6G technology is the sixth generation of cellular technology that promises to provide diverse connectivity at microsecond speeds. The mobile network, which is still in the development stage, will operate over higher radio frequencies with higher capacity and 1,000 times faster latency than 5G.
6G networks will leverage the existing infrastructure of 5G, but differentiate themselves by using very high frequency waves to transmit more data faster, and will also incorporate artificial intelligence with machine learning. Masu.
What is 6G?
6G is the sixth generation mobile network standard for cellular technology. Building on 5G, 6G operates at higher radio frequencies, delivering more bandwidth and lower latency at microsecond speeds.
5G has just arrived, but the rapid pace of new technology is already making it obsolete. Currently, communication services collect information from the network, run it through external AI machines, and use the results to manually reconfigure the network back. But with 6G, “the network should be able to make its own decisions at every layer,” Shamik Mishra, CTO of connectivity at technology consultancy Capgemini Engineering, told Built In.
6G allows users to transfer data instantly, eliminating buffering, delays, and disconnections. Just as 2G provided text messaging and 4G introduced entire mobile app systems, 6G will enhance machine-to-machine communication and improve interoperability in the age of “smart” Internet of Things. .
“Faster wireless communications mean new applications ranging from faster video streaming and file downloads to connected vehicles, smart factories, and collaborative virtual and augmented reality. ,” said Swarun Kumar, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. University.
Future applications could improve public safety, enable health surveillance systems, and improve facial recognition technology.
Difference between 5G and 6G
6G will be built on top of 5G’s existing wireless communications infrastructure and will be designed to exceed 5G technology in every way.
In terms of speed, 6G delivers 1 terabyte (1,000 gigabytes) of data in 1 microsecond, while 5G delivers 20 gigabytes in 1 millisecond (1,000 microseconds).
5G laid the foundation for a user-centric model, delivered broadband at scale, and enabled the launch of the Internet of Things. This has led to “hyperconnectivity,” Mishra said, “enabling human-machine communication.”
However, 6G technology will move towards a service-centric approach by accelerating the technology we know today into a more integrated digital world.
6G, which has low latency and high speed communication, is mainly used for machine-to-machine communication. This is simply because our brains are so fast that they can’t tell the difference.
“I don’t think 6G will change anything for human consumption,” Mishra said.
In other words, the faster your machine can communicate, the smoother everything will run.
When will 6G arrive?
Experts expect 6G to be introduced by 2030. According to IDTechEx researchers, it could be as early as 2028.
“5G is still in its prime and adoption rates are low, so 5G carriers are struggling to recoup their investments,” said Trevor Francis, CEO of carrier 46 Labs. “Lack of 5G adoption could further set back the need for 6G.”
Who is working on 6G?
Governments, telecommunications providers, infrastructure companies, academic institutions, and industry leaders are all currently developing technology for 6G networks.
For example, South Korea’s Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications is working on developing terahertz frequency bands to achieve faster speeds. Japan’s Osaka University has also teamed up with Australia’s University of Adelaide to develop silicon-based microchips, so-called multiplexers, used to split and combine frequencies to facilitate transmission. did.
6G benefits
new spectral band
Each new generation of mobile networks features a new radio spectrum. In the section known as mid-band, 6G introduces a range of 7 to 20 gigahertz, improving on 5G’s 24 to 40 gigahertz. “The lower the frequency band, the wider the area that can be covered,” carrier Ericsson said in a blog post.
Low latency, high speed
Latency, or the time it takes for a signal to bounce back and forth, drops to microseconds with 6G. Comparatively, today’s users typically experience millisecond delays. This is 1,000 times faster than him, but insignificant to the human eye. The reliability and overall functionality of real-time applications becomes seamless.
Seamless connectivity
One of the key capabilities to emerge from 6G networks is that machine-to-machine communication is expected to be significantly streamlined. Not only will AI be built into the framework, but it will also be able to handle AI-enhanced technologies. This network will better integrate and advance the Internet of Things ecosystem, deep learning, cloud data centers, and mobile edge computing. Its infrastructure can support 10 million devices per square kilometer, exceeding 4G’s 100,000 devices per square kilometer.
Unlimited accessibility
6G wireless networks will be able to integrate air, ground, sea, and even space communications into one platform. By operating in the new wireless spectrum, users will be able to interact not only with low data rate devices such as biosensors and IoT devices, but also with high-end devices such as mobile phones during flights and bullet trains.
“The future will require connectivity like we’ve never seen before. Connected devices, smart cities, and self-driving cars will all process large amounts of data,” Francis said. “We’re getting used to needing higher frequencies to enjoy internet speeds, and we’re getting better at it.”
Disadvantages of 6G
expensive to build
Getting 6G up and running requires new infrastructure to be rolled out at scale, and that’s expensive. Designing new hardware to integrate AI, nodes, edge computing, and cloud data systems into new towers and antennas is a challenge. Fortunately, many components, such as the physical layer and media access control, can be virtualized and require only a software overhaul.
“To justify such a large investment, there is no doubt that 6G will require identifying the ‘killer apps’ that will truly benefit from a significant leap in over-the-air speed and performance,” Kumar said. says Mr. “But if history is any indication, the transition from 3G to 4G, for example, has given rise to innovative new applications, from video streaming and mobile gaming to ride-hailing apps. ”
Vulnerable to security breaches
The size of the 6G attack surface will inevitably increase thanks to IoT, virtualized networks, and open source technologies. This means there are more points of entry for unauthorized users than before. Consider the Deloitte report. We found that U.S. homes have an average of 22 connected devices.
According to the study, data processing, threat detection, traffic analysis, and data encryption are at the top of the list of critical concerns for 6G networks. High mobility requires interconnected networks. However, the more centralized a system is, the more likely it is to be exposed to security threats. Enhanced hardware, AI and machine learning predictive capabilities, blockchain and quantum cryptography are emerging as potential security solutions.
Do I need 6G?
6G could ultimately be a game-changer for technology development. 6G’s ability to connect devices through AI and machine learning could make self-driving cars, smart cities, and virtual and augmented reality more sustainable. 6G also promises to integrate different types of technologies, such as deep learning and big data analytics, giving us even more possibilities to leverage large amounts of data.
Another reason there is so much excitement about 6G is its connection to high performance computing (HPC). The link between these two technologies could complement edge computing and help handle large amounts of data moving between IoT devices.
Of course, the impact of 6G will depend on what role these other emerging technologies play in society. For the time being, 6G offers a future where these technologies will be more practical than ever thanks to stronger, faster connections.
Is 6G available?
No, 6G is not available yet, but 6G networks are currently in development and are expected to launch around 2030.
How much faster is 6G than 5G?
6G is expected to run at 1 terabyte per second, which is 1,000 times faster than 5G.
Is 6G internet safe?
6G internet is secure and although it requires more powerful frequencies, these frequencies are non-ionizing and therefore harmless. Still, concerns related to security breaches, radiation exposure from proliferating devices, and increased surveillance must be considered when determining the safety of 6G.
