Next G Alliance/ Korean 6G Forum Joint Workshop

In addition to the technical and policy-related initiatives of ATIS' Next G Alliance (NGA), which you will read about in this newsletter, forging global cooperation to advance North American priorities is also a focus. To advance industry goals in this area, the NGA recently welcomed delegates from Korea’s 6G Forum to a two-day meeting at ATIS' Washington, DC headquarters.

Together, the two groups addressed topics critical to 6G's future, including the migration from 5G to 6G, 6G technology, verticals and applications, spectrum, sustainability and more. This work builds on the principles set forth in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both parties to further their mutual goals of advancing cooperation in next-generation mobile communications. Both ATIS and Korea's 6G Forum ended the meetings looking forward to continued collaboration.

In early 2024, ATIS, the North American voice for 6G, and the 6G Industry Association (6G-IA), the private member of the EU Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU), published the “EU-US Beyond 5G/6G Roadmap” — a major first step in affirming the two regions’ commitment to collaborating in the development of 6G networks. The document, available at https://6g-ia.eu/plans-papers/ and https://nextgalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/EU-US-Aligned-6G-Roadmap-Joint-Paper.pdf, contains a set of key strategic observations and recommendations for 6G networks and services, capturing the views and priorities from the Next G Alliance and the SNS JU. It offers a candidate roadmap for future opportunities through EU and US funding. It also aims to provide directions for collaboration opportunities that will go beyond the scope of funding, assisting the academic and business stakeholders between the two sides of the Atlantic to identify mutually beneficial opportunities.

To deliver insight into the future of 6G basic radio technologies, the NGA has developed the 6G Radio Technology Part I: Basic Radio Technologies and Part II reports. The evolutionary and revolutionary changes in basic radio technologies detailed within are the most fundamental aspects of next-generation cellular systems that will have a direct impact on key performance indicators (KPIs). Insights delivered will play a critical role in North American 6G technology leadership.

Next-generation systems will enable distributed sensors and communication networks to implement a tightly integrated exchange of data allowing complete systems of sensors to work together. These will provide the network with critical analytics to upgrade configurations and improve performance. Working independently and in tandem, these systems will enable new user capabilities.

In this “self-optimizing” environment, security, safety and autonomous applications can thrive. AI/ML models can be trained to support this evolution. The NGA's Distributed Sensing and Communications report highlights the transformative role of 6G technology in enhancing integrated sensing and communication systems. Innovations covered are poised to establish ubiquitous connectivity facilitated by emerging network services. The goal is to enable massive, creative and value-driven sensor and data collection opportunities for the industry.

Experts from ATIS’ Next G Alliance deliver insight into this topic critical to achieving North American climate action goals in the 6G future.

ATIS’ Next G Alliance Green G Working Group recently published the Evolution of Sustainability Indicators for Next Generation Radio Network Technologies white paper. It provides operational KPIs that can guide the information and communications industry in benchmarking progress toward achieving its sustainability and climate action goals — critical as the industry works to build environmental sustainability into the product lifecycle. In this NGA webinar, the authors hold an interactive discussion on the white paper’s critical takeaways, including:

• Key sustainability indicators essential for reaching Net Zero emissions
• Technological enablers critical for transitioning to sustainability native 6G
• Importance of observability, choice and circular economy for implementing key sustainability indicators

Access the archived proceedings for Key Sustainability Indicators for Next Generation Radio Network Technologies.

Surveying North America's 6G Research Labs

Research shaping North American leadership in the 6G future.

ATIS' Next G Alliance (NGA) Research Council is conducting a comprehensive survey to map the landscape of 6G research labs in North America. The Research Council 6G Lab Survey will help to understand North American research capacity, identify unmet needs and highlight areas for potential collaboration.

If you're affiliated with a North American research lab studying topics in line with shaping the Next G Future, we invite you to contribute by completing our survey here: https://www.nextgalliance.org/research-council/north-american-6g-research-lab-survey/. And, please forward this survey to any related educational institutions you may know of working in the 6G space.

