The “6G NearField Technologies White Paper 2.0” was officially released at the 2025 Global 6G Technology and Industry Ecosystem Conference (formerly the Global 6G Technology Conference). Building upon the industry’s first white paper on near-field technologies published in April 2024, the second edition substantially expands the discussion on the research and standardization of near-field technologies, offering strategic insights to support the 3GPP’s 6G standardization study initiative, which is expected to commence in June 2025.
The white paper, jointly authored by 253 experts from 83 organizations across 19 countries — including China, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Sweden, Japan, South Korea, Israel, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Australia, South Africa, the UAE, and India — reflects wide-ranging international collaboration. It encompasses contributions from the major IEEE ComSoc regions: North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.
Current wireless communication systems from 1G to 5G rely primarily on the assumption of far-field propagation of electromagnetic signals. However, the upcoming 6G era — with its large-scale deployment of centralized and distributed massive antenna arrays — is expected to dramatically extend the near-field propagation region across low, mid, and high frequency bands. This paradigm shift paves the way for a near-ubiquitous near-field propagation environment. By harnessing the unique spatial and electromagnetic characteristics of the near field, these technologies are poised to unlock new physical dimensions in wireless communications. As enablers of ultra-high-capacity transmission, high-precision sensing, and efficient wireless power transfer, near-field technologies are expected to play a critical role in shaping the 6G air interface and redefining next-generation wireless network architectures.
In recent years, academia and industry have advanced the theoretical foundations and innovations of near-field technologies. As global 6G efforts move from vision-setting to concrete steps in standardization and deployment, this timely white paper highlights the urgent need to address near-field technologies from a standards-oriented perspective. It introduces dedicated sections on engineering implementation challenges, potential solutions, and the broader impact of near-field advancements on global 6G standardization.
This white paper outlines 15 representative application scenarios for near-field technologies in future wireless networks. It delves into the electromagnetic principles underpinning near-field effects and their impacts on communication systems. It also emphasizes design constraints and enabling mechanisms tied to core performance metrics such as degrees of freedom and capacity. For near-field channel characterization, the white paper examines both channel measurement campaigns and channel modeling efforts by 3GPP. It also evaluates critical components of near-field technologies, including channel estimation, beamforming, and codebook design. In addition, the cross-domain synergies between near-field technologies and integrated sensing and communications (ISAC), wireless power transfer, and physicallayer security are also discussed in this white paper. More importantly, it discusses implications for 6G standardization of nearfield technologies, aiming to establish a unified cognitive framework that bridges theoretical innovation, standards evolution, and real-world deployment.
The white paper outlines 15 representative application scenarios for near-field technologies in future wireless systems. It explores the underlying electromagnetic theory, design constraints, and enabling mechanisms tied to core performance metrics such as spatial degrees of freedom and communication capacity. For near-field channel characterization — a fundamental component of wireless system design — the white paper reviews measurement campaigns and modeling efforts, particularly those led by 3GPP. It also evaluates key technical elements, including channel estimation, beamforming strategies, and codebook design. Furthermore, the paper examines cross-domain synergies between near-field technologies and other emerging technologies such as integrated sensing and communications (ISAC), wireless power transfer, and physical-layer security.
By bridging fundamental research with practical engineering and global standards development, “6G Near-Field Technologies White Paper 2.0” is expected to accelerate the integration of near-field technologies into mainstream 6G system design and standardization efforts.
Authored by a multinational team of ComSoc members—primarily from the Asia-Pacific region, with contributions from across the globe—this white paper explores near-field technologies, a rapidly growing research domain. Key contributors, including Prof. Cunhua Pan, Prof. Jianhua Zhang, Prof. Linglong Dai, Dr. Yajun Zhao, Prof. Chongwen Huang, et al., are also spearheading a workshop titled Sensing and Communication in the Near Field at the 14th IEEE/CIC International Conference on Communications in China (ICCC 2025). The event, scheduled for August 2025 in Shanghai, will bridge theoretical advancements with industry applications, underscoring the collaborative momentum driving 6G innovation.