XR Growth Driving 6G Innovation

According to a new paper by InterDigital and Futuresource Consulting, the increase in immersive content consumption will strain wireless infrastructure, creating opportunities for innovation.

The report indicates that current network architecture must evolve as extended reality (XR) content becomes more accessible. The paper, “Media over Wireless: Networks for Ubiquitous Video,” examines consumer behavior trends regarding video and immersive experiences over wireless networks.

XR applications are placing demands on wireless networks that they may not be able to handle, especially for the next generation of immersive entertainment. The XR market is growing; by 2031, the number of XR devices shipped should increase fourfold over 2025, reaching 83 million units globally.

Without network upgrades, immersive device adoption could stall, especially since 40% of consumers are already dissatisfied with network performance for video. 5G-Advanced and 6G architectures are essential for immersive and XR content.

Futuresource predicts 6G deployment will coincide with XR hardware and software maturity, expected between 2028 and 2032.

Milind Kulkarni, Head of Wireless Labs at InterDigital:
“The high demand for more immersive entertainment cannot be ignored. As XR devices become more accessible, we’ll move from simply watching video to stepping inside it—and future wireless systems need to be prepared for this staggering change”

Lionel Oisel, Head of Video Labs at InterDigital:
“The XR market is entering a pivotal phase, where immersive content is no longer a niche. As we get closer to 2030 and the release of the first 6G standards, XR entertainment is going to become an expectation, where we will see interactive digital sports venues to real-time augmented city guides and digital twins”

The success of these experiences depends on quality of experience, including ultra-low latency, interactivity, and media synchronization, which are essential to unlocking XR’s potential.