Discussion on a shift to 6G is gaining momentum, led by equipment makers. Telecom operators agree on the need but are cautious about actual investment, showing a gap in views.

Industry sources said on Monday that at Mobile World Congress 2026 (MWC26), which recently ended in Barcelona, global telecom equipment makers signalled the start of the 6G era. They agreed that 6G would be a key element in combining artificial intelligence (AI) and communications. They also said 6G is essential to building an 'AI-native network' that integrates AI into networks.

They also presented specific commercialization timelines. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon (크리스티아노 아몬) said in a keynote speech that 6G would be commercialized in 2029. Qualcomm launched a strategic cooperation body at MWC to develop 6G and promote its global expansion with major global companies. Ericsson also introduced multi-radio system frequency sharing (MRSS) technology at its booth to deliver 6G services using existing 5G spectrum, as the shift to 6G accelerates.

Unlike the expectations of equipment makers, telecom operators took a somewhat different stance. While they agree on the need for 6G itself, they are cautious about the timing and speed of actual investment. Major global operators, including South Korean carriers, also appeared at MWC to draw a line against rushing to expand 6G investment. They judged it was premature to invest, with international standards not yet finalized and specific use cases not yet emerging.

Jeong Seok-geun (정석근), chief technology officer at SK Telecom, also took a reserved stance on a rapid push to 6G in an on-site interview at MWC26. "I understand that (6G technology) is still in the research and development stage," he said. "We need to find use cases. It seems there is something to verify technically and business-wise," he added.

Such caution is rooted in past experience. In the transition from LTE to 5G, operators made massive facility investments, but many assessments say they failed to generate the level of profit they had expected. In particular, analyses say 5G delivered limited clear profit growth or expansion of new services relative to the cost of building facilities.

An additional burden is 5G standalone mode (SA), which has yet to be fully built out. The Ministry of Science and ICT announced reallocation conditions for a total 370 MHz of 3G and LTE spectrum and made a shift to 5G SA mandatory. With cost burdens arising from this, the industry broadly sees a shift to 6G as a lower priority.

A telecommunications industry official said, "We have not yet recouped 5G investment, and starting 6G investment again is a big burden." "From the perspective of equipment makers, they may need a new market, but telecom operators have no choice but to consider return on investment first," the official said.

Another variable is the technology standardization process. Discussions on 6G standards are under way, centered on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and others, but full standard specifications have not yet been finalized. Drawing up equipment procurement or network investment roadmaps before standards are established could be premature.

The industry sees a strong possibility that this gap in expectations between equipment makers and telecom operators over a shift to 6G will continue until around 2030. While equipment makers actively stress 6G transition to develop technology and secure early market positions, an analysis says operators will coordinate investment timing.

Another industry official said, "This year's MWC26 is meaningful in that 6G discussion has begun in earnest." "Over the next few years, industry 고민 over investment timing will continue along with 6G technology discussions," the official said.