View PDF HTML (experimental)

Abstract: The transition from 5G to 6G is becoming concrete: the ITU-R IMT-2030 framework has established the high-level vision and capability set for 6G, while 3GPP Release 21 has defined the path toward the first 6G specifications. This raises a deliberately provocative question for the research and standards communities: will there be a 7G, and if so, what would justify it? This paper argues that 7G should not be treated as an inevitable numbering exercise or as a catalogue of more ambitious radio targets. Instead, its justification should depend on whether post-6G systems introduce needs or coordination problems that cannot be met by 6G/6G-Advanced, Wi-Fi, NTN, private cellular, neutral-host deployments, edge-cloud platforms, or complementary wireless and software-based systems.…