Smartphone manufacturers have only recently started advertising 5G connectivity on their phones. Companies like Apple and Samsung first introduced 5G compatibility on their premium flagships, then extended it to the entire range of their new generation phones. Smartphone users have just started adapting to 5G technology, but telecom companies are already working on the next big thing.
Regarding 6G, there have been numerous rumors spreading. Although the successor to 5G isn’t yet available, Austin, Texas, is living proof that it is. The 6G@UT research facility was established by wireless researchers to begin investigating the 6G rollout process. With this University of Texas effort, Samsung and Qualcomm have teamed together and promise quick results.
On the other hand, efforts to improve 5G are still being made. Wireless experts gathered at the 2021 Mobile World Congress to talk about the emergence of 5G Advanced, a variant of 5G that claims to offer even higher speeds than the current version. Furthermore, the FCC Chairwoman talked about the potential rollout of 6G at this year’s conference, which highlighted the technology.
So, does 6G actually exist? And when can we anticipate noticing it all around us? Let’s take a closer look at 6G technology to better understand it before attempting to respond to these queries.
What is 6G?
6G is essentially a more recent iteration of the 5G network. Cloud-based technology and high-frequency bands will facilitate rapid Internet access. The benefit of 6G technology is that it won’t be limited to cellphones, which is good. Systems for driverless vehicles and smart homes will also use the new network.
It might develop into the next big thing in communication. With 6G, present 5G network speeds could be improved by up to 50 times. These numbers are amazing, especially when you consider Statista’s forecast that the typical 6G consumer data rate will be close to 1000 Gbps. This practically means that the Internet experience for everyday consumers and businesses will drastically change, offering them absurdly high
However, analysts anticipate that as 5G technology develops, customers will eventually have access to lightning-fast rates of up to 10,000 Mbps. It follows that 6G will offer even better Internet connectivity with little to no latency whenever it launches. Given how little research has been done on the practical ramifications, the current predictions aren’t particularly reliable.
Key Features of 6G
Even though it is still too early to define the primary characteristics of 6G, several experts have made educated guesses. Therefore, the following are some of the anticipated important features of 6G:
- A speed of 1000 Gbps or 1 TBps
- Frequencies of 100 GHz or even higher
- Energy-efficient communication
- Latency reduced to only a few microseconds
- More number of connected devices (10 million per km2)
6G: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Each new piece of technology has distinct benefits and drawbacks. Depending on whoever you speak with, information regarding 6G also varies. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of 6G, though:
Advantages of 6G
- Here are some ways that 6G aims to improve wireless technology:
- According to reports, 6G technology will enable far more mobile connections than the networks that came before it. The typical user will benefit from a quick connection and no gadget interference. This results in streamlined service and easy network access.
- With 6G, wireless speed increases will be unprecedented. The average data rate will soar, but only mmWave-capable devices will be able to access it. Users will be able to enjoy lightning-fast speeds right from the palm of their hands once these devices are developed.
- The area that 4G or 5G connectivity covers is one of their annoying features. With 6G, this won’t be a concern. 6G networks will reach extensive
Disadvantages of 6G
Here are some potential drawbacks that 6G may have:
- The implementation of 6G can have a significant learning curve. Users of smartphones are not particularly affected by this, but global telecom carriers are. Because new technology has its own Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which can be challenging to share globally, learning new technology can be challenging.
- The cost of 6G-capable devices will be higher than those we can currently purchase. Modern technology calls for sophisticated features, all of which will cost consumers far more of their hard-earned cash.
- Due to the fact that users of older devices won’t be able to access the network, the 6G deployment may also cause some compatibility concerns. In underdeveloped nations where switching to a new network requires much more time, this will be worse.
When Can We Expect the Market for 6G?
How long it will take for 6G to become available is not yet known. According to Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark, the 6G network should be available by 2030. Along with international cooperation, there is still a lot more testing to be done. There is a chance that various nations could start developing 6G on their own, which would pose issues for the typical user. This might also mean that those who use smartphones won’t be able to connect to 6G when they travel to other countries, such in Japan.
In Conclusion
Although 6G seems like an innovative innovation, experts have cautioned that for the time being, you should proceed with caution. This is because, despite the fact that 5G is technically in widespread usage, many telecom providers haven’t adopted it since they fell short of certain global standards. The majority of businesses offer 4G LTE, which they market as faster than 4G but not yet 5G.
Furthermore, wireless researchers predicted that 4G will reach rates of up to 100–1000 Mbps, however that prediction failed because 4G network average speeds hardly ever go beyond 40 Mbps. Wireless technology clearly does not advance as swiftly as many believe.
The final recommendation is to maintain your optimism because 6G is close to becoming a reality. It won’t, however, be applied widely any time soon.