Citizen voices highlight what society expects from 6G
As research into sixth-generation communication networks continues to advance, the question is no longer only what 6G will make technically possible. It is also about what kind of digital future people want, what they expect from new connectivity systems, and which values should guide their development.
The 6G4Society project — part of the SNS JU research portfolio — aimed to support the development of 6G in a way that is sustainable, socially accepted and aligned with people’s needs. By engaging citizens early in the research process, the project sought to better understand public expectations, concerns and priorities before future networks become part of everyday infrastructure.
To capture these perspectives, 6G4Society carried out public engagement activities, including a citizen survey collecting over 1,800 responses across Europe, as well as workshops, dialogues and online interactions. The findings show that although public awareness of 6G is still emerging, people already have clear views on how future connectivity should be communicated, governed and used.
A clear message: trust must be built from the start
One of the strongest insights from the citizen input is that trust cannot be treated as an afterthought. People do not reject technological progress, but they expect it to be developed responsibly, with clear safeguards, public accountability and honest communication.
Privacy stands out as the clearest concern. In the 6G4Society citizen survey, 64% of respondents ranked privacy as their top priority when thinking about future connectivity. This shows that people are not only interested in what 6G could enable — they also want to know how their data will be used, who will control it and what protections will be in place.
Cybersecurity is closely connected to this concern. A total of 801 respondents ranked cybersecurity threats as their second priority, suggesting that many people see privacy and cybersecurity as linked rather than separate issues.
For future 6G development, this creates a clear expectation: privacy needs to be built in from the start. People want stronger safeguards, clearer rules and more transparency around data use. Trust will depend on whether future networks give users confidence that their personal information and rights are protected.
Sustainability is not a side topic
Environmental sustainability also appears strongly in the citizen input. Respondents raised concerns about energy use, e-waste, data centres, AI systems, critical minerals and the wider environmental footprint of digital infrastructure.
When asked which issues should guide political and industrial priorities, climate change was selected by 21.6% of participants — placing it just behind economic growth, which was selected by 23.5%.
This does not mean people reject innovation. The input shows a more balanced view: citizens see potential for 6G to support greener systems, smarter energy use and more efficient services. At the same time, they want the environmental cost of future networks to be taken seriously. If 6G is presented as part of the future, people expect it to be aligned with climate goals, resource efficiency and responsible infrastructure planning.
The need for practical value in daily life
The survey also shows that people are most interested in 6G when its benefits are linked to real life. Personal safety was selected by more than 40% of citizens as an area where future connectivity could make a difference. Access to fast and reliable information was also selected by more than 40%.
For many respondents, safety is not only about emergency response or network reliability — it also includes privacy, data protection and feeling secure when using digital services. Other priorities included smoother work experiences and stronger connections with loved ones; just under one third of respondents selected more seamless and efficient work experiences as an area for improvement.
These results suggest that people will judge 6G by its usefulness. Faster networks may matter, but only if they help make daily life safer, easier, more reliable and more connected.
Trusted communication needs to meet people where they are
The findings also reveal important lessons about how future connectivity should be communicated. When seeking information about connectivity technologies, people continue to rely most on traditional news media, including news websites, newspapers and magazines. Social media and conversations with friends and colleagues also play an important role.
By contrast, government websites, technical journals, educational institutions and industry reports rank much lower as trusted sources. This points to a gap between where expert information is usually published and where people actually turn when forming opinions.
For 6G communication, this means that accurate information must also be accessible, relatable and visible in the spaces people already use. Building trust will require clearer public-facing explanations, stronger media engagement and honest communication about both benefits and risks.
Public priorities for policy and industry
When asked what should guide future digital innovation and connectivity, respondents highlighted a mix of economic, environmental and social priorities. Economic growth ranked highest, followed closely by climate change, job security and fair labour policies, and peace and security.
This shows that people see 6G not only as a technical upgrade, but as part of a wider social and economic transition. They expect future connectivity to support competitiveness and innovation, while also contributing to sustainability, fair work and social stability.
For policymakers, this means embedding public values into decision-making early. Privacy, fairness, sustainability and inclusion should be treated as core principles in future governance frameworks. For technology providers, the findings point to the importance of designing systems that are secure, energy-conscious, reliable and easy to understand.
Towards a human-centred 6G future
The citizen input gathered through 6G4Society shows that people are open to the possibilities of future connectivity, but they want innovation to move forward with responsibility. Across the survey and engagement activities, a consistent expectation emerges: 6G should serve society, not the other way around.
Public trust will depend on how well future networks protect privacy, support sustainability, promote fairness and improve daily life. As 6G research continues, these insights provide an important reminder: the success of future connectivity will not be measured only by what the technology can do, but by how well it reflects the values, needs and expectations of the people it is meant to serve.