While many regions on Earth are still rolling out 5G, China Mobile recently launched a satellite designed to test the first 6G connectivity from space. However, a true terrestrial network is expected to be operational by 2030.
While 5G, which is completely independent of 4G and offers enhanced performance, is still being rolled out in many countries, China has already turned its attention to 6G with its first tests in space. China Mobile, the world’s largest mobile phone operator in terms of number of subscribers, has successfully launched the world’s first dedicated 6G test satellite, China Daily reported.
Launched into low orbit approximately 500 kilometers above Earth, the satellite is the first to be equipped with the 6G architecture developed by China Mobile in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The satellite’s low-Earth orbit location is designed to ensure high-speed data transfer and low latency compared to satellites located 36,000 kilometers above Earth. The idea is that when the 6G network is actually deployed, its deficiencies will be resolved, resulting in a fully coordinated satellite system.
This experimental and exploratory project comes at a time when the first 6G-compatible networks, expected to be used in China and South Korea, are expected to be commercially available in 2030. On paper, 6G looks impressive with speeds up to 1. TB/s, near zero latency. Additionally, 6G is particularly suited for the Internet of Things as it can discover and link large numbers of connected devices and vehicles within a certain radius. – AFP Relax News
