Even if you don’t have 5G, people are already talking about 6G. However, what exactly is 6G network technology? It’s more about what isn’t 6G at this time. So far, here’s what we know.
6G (sixth-generation wireless) is the successor to 5G cellular technology. These networks will be able to operate at higher frequencies than 5G networks, resulting in significantly increased capacity and lower latency.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standardizes wireless generations every 10 years or so. A gap in the “air interface,” or a shift in transmission or encoding, is usually visible. This is done to prevent previous-generation devices from being upgraded to new ones.
Although early research initiatives have begun thanks to funding from governments looking to gain an advantage, yet mobile telecom corporations are far too concentrated on 5G to cope with 6G in any substantial way.
According to a white paper published by Samsung, the ITU will begin work in 2021 to “define a 6G vision”. The standard is expected to complete by 2028, and the first products will be available around that time. Samsung estimates that widespread deployment will occur around 2030.
It’s a little early to talk about 6G right now.
Ericsson’s CTO Erik Ekudd
Ericsson’s CTO Erik Ekudden spoke at MWVC Shanghai in July 2019. After that, Verizon CTO Kyle Malady said in December 2020, “I genuinely don’t know what the hell 6G is.” We’ll say it again: 5G is the hot topic right now.
But, if research is only being started, when will this be available? Ekudden thinks that 6G will arrive in around a decade, which is consistent with Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei’s statement to CNBC in September 2019 that 6G will be at least ten years away.
To read more about Ericsson’s CTO Erik Ekudden’s view on this technology click here.
Why there’s so much hype about 6G now?
Now that 5G is working around the world, academics and tech companies alike are making wish lists of the wild, science-fictiony things we can’t accomplish right now but want to be able to do in 2030. They’re assisting in the development of Samsung’s “6G vision.”
Advances in technology may also help bring some of those far-fetched concepts to fruition. All of this is interesting if you’re interested in telecommunications. Those breakthroughs could influence social networking, telecommuting, and apps you use on a daily basis.
Although this technology is starting to make headlines – for example, there are stories that China has launched “the world’s first 6G satellite” into orbit – we won’t know whether these technologies fulfill the criteria until the telecoms industry agrees on specs.
And, given the slow pace of 5G deployment in Pakistan, both in terms of network infrastructure and device availability, 6G is unlikely to become mainstream before 2035.
How fast would 6G be?
We don’t yet know how fast 6G will be, but they expect it to be 100 times faster than 5G. The International Telecommunication Union will most likely be in charge of defining what a 6G connection is (ITU).
After more than eight years of labor, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has finalized 5G (IMT-2020) standards and is likely to begin a similar process for 6G soon.
Dr. Mahyar Shirvanimoghaddam of the University of Sydney is one of the most frequently mentioned, claiming that 6G may produce mind-boggling rates of 1TB per second or 8,000 gigabits per second. One Netflix series or movie downloading in a few seconds with 5G; with speeds like that, you can download 143 hours of Netflix shows in a single second.
What difference would 6G technology make in Pakistan?
While the technology we expect to emerge from 5G. From driverless cars and drones to smart cities. It will go beyond even more with 6G, it may also usher in science fiction applications such as brain-computer interfacing and vastly superior touch control systems worldwide and in Pakistan especially.
“It is feasible for cyberspace to provide assistance to human cognition and activity in real-world time using wearable gadgets and micro-devices attached to the human body,” according to NTT DoCoMo. Others have dubbed it “teleportation of senses” for similar reasons.
According to the report, speeds in excess of 100Gbps could enable sensory interfaces that feel and look exactly like real life, possibly through smart glasses or contact lenses. It goes on to say that for over-the-air charging, low power consumption is a priority. The coverage may extend across the sea and even into space.
Key features of 6G technology
Much Higher Data Rate
The highest data rate for 6G will be 1000 Gbps. Similarly, the user-experience data rate will increase to 1 Gbps. As a result, 6G’s spectral efficiency will be more than twice as high as 5G’s. A huge number of users will be able to access advanced multimedia services promptly and concurrently thanks to the improved spectral efficiency.
Network Reliability And Accuracy
In terms of network coverage and reliability, 6G will outperform 5G. At 500 km/h, 5G supports the fastest mobile device speeds. However, 6G will boost mobile device speeds to 10 devices per square kilometer. Because of the increased connection density, a huge number of connected devices will be able to interact in real-time.
Emphasis On Energy-Efficiency
End-users will be able to smoothly and rapidly access a number of high-end services through 6G. End-users, on the other hand, will require devices with powerful batteries in order to access high-end services without delay or disruption.
The goal of 6G is to double the battery life of gadgets. At the same time, the technology will help to ensure the long-term sustainability of the environment.
Much Lower Latency
The user experience latency will reduce to less than 0.1 milliseconds with 6th generation wireless communication technology. Many real-time applications that are delay-sensitive will benefit from the significant reduction in latency. In addition, the reduced latency will make an emergency response, remote surgeries, and industrial automation easier.
Machines As Primary Users
6G is developed with machines as the primary consumers in mind. Many connected devices and machines, such as robots, drones, driverless vehicles, smart displays, household appliances, and gadgets with smart sensors, will benefit from the ideal data rate and minimal latency provided by 6G.
Human users will also be able to effortlessly access next-generation mobile devices such as high-fidelity holograms, augmented reality (AR) glasses, and virtual reality (VR) headsets thanks to the wireless network.
Conclusion
Although 6G mobile communications is still a long way off, research and development, as well as some discussion about what 6G might look like, are already underway, and the pace will only pick up.
