The User Perspective on Island-Ready 6G Communication: A Survey of Future Smartphone Usage in Crisis-Struck Areas with Local Cellular Connectivity

2025-04-25

International Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

AI Summary

During crises, network outages render smartphone applications inoperable, necessitating robust offline, local communication solutions. This study addresses the “Cellular Island” architecture proposed for 6G standardization, introducing this connectivity paradigm to human–computer interaction research for the first time. Through a mixed-methods approach—including a large-scale survey of 857 adult users in Germany, statistical modeling, and scenario-based service categorization—we systematically characterize user preferences under crisis conditions. Results reveal a strong preference for repurposing existing general-purpose apps over deploying dedicated emergency applications. We propose a three-tier service priority framework grounded in functional criticality, identifying local peer-to-peer communication, precise indoor/outdoor positioning, and authoritative information broadcasting as high-priority capabilities. These findings provide a user-centered foundation for service tiering in 6G cellular island networks, enabling coordinated optimization of offline communication by network operators, application developers, and emergency management authorities.

Technology Category

• Application Domains: Internet of Things, Sensor Networks & Smart Cities
• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Applications
• Multiagent Systems: Agent Communication

Application Category

• Social Networks and Social Media: Applications and emergent phenomena
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Location- and context-aware Web and WoT applications and services
• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: User privacy protection in personalized systems

Abstract

Using smartphone apps during crises is well-established, proving critical for efficient crisis response. However, such apps become futile without an Internet connection, which is a common issue during crises. The ongoing 6G standardization explores the capability to provide local cellular connectivity for areas cut off from the Internet in crises. This paper introduces to the HCI community the concept of cellular island connectivity in isolated areas, promising a seamless transition from normal operation to island operation with local-only cellular connectivity. It presents findings from a survey (N = 857) among adult smartphone users from major German cities regarding their smartphone usage preferences in this model. Results show a shift in app demand, with users favoring general-purpose apps over dedicated crisis apps in specific scenarios. We prioritize smartphone services based on their criticality, distinguishing between apps essential for crisis response and those supporting routines. Our findings provide operators, developers, and authorities insights into making user-centric design decisions for implementing island-ready 6G communication.

Problem

• Exploring 6G's local cellular connectivity for crisis-struck areas
• Assessing smartphone app preferences during internet outages
• Prioritizing critical services for island-ready 6G communication design

Innovation

• 6G enables local cellular island connectivity
• Survey reveals preference for general-purpose apps
• Prioritize critical services for crisis communication