SUSTAIN-6G Showcased at CW TEC 2025: “6G Anarchy in the UK”
On 9 July 2025, Cambridge Wireless hosted its annual Technology and Engineering Conference (CW TEC) at the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory, gathering industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers to debate the UK’s role in shaping the 6G era. This year’s bold theme – “6G Anarchy in the UK: how does the UK get what it needs in the 6G era?” – set the stage for practical discussions on connectivity, sustainability, and commercial viability.
Representing SUSTAIN-6G through Real Wireless, consortium partner Julie Bradford, Head of Techno-Economic Analysis at Real Wireless, delivered the conference’s closing address. (Presentation in PDF) Drawing on Real Wireless’ work within European research projects such as SUSTAIN-6G and TrialsNet, Bradford highlighted the dual challenge of ensuring both the commercial viability and the sustainability of future 6G networks.
She emphasised that while 5G deployment is still in progress, the UK must begin laying the groundwork for 6G with a focus on energy efficiency, environmental impact, and socio-economic benefit. Lessons from earlier mobile generations, she noted, demonstrate the importance of aligning technology roadmaps with policy, funding strategies, and deployment best practices.
Bradford’s intervention resonated with the conference’s pragmatic outlook, which broadly called for simpler, more secure, more sustainable, and more accessible mobile infrastructure rather than speculative visions. Delegates also acknowledged the urgent need to improve current connectivity services while shaping the foundations for 6G.
Through projects like SUSTAIN-6G (SUSTainability Advanced and Innovative Networking with 6G), Real Wireless is working with 24 partners across ten European countries to ensure that the next generation of wireless technology is not only technically advanced but also socially responsible. The project explores how 6G can support areas such as smart energy, agriculture, and healthcare while reducing the environmental footprint of digital infrastructure.
CW TEC 2025 reflected a growing consensus: the UK’s 6G success will depend not just on technological breakthroughs, but on achieving the right balance of innovation, sustainability, and commercial realism. Bradford’s closing reflections underscored the need to “get the basics right” now—an approach that aligns closely with the mission of SUSTAIN-6G.
References
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Bradford, J. (2025, August 11). Getting 6G right: back to basics. Real Wireless. Retrieved from https://real-wireless.com/getting-6g-right-back-to-basics/
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Cambridge Wireless. (2025, July 21). CWTEC: 6G Anarchy in the UK – how does the UK get what it needs in the 6G era? Cambridge Wireless. Retrieved from https://www.cambridgewireless.co.uk/resource/cwtec-6g-anarchy-in-the-uk-how-does-the-uk-get-what-it-needs-in-the-6g-era.html
