As the global rollout of 5G reaches maturity, the telecommunications sector and the broader technology ecosystem have shifted their focus to the next frontier: sixth-generation wireless, or 6G.
Unlike its predecessors, 6G is not simply a faster or more responsive version of 5G. It represents a fundamental shift in how wireless networks are conceptualised and integrated into society.
Designed to support a seamless blend of physical, digital and biological systems, 6G will act as a distributed neural platform, enabling unprecedented levels of connectivity, intelligence and sensing.
The emerging technological paradigm brings with it a host of innovations, including real-time holographic communication, integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), and AI-native network architecture. The advances are not only reshaping network capabilities but are redefining the strategic imperatives of governments and corporations alike.
Geopolitics, intellectual property battles and competing industrial strategies are shaping the race to 6G. Leading telecom and tech firms are already investing heavily in research, standardisation efforts and ecosystem building.
With commercialisation expected around 2030, the coming years will be critical in determining which companies and nations shape the infrastructure, rules and economic power of the next digital age.
This week, Mobile Magazine explores the top 10 companies investing in 6G.
10 | Broadcom Inc.
- Founded: 1961
- Annual Revenue: US$35.8bn
- Chief Executive Officer: Hock Tan
- Number of Employees: +20,000
Broadcom Inc., a global leader in semiconductor and infrastructure software, plays a vital behind-the-scenes role in advancing 6G. While not a consumer brand, Broadcom’s high-performance, energy-efficient silicon supports the next-generation networks being developed.
Its collaborations with hyperscalers and tech giants on custom AI hardware firmly position it at the heart of distributed cloud and edge computing, both key enablers of 6G. A milestone achievement includes its leadership in PCIe Gen 6, which is essential for future AI-driven 6G data centres and edge nodes.
9 | AT&T Inc.
- Founded: 1885
- Annual Revenue: US$122.4bn
- Chief Executive Officer: John T. Stankey
- Number of Employees: 149,900
As a significant force in American telecommunications, AT&T is playing a strategic leadership role in shaping North America’s approach to 6G.
Building on its legacy of network innovation, it is a founding member of the Next G Alliance, where it co-chairs key groups focused on architecture, security and use cases. With a strong emphasis on open, disaggregated networks and long-term cost efficiency, AT&T is influencing 6G standards to align with its operational needs and future procurement strategies.
8 | Cisco Systems, Inc.
- Founded: 1984
- Annual Revenue: US$53.8bn
- Chief Executive Officer: Chuck Robbins
- Number of Employees: 90,400
Cisco Systems, a global leader in enterprise networking and cybersecurity, is positioning itself at the heart of 6G innovation by focusing on intelligent, secure infrastructure.
Although not a traditional RAN vendor, Cisco is playing a pivotal role in developing AI-native 6G platforms through a strategic partnership with NVIDIA, T-Mobile, and others.
The alliance marks a significant milestone, targeting edge computing and private networks. Cisco aims to extend its dominance from enterprise IT into the 6G-powered edge, reshaping future network architecture and services.
7 | Intel Corporation
- Founded: 1968
- Annual Revenue: US$54.2bn
- Chief Executive Officer: Patrick P. Gelsinger
- Number of Employees: 121,900
Intel, a global semiconductor leader, is playing a foundational role in shaping 6G by driving the convergence of computing and connectivity. Renowned for powering virtualised and cloud-native telecom networks with its Xeon processors and FlexRAN architecture, Intel is now advancing key 6G technologies like the Wide Area Cloud (WAC), joint communication and sensing, and distributed AI.
In partnership with SK Telecom, Intel has achieved critical milestones in low-latency core networks—strategic groundwork for the AI-native, software-defined infrastructure central to 6G.
6 | Apple Inc.
- Founded: 1976
- Annual Revenue: US$383.3bn
- Chief Executive Officer: Tim Cook
- Number of Employees: 161,000
Apple, a global leader in consumer technology, is quietly but assertively influencing the direction of 6G development. Known for its tightly integrated hardware-software ecosystem, it is investing in in-house cellular technologies following its acquisition of Intel’s modem business.
Apple is actively contributing to 3GPP discussions, championing a user-centric 6G vision that focuses on power efficiency, coverage and privacy. By prioritising features that enhance real-world performance across devices—from iPhones to XR platforms, Apple is shaping 6G to meet the demands of future consumer experiences.
5 | Ericsson
- Founded: 1876
- Annual Revenue: US$24.6bn
- Chief Executive Officer: Börje Ekholm
- Number of Employees: 99,950
Ericsson, the Swedish telecom giant and global leader in 5G infrastructure, is playing a pivotal role in shaping 6G. It is a founding partner of major research initiatives, including Europe’s Hexa-X and the Next G Alliance in North America.
Ericsson envisions 6G as a “cyber-physical continuum", blending communication with intelligence and sustainability.
Backed by UK research investment and academic collaborations with institutions like MIT and Princeton, Ericsson is laying the groundwork for programmable networks that serve developers, enterprises and future 6G services.
4 | Nokia
- Founded: 1865
- Annual Revenue: US$23.9bn
- Chief Executive Officer: Pekka Lundmark
- Number of Employees: +86,700
Nokia, the renowned Finnish telecommunications firm, has emerged as a global leader in 6G research and development. With Nokia Bell Labs at its core, it plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of networks.
Nokia leads the EU’s Hexa-X-II project and chairs North America’s Next G Alliance. In partnership with NTT Docomo and SK Telecom, Nokia has achieved key 6G trials, particularly in AI-native interfaces and sub-THz transmission, with a strong focus on sustainability and energy efficiency.
3 | Qualcomm Incorporated
- Founded: 1985
- Annual Revenue: US$35.8bn
- Chief Executive Officer: Cristiano R. Amon
- Number of Employees: 51,000
Qualcomm, the world’s largest fabless semiconductor firm, is a cornerstone of wireless innovation and is renowned for its Snapdragon processors. In the 6G arena, Qualcomm is developing a next-generation, AI-native air interface and pioneering spectrum sharing and scalable network design.
A leading force in the Next G Alliance and 3GPP, it aims to simplify 6G standards to cut complexity and costs. Partnering across the ecosystem, Qualcomm is driving critical breakthroughs that will underpin the mobile networks of the future.
2 | Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
- Founded: 1987
- Annual Revenue: US$98.5bn
- Founder & Chief Executive Officer: Ren Zhengfei
- Number of Employees: +208,000
Huawei, a global giant in telecoms and consumer technology, remains a key player in 6G despite Western market restrictions. Having launched 6G research in 2017, it envisions a “distributed neural network” that integrates the physical, cyber and biological realms.
Huawei leads in 6G patent filings and has established major research hubs, including in Munich. Though excluded from Western alliances, its partnerships across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, alongside China’s strategic support, position it to drive a fast-moving, vertically integrated 6G model, potentially distinct from Western, consensus-led approaches.
1 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
- Founded: 1938
- Annual Revenue: US$194bn
- Chief Executive Officer: Jun Young-hyun
- Number of Employees: 270,300
Samsung Electronics, the South Korean tech giant, is uniquely positioned in the 6G race due to its vertically integrated structure, which spans semiconductors, network equipment, and consumer devices. Its Advanced Communications Research Center, established in 2019, leads its 6G efforts, focusing on merging AI, sensing, and communications technologies.
Samsung collaborates with major players such as Nokia, NTT Docomo, and Qualcomm and plays a key role in the Next G Alliance. Backed by substantial national investment, it leads in 6G patents and aims to become the definitive end-to-end systems integrator for future immersive, intelligent communications experiences.
