4b Infrastructure, networks, and compute

Intelligent connectivity is key for the implementation and deployment of edge intelligent immersive technologies combining Augmented, Virtual and Extended Reality (AR/VR/XR) with concepts like VW, multiverses, next-generation spatial web, Web 4.0 as part of future VW. This requires advancements in infrastructure, networks and compute.

Future VW applications will place entirely new demands on the network in terms of uplink, downlink, latency, and jitter requirements depending on the deployment scenario. For example, while near-term 5G conversational AR applications may require somewhere up to 20 Mbps downlink, 10 Mbps uplink and 10 milliseconds latency (including RAN and Core), it is expected that future massive multi-sensory XR could require anything up to 1 Gbps downlink, 100 Mbps uplink and 5 milliseconds latency – with a need for high edge cloud compute offload. Some extremely demanding holographic communication use cases featuring very high fidelity could even place demands of up to 10 Gbps downlink, 5 Gbps uplink and as low as one millisecond latency on the network.

AI-native architectures, API-enabled network platforms, and new compute fabrics such as energy efficient neuromorphic computing, will also carry significant weight in terms of service enablement and acceleration, and must also be addressed in the coming years.

The interplay between multimodal sensing, ubiquitous connectivity, and 6G positioning technologies, together with DT and cloud-based spatial mapping technologies, will form a cornerstone of future programmable VW providing a new playing field for truly immersive communication.

High-quality VW experiences will also be dependent on the advancement of video compression technologies. For instance, Versatile Video Coding (VVC) will free up networks to not only handle traffic from cutting edge technologies like mixed reality – AR and VR applications that have the potential to transform everything from city planning, to education, to gaming – but also to deal with the increased amount of video conferencing and remote collaborative tools.

6G will revolutionise XR by addressing current limitations (latency, bandwidth, mobility) and providing communication and computing integrated network to enable new use cases:

Key research topics for data governance, analytics and processing

4b.1 Ultra-low latency for real-time interaction

• To cover all VW use cases, the optimal latency should be around 10 ms. For motion to photon latency 10ms is expected (most VR headsets render at 90fps, meaning 11ms). Latency is highly depending on what kind of computation is done remotely: visual rendering (around 10ms), haptics feedback computation (around 20ms), relocalisation (no strong needs for high latency)
• Holographic Communication: 6G’s sub-millisecond latency will support real-time holograms for telepresence, remote collaboration, and social XR.
• Tactile Internet: Enables haptic feedback in VR/AR, crucial for remote surgery, industrial training, and gaming.
• Immersive triplets and DT

4b.2 Massive bandwidth for high-fidelity Extended Reality

• 8K/16K 360° Streaming: 6G’s terabit-level speeds will support ultra-high-resolution XR content without compression artifacts.
• Multi-Sensory XR: Supports smell, touch, and taste simulations in virtual environments.

4b.3 AI-integrated edge computing

• Distributed AI Processing: 6G networks will use AI-driven edge computing to offload XR rendering tasks, reducing device dependency.
• Context-Aware XR: AI in 6G will enable adaptive XR experiences based on user behaviour, environment, and network conditions.

4b.4 Ubiquitous connectivity with terahertz (THz) and satellite integration

• THz Frequencies (100 GHz – 10 THz): Enable ultra-high-speed short-range XR data transfers (e.g., wireless AR glasses).
• Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN): 6G will integrate satellites and drones for global XR coverage, enabling outdoor AR navigation and disaster response.

4b.5 6G for wearable extended reality devices

• 6G’s energy-efficient protocols will extend battery life for lightweight AR glasses and VR headsets.
• An opportunity for European Industry to take the lead on XR devices (Smart glasses, Head Mounted Displays, Interaction controllers, haptic devices, holographic display, …).
• The border between network and devices is getting ever fuzzier, some of those should become part of the future networks. This is addressed in multiple chapters in this SRIA.

4b.6 Centimetre (cm) accurate positioning systems

• Integration of new radio and computer-vision based localisation positioning systems will enable large-scale AR experiences indoor and outdoor

Relevant EU programs and initiatives contributing to the realisation

The Smart Network and Services Join Undertaking (SNS JU), The New European Media Initiative (NEM), and the Alliance for AI, IoT and Edge Continuum Innovation (AIOTI) are addressing research in several activities and projects supported by the European Commission that can contribute to the VW partnership on this specific domain. Network infrastructures including edge computing, IoT and devices are key enablers contributing to the adoption of VW in various verticals such as manufacturing, transport and logistics, healthcare, media and entertainment, cultural heritage, automotive, education, public safety and disaster response (PPDR), smart cities, and others. Several SNS JU projects are already addressing such use cases that could contribute to the definition of the VW partnership.