• Ericsson’s vision for 6G centres on an “intelligent fabric”.
• Would allow networks to process data and act in real time.

The transition to 6G is becoming clear as telecom companies move beyond early research and begin testing how future networks might work in practice. At Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2026, Ericsson outlined its vision for the future: a network built as an “intelligent fabric,” with artificial intelligence embedded in every layer not added on later.

Ericsson is positioning 6G as a system that combines connectivity and AI into one structure. Networks would not move data, but also process and respond to it in real time.

Current networks rely on AI tools that are often added as separate systems. Ericsson’s approach places AI directly inside the network, from radio access to the core, in radios, transport systems, and network management.

This could allow networks to adjust themselves and improve performance, while reducing energy use without constant manual input. It also ties into growing demand from AI workloads, which require faster response times and more efficient data handling.

Ericsson’s roadmap does not jump straight to 6G, but starts with existing technologies like 5G Standalone and 5G Advanced. Such systems act as the base for adding more AI-driven features over time to support use cases like industrial data processing, extended reality (XR), and “physical AI”. These use cases require networks that can handle high data volumes with low latency.

Ericsson’s efforts are closely tied to a wider group of partners. At MWC 2026, the company highlighted work with firms like Intel, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, and MediaTek. Work with Intel looks at combining compute and cloud systems for AI-driven networks. Efforts with NVIDIA aim to embed AI in radio and core systems. Qualcomm and MediaTek are involved in testing early 6G device and radio abilities.

Ericsson is also contributing to open-source efforts through the Linux Foundation, where it is helping develop software frameworks for radio access networks.

Early tests and prototypes

At MWC, Ericsson and Qualcomm tested physical-layer features for 6G, including experiments in the 6-8 GHz range. The tests explored how future networks might improve uplink performance. Another demonstration involved Ericsson and MediaTek completing a data call using a 6G test-bed and a prototype device. The test aimed to show how new features could reduce latency and support data-heavy applications like XR.

Ericsson also worked with Apple to demonstrate spectrum sharing between 5G and a simulated 6G system to show how operators might transition between generations without wasting network resources.

A timeline starting to form

Ericsson points to a roadmap shaped in part by a coalition with Qualcomm and other partners, targeting initial commercial systems around 2029 and broader deployment closer to 2030.

The aligns with work by standards bodies like the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), which is expected to release early 6G specifications later in the decade. The work includes testing hardware and refining software, while ensuring systems from different vendors can work together.

As networks evolve, they are not being designed only for communication, but to support AI systems that require constant data processing and fast response times.

Erik Ekudden, Group Chief Technology Officer at Ericsson, described this transition in a statement shared during the event: “We are already on the journey toward an intelligent fabric, and it is happening right now. With clear proof points in the entire network, we are proving that a fully AI-powered network is not a distant ability five years out. By bringing intelligence into every domain today, we are giving the industry the foundation it needs to scale the next generation of AI.”

6G and telecom operators

Preparation for 6G has already begun. Much of the groundwork involves upgrading existing networks to support more automation and AI.

Ericsson notes that technologies like network APIs, 5G Standalone, and 5G Advanced are already part of this process. The systems may help operators move toward more autonomous networks over time. This change raises new challenges. Operators will need to manage more complex systems, handle larger volumes of data, and ensure that AI-driven processes remain reliable.

6G is likely to emerge through a series of upgrades and integrations over the next several years. Ericsson’s concept of an intelligent fabric combines AI and connectivity with compute into a unified system that can respond to changing demands. For now, the work remains in testing and collaboration, with commercial deployment still a few years away.

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