The 6G is the next generation of wireless telecommunications at another level/Tang Ke. As 5G technology begins to roll out across the world,...
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| The 6G is the next generation of wireless telecommunications at another level/Tang Ke. |
What is 6G?
6G is the next generation of wireless communications technology, which is expected to provide even faster and more reliable data transfer speeds than 5G. While 5G is expected to deliver speeds of up to 20 Gbps (gigabits per second), 6G could potentially reach speeds of up to 1 terabyte per second. It's also expected to have much lower latency, which means that data will be transferred almost instantaneously.
The Biden administration is beginning to plan for 6G wireless telecommunications, seeking to expand internet access while reasserting U.S. leadership in a sector where China has notched gains.
The White House on Friday will meet with corporate, government and academic experts to begin developing goals and strategies for the new 6G communications technology, which would have the ability to take cloud computing and the mobile internet to true global ubiquity, among other improvements.
The next generation of telecom is still years away from deployment, but it could pave the way for global internet access still unavailable with the current 5G standard, which makes smartphone downloads and wireless hot-spot connections faster. Expanding access to the internet has been a priority for the Biden administration as part of its infrastructure initiatives.
The 6G planning initiative also aims to reassert the leadership of the U.S. and its allies in telecommunications, where China has made gains thanks in part to careful nurturing of homegrown equipment manufacturing and increased participation in international standard-setting.
An administration official acknowledged that China used 5G effectively to advance its economic and national-security goals, such as gaining global market share over the West for its telecom-manufacturing companies, including Huawei Technologies Co.
“China really prioritized its telecom sector…and I think we may not have,” a senior administration official said in a press call Thursday. The administration also has focused on building and maintaining advantages in other high-tech areas where the U.S. faces new challenges from China. Those include semiconductor manufacturing, quantum computing and biotechnology.
Why is the U.S. planning for 6G?
There are several reasons why the U.S. is already planning for 6G. Firstly, there is a recognition that the development of new wireless technologies takes time, and it's important to start planning for the future now. Additionally, there is a sense that the U.S. needs to stay ahead of other countries when it comes to technological innovation, especially in areas such as artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and the internet of things.
There is also a concern that China, which has been investing heavily in 5G technology, could dominate the market for 6G if the U.S. doesn't act quickly. This could have implications not just for the U.S. economy but also for national security, as 6G is expected to be a key enabler of new military technologies.
What will 6G be used for?
While it's still early days for 6G, there are already some ideas about what it could be used for. One area where 6G is expected to have a big impact is in virtual and augmented reality. With its high speeds and low latency, 6G could allow for more immersive and interactive VR and AR experiences.
Another area where 6G could be used is in the development of autonomous vehicles. With its ability to transfer large amounts of data almost instantly, 6G could allow for more efficient and safer communication between self-driving cars. 6G is expected to play a key role in the development of smart cities. With its ability to connect large numbers of devices and sensors, 6G could enable cities to become more efficient, sustainable, and livable.
While 6G is still several years away from being a reality, it's clear that the U.S. is already thinking ahead. With its potential to revolutionize the way we connect and communicate, 6G could have a major impact on everything from entertainment to transportation to urban planning. By planning for 6G now, the U.S. is positioning itself to be a leader in the development of this important new technology.
Here are some links to resources where you can learn more about 6G research:
- IEEE Communications Magazine: 6G Wireless Networks: Vision, Requirements, and Challenges https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8872201
- Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance: 6G White Paper https://www.ngmn.org/fileadmin/ngmn/content/downloads/Technical/2019/NGMN_6G_White_Paper_V1_0.pdf
- National Science Foundation: Future of Wireless Networks https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/wireless/futurewireless.jsp
- European Union Horizon 2020: 6G Flagship Research Program https://cordis.europa.eu/programme/id/H2020_6G-PPP
- Samsung Research: 6G White Paper https://research.samsung.com/6G
- 6GWorld: News and Analysis on 6G https://www.6gworld.com/
- University of Oulu: 6G Research Program https://www.oulu.fi/6gflagship/
- Nokia Bell Labs: 6G Research Program https://www.bell-labs.com/innovation/6g/
- Ericsson: 6G Research Program https://www.ericsson.com/en/research/research-news/2020/6g-research-in-focus
- Qualcomm: 6G Research Program https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2021/06/29/6g-research-update-whats-next-6g