to a fully autonomous network – The evolution of network automation and how Amdocs is leading the way
