The debate around 6G is shifting from speed to business value. At the recent RCR Wireless 6G Forum, speakers focused on monetization after 2030. The central message was clear. Operators must sell outcomes, automation, and intelligence, not just faster connections.
Rana Kamill of BT said uncertainty remains around future revenue models. She noted it is “still not 100% certain” which use cases will succeed. She also said nearly one thousand ideas have reached the 3GPP SA1 group.
Kamill framed the challenge in simple terms. “5G improved connectivity, but we believe that 6G should improve experiences. So AI-powered services, seamless connectivity that works anywhere, anytime, with the performance that the user needs. So the industry must start with a business problem, not just the technology,” she said.
One major candidate is integrated sensing and communications, or ISAC. This approach lets mobile networks sense objects while carrying data. Kamill said the network could detect drones, vehicles, and people.
That idea attracts strong interest from defense, industry, and infrastructure operators. Stephen Douglas of Keysight Technologies called sensing a dominant research area. He highlighted drone detection and robotics as early targets.
Importantly, operators may not need to wait for full 6G. Douglas said companies can build business cases on current 5G networks. 5G Advanced could support early sensing services before 6G standards arrive.
A recent example came from Verizon, Lockheed Martin, NVIDIA, ODC, and Astris AI. The group tested NetSense, an airspace awareness service. It detected unmanned aircraft without changing existing cellular radio deployments.
However, the standards debate remains sensitive. Gus Anderson of Lockheed Martin favored market demand first. “If we wait for 3GPP to come out with a standard and then we follow, we’re going to … have something that’s cumbersome and does a lot of things and doesn’t solve any of our problems,” Anderson said.
Martin Weiss from the US Department of Defense backed a light standards approach. He argued companies should “standardise what you must,” and avoid unnecessary complexity.
Still, technical hurdles remain. Daniel Bliss of Arizona State University pointed to interference, resolution, and signal range issues. These problems matter when networks sense objects in busy environments.
Beyond sensing, speakers flagged other revenue paths. These included digital twins, industrial fixed wireless, resilient communications, and non-terrestrial networks. Jaydee Griffith of the Next G Alliance said private 6G networks may appeal to utilities.
Preeti Nagarajan of Ericsson highlighted Physical AI. This covers robots, drones, and connected machines. They need strong uplink, low delay, and accurate positioning. “Physical AI is probably my most favorite use case, and I’m definitely rooting for it to leave the building,” she quipped.
For telecom operators, the message is practical. 6G must solve real problems and create measurable value. Otherwise, it risks repeating the monetization struggles of earlier mobile generations.
