John Onceer, editor
6G is still in the applied research and technology testing stage and is not expected to be commercially available until around 2030. But that doesn’t mean that important steps towards the introduction of 6G aren’t being taken now.
6G technology is still in the early research stages, but progress is being made in defining the vision, key features and potential use cases. Work on standardization requirements is expected to begin this year, with work on technical specifications due to start in 2025.
But despite the work being done to roll out 6G, consumer adoption of 5G remains low, with some blaming local government regulations as obstacles to rapid rollout, including zoning policies, lengthy permitting processes, high fees and even aesthetic concerns.
And yet, while the number of consumers with 5G connections is growing, it’s “still well below ‘mainstream’ levels,” according to CNBC. This is despite the fact that 5G is the fastest mobile generation rollout ever, “on track to surpass 1 billion connections by the end of 2022, 1.6 billion by the end of 2023, and 5.5 billion by 2030.”
Why even consider 6G when 5G access is currently less than 50% worldwide and predicted to be “only” 85% by 2030? Some would argue that 4G as it stands meets every human need: streaming high-quality video and downloading at faster speeds than anyone could realistically ever need on an ongoing basis.
Others say we don’t need 6G because it solves problems that don’t exist. But we all know that these problems will arise one day and we’ll need 6G. IoT and self-driving cars depend on 6G, as will holograms (3D video), smart drones, and intelligent sensing. Applications like teleportation are even discussed in the scientific literature.
6G is expected to be introduced around 2030, so there is still time to develop many applications. Historically, 10 years ago, 4G was in a similar situation to 6G, but now we use it every day for applications like Instagram, YouTube, and more.
Whether 6G is coming in a decade or more, regionally, or globally, it’s coming. Let’s take a look at the current research and roadmap, timelines, and anticipated challenges that 6G will bring.
Early Research and Roadmap
“6G could be a game-changer for technology development,” Built In writes. “Self-driving cars, smart cities, and virtual and augmented reality could become more sustainable thanks to 6G’s ability to connect devices with AI and machine learning. 6G also promises to bring together different types of technologies, such as deep learning and big data analytics, further increasing the possibilities for leveraging vast amounts of data.”
Currently, various organizations, including governments, telecommunications operators, infrastructure companies, academic institutions, and industry leaders, are working on developing technologies for 6G networks. For example, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute in South Korea is working on terahertz frequency bands to achieve faster speeds. Similarly, Osaka University in Japan has partnered with the University of Adelaide in Australia to develop silicon-based microchips called multiplexers that will be used to divide and combine frequencies for seamless transmission.
According to TechTarget, other projects driving 6G research include:
- University of Oulu, Finland The University of Finland has launched the 6Genesis research project to develop a 6G vision for 2030. The university also signed a cooperation agreement with Japan’s Beyond 5G Promotion Consortium to coordinate work on Finland’s 6G Flagship Research on 6G technologies.
- Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China It is investing in and overseeing 6G research and development in the country.
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC) In 2020, 6G frequencies were opened up for spectrum testing at frequencies from 95 gigahertz (GHz) to 3 THz.
- Hexa-X is a European consortium of academic and industry leaders committed to driving 6G standards research. Finnish telecommunications company Nokia is leading the project, with participation from Swedish telecommunications operator Ericsson and Italy’s TIM.
“6G will take time and effort to develop because we need the capacity,” Peter Vetter, president of Nokia Bell Labs, said in a keynote speech at the 6G Symposium Spring 2024. “The ecosystem of smart devices, sensors, robots, drones and more is growing,” 6G World quoted Vetter as saying.
Another reason we need 6G, according to Vetter, is that anticipated future societal goals also call for new ecosystems: “For example, food waste. [By using 6G] “Through sensors and networks you can optimise the food chain and manage resources better – that’s where value comes from 6G,” Vetter added.
But researchers must decide on their priorities, says SNS-JU CEO Ershebet Fitri. “According to Fitri, cooperation between public and private sectors is important, but involving vertical sectors, innovative SMEs and international players will be key to reconciling these conflicts,” 6GWorld writes.
Vetter lists six other priorities:
- Extreme MIMO on the Existing Grid
- A smooth transition and the evolution of the core
- Programmable and API native
- Native AI Framework
- Energy Efficiency Framework
- Security, Trust and Privacy
Expected timeline
As mentioned above, 6G is expected to be commercially available around 2030, with research and development beginning in earnest in 2020. Early 6G research continues to focus on transmitting data at ultra-high frequencies (hundreds of GHz or THz range), improving spectral efficiency, and leveraging mesh networking.
Additionally, 5G Advanced, the precursor to 6G, explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and tighter convergence between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.
Environmental sustainability is a major challenge as 6G is expected to power billions of devices that require sustainable power solutions. 6G networks are expected to consume significantly more energy than previous generations due to increased network capacity and speeds, which could lead to increased carbon emissions and exacerbated environmental issues.
E-waste due to rapid obsolescence of devices and infrastructure required for 6G, unproven but potential health risks, and the high cost of infrastructure add to the list of obstacles researchers may face in the coming years. However, while 6G is still in its early stages, important groundwork is being laid through global research efforts to develop implementable specifications by the late 2020s and commercial deployment around 2030-2035.
Why is this important?
When thinking about a 6G world, some people envision “a digitized, programmable, connected, and sustainable physical world, where humans are supported by intelligent machines and an internet of senses,” Ericcson writes. “Key 6G use cases include e-health for all, precision medicine, smart agriculture, earth monitors, digital twins, collaborative robots, and robotic navigation. These use cases can be categorized into three broad use case scenarios: the internet of senses, connected intelligent machines, and a connected, sustainable world.”
But as HighSpeedInternet.com points out, “Of course, this is all entirely theoretical at this point,” and adds, “It’s important to acknowledge and address the potential negative impacts of any development and implementation. To ensure responsible progress, it’s critical to encourage open dialogue, prioritize ethical considerations, and pursue sustainable solutions so that the benefits of 6G can be maximized for all as we move toward a new era of connectivity.”
“Given that 5G deployment is not yet fully underway (and even 4G penetration remains low in remote areas), one might ask why the commitment to 6G is necessary,” Spiceworks adds. “Our primary focus is to support the Fourth Industrial Revolution by building bridges between human, machine and environmental nodes. Using machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), we will establish next-generation wireless communication networks for a range of devices, benefiting smart cities, autonomous vehicles, virtual reality, augmented reality, and smartphone and mobile network users.”
To achieve this, 6G will combine and correlate different technologies, including deep learning and big data analytics. There is a strong correlation between 6G and high performance computing (HPC). While edge computing resources may be able to process some IoT and mobile data, the majority of it will require more centralized HPC capacity, making 6G an essential part of the future of wireless communications.
The journey to 6G represents a major leap in wireless communication technology, and is poised to revolutionize various industries and social infrastructure. Although the deployment of 5G is not yet complete, and the debate on the necessity of 6G continues, the foundations laid in research and development are crucial in anticipating future demands and challenges.
From improving connectivity for IoT devices to enabling revolutionary applications like self-driving cars and holographic communications, the possibilities for 6G are endless. But to ensure responsible progress, it’s essential that concerns around environmental sustainability, ethical considerations, and equitable access are addressed. By fostering public-private collaboration and prioritizing innovation, the path to 6G promises a connected, sustainable future where technology meets humanity’s evolving needs.
