Will There Be a 7G?

The ITU-R IMT-2030 framework and 3GPP Release 21 define initial 6G specifications, prompting a question of a 7G need. The authors propose a readiness framework—demand-led need, system discontinuity, coordination value, sustainability, trust, and geopolitical viability—and list potential 7G breaks such as agentic network operation, RF-native computing, quantum-enabled interworking, policy-aware spectrum governance, grid-interactive infrastructure, outcome-assured services, and regionalized standards. They argue 7G is justified only if post-6G requirements cannot be met by 6G extensions, Wi-Fi, NTN, private or neutral-host deployments, edge-cloud platforms, or complementary wireless and software systems.