Verizon identifies uplink, spectrum and standards hurdles on road to 6G

Verizon CTO Iago Tenorio outlined key challenges for the transition from 5G Advanced to commercial 6G: rising uplink traffic from AI wearables, spectrum shortages for ISAC, and risk of standards fragmentation. The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are a test target, with commercial launch by 2030.

• AI glasses and wearables require constant uplink video and telemetry
• 6G should reduce device power consumption up to 10 times
• ISAC needs spectrum blocks around 400 MHz per operator in mid-band
• Verizon calls for a unified 3GPP standard with Open RAN from day one