Six Key Enablers for Machine Type Communication in 6G

While 5G is being rolled out in different parts of the globe, few research groups around the world - such as the Finnish 6G Flagship program - have already started posing the question: textitWhat will 6G be? The 6G vision is a data-driven society, enabled by near instant unlimited wireless connectivity. Driven by impetus to provide vertical-specific wireless network solutions, machine type communication encompassing both its mission critical and massive connectivity aspects is foreseen to be an important cornerstone of 6G development. This article presents an over-arching vision for machine type communication in 6G. In this regard, some relevant performance indicators are first anticipated, followed by a presentation of six key enabling technologies.