Forthcoming from the Next G Alliance

• A new report, Spectrum Needs for 6G, from the Spectrum Working Group.
• A Green G Working Group analysis of Data Centers and Core KPIs.
• An Applications Working Group report, Video Codecs for 6G Machine-Type Communications: Improving the Quality of Critical Application Roles.

ATIS remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing North American leadership in shaping the standards landscape worldwide. Here are some of our recent accomplishments to advance industry goals in the policy arena.

ATIS filed comments in response to NIST’s Request for Information seeking public comment on the National Standards Strategy. ATIS underscores the critical role of fostering robust U.S. engagement in international standards to drive innovation, interoperability, and economic competitiveness on a global scale. By advocating for comprehensive strategies that incentivize private sector involvement, prioritize market-driven approaches and streamline visa processes, ATIS is making critical contributions toward promoting U.S. preeminence in international standards.

ATIS also issued a statement of support for the Promoting United States Leadership in Standards Act of 2024, introduced by Senators Warner and Blackburn. This legislation echoes ATIS' dedication to enhancing American leadership in international standards by addressing barriers to hosting such meetings in the U.S.

Building upon its commitment to advance North American leadership in 6G technology, the Next G Alliance (NGA) has been actively engaged in facilitating international collaboration efforts. Tasked by the E.U.-U.S. Technology and Trade Council to collaborate with its European counterpart, the 6G Industry Association (6G-IA), the NGA achieved a significant milestone with the publication of the "EU-US Beyond 5G/6G Roadmap," mentioned earlier in this newsletter.

Furthermore, the NGA has been actively engaged in shaping policy around key aspects of 6G technology, through filing comments responding to government requests for public input. The NGA’s comments submitted to the NTIA regarding the Implementation Plan for the National Spectrum Strategy, emphasize the critical role of collaborative efforts in spectrum access and management. And the NGA's response to the Request for Information on the National Spectrum Research and Development Plan underscores its commitment to advocating for coordinated investment and international collaboration in advancing 6G development.

ATIS Innovation Combats SIM Swap Fraud

An industry-first analysis to lead advancements in telecom security.

Posing significant risks to individuals, businesses and telecommunication providers alike, SIM swap fraud is a pressing concern in today’s digital landscape, prompting FCC intervention. The FCC has adopted a Report and Order implementing new rules to protect cell phone consumers from SIM swap and port-out fraud. Through these practices, malicious actors take control of consumers’ cell phones and gain unauthorized access to their mobile phone numbers. The result is identity theft which leads to compromised accounts, financial losses and personal privacy breaches.

To address this problem, ATIS has developed Enhancing Telecom Security through Self-Sovereign Identity: A Solution to SIM Swap Fraud, a report addressing the escalating threat of SIM swap fraud and introducing a cutting-edge ATIS solution to combat it leveraging the use of Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) technology.

With this new solutions-focused white paper, ATIS aims to empower both individuals and telecommunication providers with tools they need to safeguard against fraudulent activities. By harnessing the power of SSI, carriers can implement robust authentication mechanisms, safeguarding both customer identities and also the integrity of mobile communications overall.

ATIS Introduces Crypto Agility KPI Metrics for the Quantum Era

Revolutionizing cybersecurity preparedness.

The power of quantum computing could eventually compromise current encryption algorithms widely used by network operators. The solutions presented in ATIS' Strategic Framework for Crypto-Agility and Quantum Risk Assessment will help ensure communications and data in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry remain secure. This report introduces essential crypto-agility metrics that ICT organizations can use to proactively measure, assess and enhance their preparedness for the shift to quantum-safe cryptography.

