The hype around 6G technology is growing due to its potential impact in areas such as augmented reality. However, no significant commercial 6G developments are expected by 2024 in the commercial arena. It is likely that 6G technology will not be widely available to consumers for several more years. Experts say that mass, commercial adoption of 6G may not occur until 2030, although pilot trials are expected in 2026 and 2028. We must wait to enjoy the availability of 6G technology, 6G cell phones and widespread 6G coverage of this technology in our daily lives.
However, 6G technology is expected to have a revolutionary impact on augmented reality (AR) and Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity. With ultra-low latency and unprecedented graphical, 6G offers the ability to interact with digital information overlaid on the real world in real-time. For instance, students can virtually explore Egyptian pyramids or human cells in detail, while engineers can simulate full-scale projects in their final location.
6G technology has the potential to revolutionise various sectors, including education and engineering. Additionally, 6G technology will enable the connection of billions of devices with unprecedented data speeds and energy efficiency in IoT. The implementation of 6G technology will enable the creation of smart cities, where everything from autonomous vehicles to traffic lights will be connected to optimize resources and improve people's quality of life. Various areas such as Industry 4.0, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence will greatly benefit from the unparalleled capabilities offered by 6G for IoT.
But is 6G available, what will 6G coverage look like, what exactly is 6G, and why should we pay attention to it? In this article, we provide answers to questions about 6G technology.
What will 6G bring?
6G is the next generation of mobile connectivity technology, succeeding 5G. Similar to 5G, which improved upon 4G, 6G is expected to offer faster data speeds and lower latency.
During the transition period towards full adoption of 6G, advanced 5G technologies such as 5G+ are expected to emerge by 2024. Huawei has named this phase 5.5G, which uses MIMO technology to achieve speeds of up to 10Gbps, as it explained at MWC 2024.
While the technical details and standards for 6G, including spectrum bands for data transmission, are still being defined, commercial deployment is anticipated to commence around 2030, with pilot trials taking place between 2026 and 2028.
As per the ITU-R M.2160 recommendation by the International Telecommunication Union, 6G aims to achieve a maximum data rate of 200 Gbps, with sustained speeds ranging between 300 and 500 Mbps.
What are the benefits of 6G over 5G?
The first infrastructures deployed will be able to achieve speeds five times the theoretical limit of 5G, while reducing latency to one tenth, or just 0.1 milliseconds. This advance will enable near-real-time transmissions that are vital for sectors such as medicine and the automotive industry.
With the advent of 6G technology, unprecedented advances in transmission speeds are on the horizon, with speeds of up to 1,000Gbps for both download and upload. This exponential increase in speed will facilitate the adoption of advanced multimedia formats, ensuring a seamless and uninterrupted data exchange experience.
The introduction of 6G will bring us closer to a scenario where virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality converge, enabling the real-time transmission of content such as holography with exceptional clarity and accuracy, regardless of the limitations of current mobile networks. In addition, networks are expected to dramatically improve in terms of speed, latency, number of connected devices, bandwidth and energy efficiency.
However, challenges remain in terms of device architecture. In this scenario, major European operators such as Telefónica, Vodafone and Orange have joined forces to urge Europe to adopt Open RAN networks. This could position the continent at the forefront of 6G technology development and adoption.
Impact of 6G on different sectors
The advent of 6G will bring significant advances in many industrial and economic sectors, such as medicine and automotive. This technological innovation will lead to significant improvements in areas such as augmented reality and holographic communication, as well as advanced artificial intelligence, automation and networking. It is also expected to bring about a significant improvement in energy efficiency, leading to extremely low consumption. Specifically and by sector, 6G is expected to enable the following developments
Smart cities and the Internet of Things (IoT)
6G technology will accelerate the convergence of IoT devices, driving the development of smart cities and smart infrastructure. From advanced power grids to autonomous vehicles and networked environmental and health monitoring systems, cities will be able to be managed with unprecedented precision and personalisation. This includes the optimisation of public services and environmental management.
Immersive technologies
Thanks to the high speed and low latency of 6G communications, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) will merge the physical and digital worlds. From immersive gaming to remote collaboration, virtual tourism and experiential learning.
Telemedicine and remote healthcare
6G capabilities will revolutionise healthcare delivery, overcoming geographical barriers and improving access to healthcare services. This technology will enable remote consultations, telemedicine procedures and real-time monitoring of patients' vital signs.
Autonomous systems and robotics
Autonomous vehicles and robotic systems will benefit from the low latency and high reliability of 6G. This will enable everything from the operation of autonomous cars in urban environments to improved safety and efficiency in transport.
The deployment of 6G technology is expected in 2030, with pilot trials planned for 2026. The next decade is crucial for its commercialisation, although the timeframe remains speculative. Despite progress in developing components like the 6G router, global adoption faces significant technical and regulatory challenges.
TU will continue to monitor all developments related to 6G and other important innovation topics.
