The next generation of mobile networks, 6G, is expected to revolutionize how we experience and interact with technology. With improved speed, latency, and connectivity, 6G networks will bring substantial advancements in imaging, presence technology, and location awareness, working alongside artificial intelligence (AI). However, it is essential to note that 6G technology is not yet functional, and industry specifications for 6G-enabled network products are still years away.
6G networks may also operate using signals at the higher end of the radio spectrum, enabling faster sampling rates and providing significantly better throughput and higher data rates than 5G. Using sub-mm waves and frequency selectivity to determine relative electromagnetic absorption rates is expected to advance the development of wireless sensing technology. Mobile edge computing will be a core feature of all 6G networks, providing several benefits, including improved access to AI capabilities and support for sophisticated mobile devices and systems.
6G will launch by 2030
6G internet is expected to launch commercially in 2030. The technology will likely use distributed radio access network (RAN) and terahertz (THz) spectrum to increase capacity, lower latency, and improve spectrum sharing. The need to deploy edge computing to ensure overall throughput and low latency for ultrareliable, low-latency communications solutions is another important driver of 6G.
The race to 6G has drawn the attention of many industry players, including significant infrastructure companies such as Samsung, Nokia, and Ericsson, who have signalled that they have 6G R&D in the works. The major projects underway include the 6Genesis research project launched by the University of Oulu in Finland, which aims to develop a 6G vision for 2030. The competition to see which companies and countries dominate the 6G market and its related applications and services is expected to be intense.
6G advantages
The upcoming 6G networks are expected to provide several advantages, including robust security measures against cyberattacks, AI-powered personalization of network experiences, enhanced performance of 5G applications, the development of wireless sensing technologies, and the emergence of new technological innovations. Additionally, the virtualization of 6G components will reduce the cost of networking equipment and optimize indoor network usage through femtocells and Distributed Antenna Systems. Furthermore, 6G networks will offer vast coverage areas, reduced interference between devices, and improved service. The development of 6G networks will connect the physical and virtual worlds through faster communication and better support for immersive technology.
6G will pioneer new spectrum bands, including mid-bands, low bands, and sub-THz spectrums, enabling larger capacity through extreme Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) and peak data speeds exceeding 100 Gbps. 6G will also focus more on M2M connectivity, enabling the connectivity of up to 10 million devices per square kilometre, prioritizing energy efficiency, and enhancing network reliability through simultaneous transmission, numerous wireless hops, device-to-device connectivity, and AI/ML. The latency of 6G will be reduced to less than 0.1 milliseconds, allowing numerous delay-sensitive real-time applications to have better performance and functionality. The rise of new architectures will allow 6G networks to be implemented in heterogeneous cloud settings, including private, public, and hybrid clouds. Finally, AI and ML will optimize connectivity by achieving superior efficiency and reducing computational complexity.
The development of 6G will significantly impact many government and industry approaches to public safety and critical asset protection. The need to support machine-to-machine communication in IoT and high-performance computing (HPC) is also a driving force for 6G. Organizations must prepare for the future and, at the same time, use the current technology, not wait ten years for the next technology to be presented.