Crypto-agility refers to an organization’s capacity to promptly and efficiently adapt its cryptographic strategies in response to emerging threats. As new cryptographic technologies emerge and potential vulnerabilities are discovered, organizations must be agile in transitioning to more secure cryptographic algorithms. The standardized crypto-agility metrics coupled with key performance indicators (KPIs) presented in this ATIS report offer organizations a structured and measurable approach to responding to quantum computing’s challenges.

New AI Network Applications Working Group

Exploring the transformative power of generative AI in the ICT industry.

 

Generative AI is bringing about a new era of innovation and efficiency in various sectors, with significant implications for the ICT industry. ATIS is leading a comprehensive study to explore how Generative AI can revolutionize telecom operations. The research has identified multiple AI applications throughout network systems, such as customer support, voice service protection, cognitive digital twins and several RAN use cases leveraging Generative AI. The team is also exploring industry efforts to adapt Large Language Models (LLMs) to wireless domain knowledge for fully autonomous reasoning. The study is expected to conclude by the end of Q3, pinpointing critical use cases for network integration, addressing essential gaps and offering strategic recommendations to accelerate AI deployment across our networks. Please contact ATIS Membership Director Rich Moran to participate in this groundbreaking work.



On April 3, ATIS gathered some of the top experts in this area to deliver insight into 3GPP Release 19 and 6G Planning. Speakers were Wanshi Chen, Qualcomm, 3GPP RAN Plenary Chair and Puneet Jain, Intel, 3GPP SA Plenary Chair. ATIS Principal Technologist Iain Sharp moderated the discussion.

This year, 3GPP is poised to finalize its specification efforts for Release 18, focusing on 5G Advanced systems. While making major progress in the development of Release 19. 3GPP also prepares for the transition to 6G standardization. In this webinar, experts provided a status update on Release 18 and a high-level summary of the timeline and planned content for 3GPP Release 19. Coverage included the status of the ongoing Release 19 study and work items. An introduction of the preparation for 6G in 3GPP is also provided.

To help bring trust back to the U.S. telephone network, the industry-run Secure Telephone Identity Governance Authority (STI-GA) built a caller ID authentication ecosystem for the U.S. based on the STIR/SHAKEN standards. That ecosystem now has approximately 1,300 participating providers. With an ever-greater number of providers using STIR/SHAKEN to authenticate the calls they are sending, it is of paramount importance that these providers understand how to do so properly. 

So that calls are correctly authenticated and attested to, the STI-GA has crafted various policies and definitions. These are designed to outline what is expected of all participants in and to protect the security and integrity of the STIR/SHAKEN ecosystem. With these policies and definitions as its guide, the STI-GA works cooperatively with enforcement authorities, such as the FCC and State Attorneys General. If the FCC removes a provider from its Robocall Mitigation Database (RMD), the STI-GA ensures that provider is removed from its own list of authorized providers, as RMD registration is one requirement for STIR/SHAKEN participation. 

Similarly, if, due to a complaint filed by a State’s Attorney General, the STI-GA finds that a provider has improperly attested to an illegally spoofed, fraudulent call, the STI-GA may, after communicating with the provider and determining that indeed the provider has acted improperly, will not correct its issues, remove the provider from the ecosystem.



The STI-GA policies are key to creating a framework where service providers can properly authenticate calls and end users can regain trust in the overall telephone system. Learn more at https://sti-ga.atis.org/.

In addition to our 6G work, Strategic Initiatives and other activities, ATIS Committees and Forums are addressing issues critical to the ICT industry's transformation:

AIDC

ATIS is pleased to inform interested parties that the Implementation Guide to Package Labeling (ATIS-0300006) has a contribution to add a required 2D bar code element to Unit Pack labels. This new 2D element titled “Packaged Item” would be the same exact bar code that is found physically applied to the packaged commodity. Furthermore, this document is being updated to include details such as the various label types found on packaging, which include expected labeling for anti-static bags. This work is intended to continue through the remainder of the year. If you are interested in joining this work, please contact us at aws_admin@atis.org or submit a request via AIDC’s contact form.

