What Is 6G & When Is It Available?

Was the era of 5G over? Although it may seem surprising, talk has begun of a new future generation of networks in China, 6G. The future is on the way, and questions are already starting to arise about the advantages of this technology, when it will arrive, or simply what it consists of.

We will solve all these doubts around a new connection that will give a lot to talk about in the coming years in the telecommunications sector.

What is 6G?

The sixth generation of mobile connectivity, or as it is popularly known, 6G, is the successor to 5G with higher speed and lower reaction time. Although it is already echoing what 6G will be and with 5G still in force, a transition period is expected. Specifically, it will be in 2024 when 5G+ or advanced 5G will burst in with speeds reaching 10 Gbps.

Under the same objective as 5G, 6G will try to reduce connection latency and raise transmission speeds to levels never seen before. The fields that benefit the most from 6G are extended reality, artificial intelligence, energy efficiency, and holographic communications.

What benefits does 6G have?

In an increasingly connected world like today’s, future technology must consider this fact and improve the combination of different realities. In this regard, the emergence of this technology will speed up this connection and combine it with new trends such as virtual, augmented, or mixed reality.

Even considering the machine learning that AI implies, with 6G, it will be about networks being distributed, optimized, and managed autonomously.

This technology’s efficiency is also one of its most significant advantages. And is that saving energy supposes an opportunity for optimization of the resources and a greater capacity of support that allows a simultaneous connection between different devices.

5G vs. 6G

5G is relatively recent, so the appearance of 6G has impacted the market. And when 5G begins to be promoted at a commercial level, the research and development projects of the new technology that will be imposed begin.

Being so close in time, there are hardly any differences between one generation and another, but the reality is that they are different. Some of the differences between 5G and 6G are the following:

• 5G and 6G use both parts of the spectrum. On the one hand, 5G covers broadband frequencies below 6 GHz and 24.25 GHz above. Both will be known as the low and high bands. Instead, 6G will move between 95 GHz and 3 THz (terahertz). Thanks to these wavelengths, the speed of 6G will exceed 5G by 1,000 times.
• The Internet of Things ( IoT ) is achieved through 5G. Now, the mission of 6G will be to improve and accelerate 5G for this technology.
• 6G will be used for particular purposes. In other words, 5G does not replace 6G; this new technology will be applied for business, industrial, or even military purposes. The most striking use of 6G technology is its use in automated drones for military purposes.
• The infrastructures required by 5G posed difficulties that affected its speed. With 6G, they will make the most of it, improving connectivity both on land, at sea, or, most surprisingly, in space.
• The latency time (information packet transmitted on a frequency) in 5G networks is 5ms. With 6G, latency will be reduced from 1 millisecond to 1 microsecond. In this way, massive data transmission is achieved since latency is reduced five times that of the 5G network.

Was 6G necessary?

Currently, 5G has already covered people’s needs in terms of handling large volumes of unstructured data online. However, related factors such as 6G technology, such as minimum latency or maximum communication reliability, and other external factors, such as M2M communication linked to the Internet of Things, favor the birth of this new generation.

The forecasts regarding this new technology are to connect ten times more devices per square kilometer. The power that the current 5G cannot achieve. This aspect is fundamental in responding to the automation flooding all sectors.

When will 6G?

The commercial launch of this new generation is scheduled for the year 2030. Although there are still years left for it to take place, one must be aware that the current 5G still needs to be implemented. For this reason, there are areas where they can go from 4G to 6G without going through a transition period.

This new technology is not a theoretical concept, but satellites with 6G capacity from China have already been put into orbit to test their effectiveness. After this launch, it was followed by other telecommunications giants such as Huawei or Samsung that have underway research projects for this technology.

Frequently asked questions:

1. What is 6G and how is it different from 5G?

6G refers to the sixth generation of wireless communication technology, which is expected to succeed 5G. It aims to provide even faster data speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connections compared to its predecessor. Unlike 5G, which primarily focused on enhancing mobile broadband services, 6G is anticipated to offer transformative capabilities, enabling a wide range of new applications and services.

Key information:

1. 6G is the next generation of wireless communication technology after 5G.
2. It aims to provide faster data speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connections.
3. 6G is expected to enable transformative applications and services beyond mobile broadband.

2. What are the potential benefits of 6G?

6G holds the potential to revolutionize various industries and aspects of our lives. Some of the potential benefits of 6G include:
– Ultra-high-speed connectivity: 6G is expected to provide data rates in the order of terabits per second, enabling lightning-fast downloads and uploads.
– Reduced latency: The latency in 6G networks is expected to be significantly lower than previous generations, facilitating real-time communication and enabling applications like autonomous vehicles and remote surgeries.
– Massive connectivity: 6G is projected to support a massive number of connected devices simultaneously, creating opportunities for smart cities, Internet of Things (IoT), and seamless integration of various technologies.

Key information:

1. 6G can provide ultra-high-speed connectivity with terabit-per-second data rates.
2. It aims to reduce latency, enabling real-time communication and applications such as autonomous vehicles.
3. 6G is designed to support massive connectivity, enabling smart cities and IoT integration.

3. When can we expect 6G to be available?

The development and deployment timeline of 6G is still uncertain, as 5G is still being rolled out in many parts of the world. However, industry experts predict that 6G networks may start to become commercially available around the 2030s. It typically takes several years for new generations of wireless technology to be standardized, tested, and implemented on a global scale.

Key information:

1. The availability of 6G is expected to be around the 2030s.
2. It takes time for new generations of wireless technology to go through standardization, testing, and global implementation.
3. The deployment timeline for 6G depends on the progress and adoption of 5G.

4. What are some potential use cases for 6G?

6G is anticipated to enable a multitude of innovative applications across various industries. Some potential use cases for 6G include:
– Extended reality (XR): 6G can enhance XR technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), offering immersive experiences with ultra-high-definition visuals and seamless interaction.
– Smart infrastructure: 6G can support advanced infrastructure systems, including smart grids, intelligent transportation systems, and autonomous infrastructure management.
– Healthcare advancements: 6G’s low latency and high reliability can enable remote surgeries, telemedicine, and the widespread use of health monitoring devices.

Key information:

1. 6G can enhance extended reality (XR) technologies like VR and AR.
2. It enables the development of smart infrastructure and autonomous management systems.
3. 6G has the potential to revolutionize healthcare with applications like remote surgeries and telemedicine.

5. What are the challenges in implementing 6G?

While 6G holds tremendous potential, there are several challenges that need to be addressed for its successful implementation. Some of these challenges include:
– Technological hurdles: Developing the necessary technologies and standards for 6G, including ultra-high-frequency bands, massive MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) systems, and advanced signal processing techniques.
– Spectrum availability: Identifying and allocating sufficient spectrum for 6G networks, as higher frequency bands may be required to achieve the desired data rates.
– Infrastructure requirements: Building the infrastructure necessary to support 6G, including an extensive network of base stations, small cells, and backhaul connectivity.

Key information:

1. Implementing 6G involves addressing technological challenges like ultra-high-frequency bands and massive MIMO systems.
2. Sufficient spectrum allocation is crucial for achieving the desired data rates in 6G networks.
3. Building the required infrastructure, including base stations and connectivity, is a significant consideration for 6G implementation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 6G represents the next frontier in wireless communication technology, offering unparalleled speed, ultra-low latency, and massive connectivity. Its potential benefits span various industries, from extended reality and smart infrastructure to healthcare advancements. While the timeline for 6G availability is still uncertain, ongoing research and development efforts are paving the way for this transformative technology. However, challenges related to technology, spectrum allocation, and infrastructure must be overcome to realize the full potential of 6G in the future.