With 5G technology’s lightning-fast speeds and unparalleled connection already starting to revolutionise several industries, the tech world’s visionaries are already focused on the next big thing: 6G, which promises to push the boundaries of wireless technology with even faster speeds, reduced latency, and more reliability, even if it is still primarily conceptual and years away from practical deployment. Let’s investigate which nations are leading the world in the development of 6G.
It’s important to understand what 6G is and how it varies from 5G before diving into the trends. 6G networks seek to push those limits even farther, offering gigabit speeds, low latency, and vast data capacity in contrast to 5G networks. Experts estimate that 6G will be a hundred times more powerful than 5G, with microsecond latency and terabit-level speed possible.
The global 6G market is expected to grow during the forecast period 2024–2035, according to TechSci Research’s “6G Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2018–2035, Segmented By Component (Hardware, Software, and Services), By Communication Infrastructure (Wireless, Fixed), By Application (Multisensory XR Applications, Connected Robotics and Autonomous Systems (CRAS), Wireless Brain-Computer Interactions (BCI), Digital Twins, Smart Cities, Internet of Everything (IoE), Blockchain and DLT, and Others), By End User (Government, Consumer, Industrial, and Enterprise), By Region.”
The growing need for 6G communication across several industries and the emphasis on low-latency networks for applications are driving the market’s rise. Even if 6G deployment is still in the works, the market seems to be very competitive.
Because of significant expenditures and research into enabling efficient transmission of 6G data over longer distances, the industry displays fragmentation despite the small number of 6G technology and service providers now available. Radio and baseband, network disaggregation, computable topology, machine learning, multimedia, and display are a few of the important technology pillars for the next 6G platforms.
Discovering the Potential of 6G is a wireless technology that will be able to do more than 5G. Sixth-generation (6G) networks will have far larger capacity and lower latency due to their ability to operate at higher frequencies. Enabling communication with a latency as low as one microsecond is one of 6G’s primary goals.
This corresponds to a throughput of one millisecond at present, but 1,000 times faster, or 1/1000th the latency, than that. This enormous advancement in latency reduction has significant ramifications for a wide range of applications, including real-time gaming and immersive virtual reality, as well as driverless cars and highly sensitive remote control systems. Additionally, the increased capacity of 6G networks will make it possible to seamlessly integrate Internet of Things (IoT) devices, smart infrastructure, and sophisticated industrial automation systems, supporting a growing ecosystem of connected devices.
Experts estimate that 6G will offer 1 terabyte of data per second at peak speeds, which is a significant improvement over 5G. This technological quantum leap would enable new applications like high-fidelity mobile holograms, truly immersive extended reality, and the seamless fusion of the digital and physical worlds, in addition to speeding up data-driven technologies like artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The Sixth Generation Marathon Leaders
As of right now, no nation can claim to have a completely functional 6G network. Still, a lot of countries are spending money on R&D to be the first with this ground-breaking technology. China is in the lead in this competition.
The country has advanced in telecommunications and plans to lead 6G technologies. China launched a satellite to test terahertz signal transmission, a step toward 6G. China wants to lead the new mobile internet with official support and investment. In addition to its rapid R&D, China has IT giants like Huawei and ZTE that manufacture advanced wireless infrastructure and devices.
China leads, but other nations are following. South Korea, a pioneer in 5G, is also researching 6G. The South Korean government has invested much in 6G technology to commercialise it by 2028.
China promotes 6G international collaboration with an open approach to telecommunications. This contrasts with the US tech blockade, which disrupted global supply lines. Future 6G will connect people, robots, and the meta-universe. Additionally, it will improve 5G application situations.
South Korea, known for its rapid 5G adoption, is a strong 6G candidate. Samsung and LG have begun 6G preparations. The government’s intentions to invest USD200 million in 6G research and development over the next decade demonstrate its commitment.
South Korea’s scientific ministry, which allocates frequency ranges, has designated its proposed 6G communication frequency bands as global standard contenders. At the ITU-hosted World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), the country’s three frequency ranges outnumbered other nations’ 23 spectrums.
South Korea started its research later than China or the United States, but it still plans to launch 6G technology in 2026, three years ahead of China.
The United States has always led technical innovation, and 6G is no exception. Research and development have begun at major American IT corporations and universities. The FCC has declared “terahertz” wave bands experimental, allowing 6G testing. AT&T, Verizon, and the Next G Alliance are shaping 6G, which could make mobile internet and cloud computing global.
US politicians should encourage government agencies to allocate more spectrum for cellular innovation. Higher charges for idle spectrum and better spectrum use incentives can achieve this. The Department of Defence, the largest spectrum user in the country, should work with the FCC and NTIA to assess its spectrum use and develop a spectrum release strategy.
Europe isn’t idle either. Large-scale European Union (EU) initiatives like Horizon Europe promote innovation and research. Nokia, based in Finland, is driving 6G development with its involvement in the Hexa-X project, the European flagship for 6G research. EU programmes like Horizon Europe and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) fund collaborative research initiatives, promote academia-industry-government cooperation, and advance 6G technology and standards.
In 2020, the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance received government funding for 6G research in Germany. In 2020, Surrey University (UK) opened a 6G Innovation Centre outside the EU. Additionally, Russia’s Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology introduced a gadget that could develop 6G components.
Japan is another important competitor that has strong technology and innovation. Japan began 6G research in 2020, a little late. However, the nation aims to launch next-generation mobile data technologies by 2030. Like South Korea, the government has allotted a USD 9.6 billion development fund for future technologies like 6G. National industry leaders including NTT DoCoMo and Toshiba and university institutions form the Beyond 5G Promotion Consortium to push 6G. The Japanese government also plans to fund 6G technology research.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Japan plans to change Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) rules to push 6G technology. The goal is to provide NTT with the flexibility and autonomy to accelerate its research and development in this field and remove legislative hurdles that hinder its worldwide competitiveness.
The global race for 6G technology is well underway, with many countries investing heavily in research and development to be at the forefront of this next-generation wireless technology. While no nation has a fully functional 6G network at present, several countries are making significant strides in this area.
As the global competition for 6G technology continues, it’s clear that the future of wireless communications will be shaped by the advancements and breakthroughs in this area, ultimately benefiting industries, consumers, and societies worldwide.