Industry Numbering Committee

INC is recognized as the industry’s only open forum for addressing and developing solutions for numbering issues. In 2023, the Numbering Administration Oversight Working Group (NAOWG) presented a report to the FCC entitled REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION ON THE FEASIBILITY OF INDIVIDUAL TELEPHONE NUMBER (ITN) POOLING TRIALS AND ALTERNATIVE MEANS FOR CONSERVING NUMBERING RESOURCES.  In the report, the NAOWG identified several options for conserving numbering resources. As part of its consideration to recommend requiring mandatory 10-digit dialing in all numbering plan areas, they requested that ATIS’ Industry Numbering Committee (INC) should review all unassignable special use NXX codes to determine if any can be released now and/or if nationwide 10-digit dialing is implemented.

The INC has reviewed its guidelines, and with their numbering expertise, evaluated the potential of several special use codes to be repurposed. The INC is currently finalizing a response. In summary, it will note that ATIS INC believes that, given the finite nature of NANP numbering resources, the reassignment or expanded use of codes such as 958, 959 and 700 (and potentially underutilized segments of the 555 code), could offer valuable relief to the numbering resource availability. 

IP-NNI Task Force

The Task Force has recently published Mechanism for Initial Cross-Border Signature-based Handling of Asserted information using toKENs (SHAKEN) (ATIS-1000087.v002). This work will enable the SHAKEN protocol, invaluable in mitigating unwanted robocalling in North America to be used more broadly.

Network Reliability Steering Committee

NRSC has filed Reply Comments in response to an FCC Notice of Proposed Rule Making related to the application of the Network Outage Reporting System (NORS). ATIS’ comments are focused on the proposals in the NPRM related to NORS application. In its comments, ATIS agrees with those commenters that note that there is no need for the Commission to adopt new outage reporting.

The Ordering and Billing Forum

The Ordering and Billing Forum (OBF) released the Access Service Ordering Guidelines (ASOG) Version 69, a major industry operations support resource. ASOG Version 69 includes an expansion of the REMARKS field on the Clarification/Notification Request (C/NR) to 450 alphanumeric characters. (Learn more at ATIS: OBF Issue 3664, ASOG: Expansion of CNR Remarks Field).

Packet Technologies and Systems Committee

PTSC has published the following standards:

• Emergency Telecommunications Service (ETS) Network Element Requirements for IMS-based Next Generation Network (NGN) Phase 2 (ATIS-1000066).
• National Security / Emergency Preparedness Priority Service Session Initiation Protocol Resource-Priority Header (SIP RPH) Signing and Verification using PASSporTs (ATIS-1000078.v002).

SMS/800 Number Administration Committee

SNAC is currently working on an Issue 3443, to develop a standardized Letter of Authorization for the Texting and Smart Services Registry. It is SNAC’s intention to provide RespOrgs with the ability to verify information within a request for text-enablement, from an end-user subscriber. 

Wireless Technologies and Systems Committee

WTSC Emergency Services & NS/EP NGN-PS Coexistence on 3GPP RANs (NSEP) was reactivated at the WTSC April meeting. NSEP is a collaborative effort among PTSC, ESIF and RAN and will meet independently of RAN. NSEP group will be renamed Emergency Services & NS/EP NGN-PS

The Issue they are working on proposes assessing emergency services and NS/EP NGN-PS for commercial 5G New Radio (5GNR) and developing a technical report.

WTSC has also most recently published the following standards:

• WEA 3.0 Practical Hints for Alert Originators (ATIS-0700049)
• Emergency Location Spoofing Mitigation Study (ATIS-0700053)
• North American Microwave Spectrum Bands (United States, Canada, Mexico) (ATIS-0700051.v002)
• North American IMT Spectrum Bands (United States, Canada, Mexico) (ATIS-0700040.v002)

Learn more about the work of all of the ATIS Committees and Forums at: https://www.atis.org/committees-forums/