Industry leaders drive 6G innovation and ecosystem readiness as the industry gears up for the next generation of mobile technology
Ericsson is ramping up efforts to build the 6G ecosystem through strategic partnerships with leading device and chipmakers Apple and MediaTek. At Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona, March 2–5, Ericsson and its partners will deliver live demos showing advancements in pre-standard 5G and 6G spectrum sharing and 6G prototype systems. By working closely with industry partners, Ericsson is driving innovation and interoperability in next-generation connectivity, empowering communications service providers (CSPs) and the industry to gear up for the future of mobile networks.
Ericsson’s work with Apple and MediaTek represents an ecosystem approach to developing, validating, and demonstrating essential 6G capabilities. All three companies are committed to the transition to 6G, building on robust 3GPP standards to ensure that the new generation of mobile networks is scalable, open, and ready to meet the evolving demands of AI-driven applications.
Apple: Multi-RAT spectrum sharing
Ericsson and Apple will have a live demonstration of Multi-RAT Spectrum Sharing (MRSS) between 5G and 6G. This solution will help CSPs with smooth 5G to 6G migration and coexistence, minimizing resource waste and signaling overhead. The demo will use two systems running proof of concept technology – one on 5G and one simulating 6G that are connected to an Ericsson base station operating in Time Division Duplex (TDD) mid-band – validating real-time interoperability and performance of MRSS.
MediaTek: Data call on 6G centimeter-wave
Ericsson will also have a demo with MediaTek that shows how 6G cm-wave can meet the increased data demands from new applications and future devices. These include AI-enhanced extended reality (XR) and low-latency applications, supported by early prototype systems built around ongoing 3GPP standardization and anticipated 6G features.
The prototype system integrates an Ericsson Radio Access Network (RAN) and a MediaTek user equipment (UE) prototype, comprising radios and baseband processing up to the IP layer. The demo includes a conducted data call and highlights contention-based buffer status reporting. This is a new 6G feature that significantly reduces latency at scale, crucial for widespread adoption of AI-enhanced XR and other demanding applications.
Industry impact: standards, ecosystem building, and future readiness
With the 6G journey underway – built on foundational elements like 5G Standalone, 5G Advanced, and open network APIs – efficient 5G/6G spectrum sharing prepares the industry for a smooth, cost-effective migration.
6G networks will be built on the foundation of 3GPP standards, complemented by O-RAN Alliance specifications, to enable open and globally scalable platforms for innovation. As work in 3GPP progresses, with first implementable specifications targeted for 2029 and commercial readiness expected around 2030, early collaborations with device and chipset partners like Apple and MediaTek are crucial for building the 6G ecosystem and ensuring network and device interoperability.
By validating technical concepts, demonstrating interoperable systems, and advancing key features, these collaborative efforts are advancing the industry’s journey towards 6G. These serve as building blocks that will prepare CSPs and the industry as a whole for seamless, cost-effective migration and unlocking new opportunities for AI-driven services.
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