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July 15, 2025

6G-Cloud Publishes Vision for Cloud-Native 6G Networks

6g-cloud-architecture

The 6G-Cloud project has published a detailed article outlining its vision for cloud-native 6G networks, now available on Medium. Authored by the project coordinator, Dr. Tao Chen (VTT), the piece dives into the technical ambitions, architectural foundations and expected impact of the project, reinforcing 6G-Cloud’s role as a key innovator in Europe’s next-generation network landscape.

A New Paradigm for RAN and Core Integration

At the heart of the article is the concept of a unified, service-based architecture that extends the 5G core’s principles to the RAN (Radio Access Network). By reimagining both RAN and Core as microservice-driven components deployed across the cloud continuum, the project envisions a network that is highly modular, scalable and dynamically orchestrated, from the extreme edge to the central cloud.

This approach enables seamless deployment and real-time adjustment of network functions, meeting the varied demands of low-latency urban environments and remote rural areas alike.

Smart Orchestration Across the Cloud Continuum

To enable this dynamic behaviour, 6G-Cloud is building two major frameworks:

  • Cloud Continuum Framework (CCF): A unified control plane that abstracts and manages compute, storage and networking resources across heterogeneous cloud domains.
  • Management and Orchestration Framework (MOF): A fully distributed orchestration system that intelligently coordinates services and resources, ensuring reliability and performance.

Together, these frameworks lay the groundwork for autonomous, resilient 6G networks that adapt in real time to changing conditions and use cases.

AI at the Core

The project also introduces an AI/ML Framework (AIMLF) designed to embed intelligence natively into the network. AI models can be trained, validated (via digital twins) and deployed as services, enabling real-time insights, predictive management and energy-efficient operation. This architecture opens the door to AI-as-a-Service for network automation, intent-based management and proactive decision-making.

Looking Ahead

The Medium article emphasises how 6G-Cloud’s architecture supports emerging applications — from immersive XR to industry-grade private networks — and sets the foundation for programmable, cloud-native 6G infrastructures.

📖 Read the full article here: Building the Future of Cloud-Native 6G Networks: Inside the 6G-Cloud Project