IT Brief, 30 October 2025
The Connectivity Innovation Network’s upcoming 4th Annual Beyond 5G Summit was featured in IT Brief on 30 October 2025.
Australia hosts global leaders to shape priorities for 6G future
Australia’s efforts to shape the development of future mobile networks will take a significant step forward with the arrival of a recognised global voice in 6G research from Finland.
Professor Matti Latva-aho, Chair of 6G Flagship and Vice Rector for Research at the University of Oulu, is scheduled to headline the 4th Australian Beyond 5G Connectivity Summit, taking place on 4 and 5 November in Sydney. Professor Latva-aho has played a central role since Finland launched the world’s first dedicated 6G research programme in 2018, and his involvement highlights growing international attention towards Australia’s emerging 6G priorities in the Asia Pacific region.
The event, hosted by the Connectivity Innovation Network (CIN), will convene representatives from key organisations helping to shape Australia’s connectivity strategy. Attendees and speakers will include NSW Telco Authority, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), Telstra, Ericsson, NBN Co, CSIRO, along with leading universities and collaborative research initiatives.
Sector alignment
The principal theme of the upcoming summit is “Pioneering the path from 5G to 6G for Australia’s future”, with sessions discussing how policy, research and technology investment could impact the nation’s readiness for 6G commercial deployment in the coming years.
“6G will not be a single leap forward but the result of coordinated advances in policy, infrastructure and research. Australia has a real opportunity to shape global standards by getting involved early, and this Summit provides an essential space for government, industry and academia to align on priorities that will define how Australians connect in the next decade.”
These comments were made by Dr Ian Oppermann, Director of the Connectivity Innovation Network. Dr Oppermann said early sector-wide alignment is essential for influencing 6G’s development.
Technology and public safety
Preparations are underway to address potential advances 6G may offer, such as advanced sensing, satellite connectivity, and network intelligence powered by artificial intelligence. The summit programme allots significant focus to the related challenges of cybersecurity and support for public safety requirements.
Distinguished Professor Y Jay Guo, CIN Technical Director and one of Australia’s most referenced wireless communications experts, will participate in sessions examining emerging capabilities such as sensing, edge intelligence and the resilience of network architecture. These discussions aim to evaluate how next-generation connectivity could deliver real-time situational awareness, particularly during critical moments when Australians depend on emergency services.
The event will feature a dedicated panel discussion on situational awareness capabilities for Emergency Service Organisations. This panel is set to assess Australia’s current landscape, identify gaps where improved capability is needed, and consider the role that innovation in connectivity could play in operational coordination and public safety outcomes.
International collaboration
Australia is looking to build its influence on international standards for wireless technologies by strengthening its engagement in the development of connectivity frameworks. The summit’s agenda reflects the ambition to leverage the nation’s expertise in wireless communications, photonics, automation and space-terrestrial integration.
The CIN collaborative model supports this drive by enabling universities, industry and government agencies to rapidly trial new solutions and accelerate their adoption across Australia’s regional and urban communities. This approach is also designed to foster digital resilience amidst evolving technological challenges.
The summit provides a forum for setting research and industry priorities as global preparations for the next phase of wireless connectivity gather pace.
By Catherine Knowles, News Editor