What are the latest developments on 6G?
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Are you ready for 6G? Maybe not, but it's inching closer with an anticipated arrival by the 2030s. Industry stakeholders are already deep into discussions about the protocols, capabilities, and transformative potential of sixth-generation mobile networks.
It seems like yesterday that the world was excited about the 'future' launch of 5G—and now, 5G is revolutionizing connectivity across the globe. However, the mobile telecoms business is always looking ahead, and the conversation has shifted to 6G.
While much of 6G remains in the conceptual stage, industry players have outlined ambitious goals for its capabilities and potential impact. Let’s dive in.
What is 6G?
In essence, 6G is the next evolution in mobile network technology. But the real intrigue lies in what 6G aims to accomplish. Although it’s likely years away from deployment, the industry has already outlined two key ambitions: 6G Internet Will Enable the "Internet of Senses" 6G is expected to go beyond the current internet of things (IoT) to create an “Internet of Senses.” This involves enabling immersive, multi-sensory digital experiences on a massive scale. According to Cap Gemini, 6G networks will integrate touch, taste, and smell into communications, alongside sight and sound. This sensory expansion will unlock futuristic applications, such as ultra-realistic mixed reality, holographic communication, and tactile internet experiences. Nokia Bell Labs elaborates, stating that 6G networks will use situational awareness from bounced signals to create a “digital twin” of the physical world. This will be transformative for industries like urban planning, healthcare, and manufacturing. Self-sustaining connectivity Ericsson believes 6G will enable devices to operate without batteries by harvesting ambient energy from vibrations, light, temperature gradients, or even radio-frequency waves. Deploying zero-energy devices will remove all limitations associated with battery replacement and charging. This could hugely expand IoT use cases such as logistics, warehousing, shipping, environmental monitoring, agriculture, telehealth, etc. Experts have cited other key 6G qualities, such as the self-learning network, alongside these two transformative benefits. In 6G, a dynamic AI/ML-defined native air interface can allow radiosity to learn from one another and their environments. Those nodes could determine the best communication method rather than rely on engineers. Another important development could be in security and trust. More devices mean more attack surface for cybercriminals. Meanwhile, the emergence of mixed-reality worlds will also offer new opportunities for scammers. Nokia Bell Labs believes 6G has the potential to defend against these threats, citing new tech such as Quantum Key Distribution and homomorphic encryption. |
How might 6G change everyday life?
Speculations abound on how 6G will reshape daily life. Based on insights from the standards body IEEE and other industry leaders, here are some ideas :
• Phones may be further developed into keys and money.
• Voice or movement could replace typing.
• Implanted sensors, telesurgery, and wearables could transform healthcare.
• Holographic meetings might succeed in online conference calls.
• 6G could reach remote locations with no Internet access via satellites.
• Humans will better communicate with robots, IoT devices, and wearables.
• Robots and drones might perform dangerous jobs in place of humans
• Education is reaching further and becoming more immersive.
• Sensing where devices are could improve identity and reduce fraud
• Smart agriculture could control water, monitor livestock, and provide accurate pesticide use.
• 6G smart grids could optimize energy distribution.
When will 6G arrive?
Designing a new-generation mobile network is hugely complicated. It involves thousands of researchers and developers who must agree on underlying technological standards before building the network.
Today, 6G standards have not been defined.
However, there has been substantial research activity. Various new industry bodies have each made proposals on the roadmap for 6G. They include the European Hexa-X project, which first met in 2021, the North American Next G Alliance (NGA), and the Chinese IMT-2030 (6G) Promotion Group.
A 6G Industry Association (6GIA) was created as the voice of European industry and research for next-generation networks.
In June 2023, there was arguably the first significant 6G milestone. It was when the International Telecommunication Union — Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) presented its standard for 6G technology, the Draft IMT-2030 (6G) Framework Recommendation.
ITU members described the recommendation as "covering key information regarding the usage scenarios that 6G will pursue – as well as capabilities and roadmaps toward the international standardization and commercialization of 6G."
Overall, the consensus seems to be that discussions on the exact technical specifications will start in 2025, leading to the first 6G specification in 3GPP Release 21 by 2028.
First commercial deployments will begin around 2030.
5G vs 6G
Here are the main differences between 5G and 6G: 5G (Fifth Generation)
6G (Sixth Generation)
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