While most users have yet to experience the benefits of 5G, the race for the next big upgrade has already started, and both companies and governments seem to have accepted the challenge. After all, there are many voices comparing the development of 6G technology with the industrial revolution, so it should come as no surprise that everyone keeps their eyes on the prize. 6G is said to be up to 100 times faster than 5G, and that means not only faster technology but also developments that we cannot even imagine. But is the sixth generation of wide-area wireless technology something to consider in 2021, or are the challenges ahead making its future uncertain?
Although China has successfully developed and launched what some have dubbed “the world’s first 6G satellite” in space, the truth of the matter seems to be more complicated. Despite the label, 6G doesn’t exist yet, and only some aspects of the technology can be anticipated with ease. This doesn’t make the new technology any less exciting for companies and governments everywhere, but it may raise concerns when it comes to safe investments and careful planning. While it is certain that the world will outgrow 5G and replace it with the next best thing, the road to that point is still unpredictable in many ways.
Technological Rivalries?
6G is now only a theoretical hypothesis, but with geopolitics driving technological rivalries around the world, the new technology is expected to become an important milestone for all. China and the U.S. seem to be particularly affected by this phenomenon, with the former going as far as to put into orbit a new satellite to test terahertz-frequency radio technology and then refer to it as “the world’s first 6G satellite“. This new technology will certainly be included in the 6G standard, but with the industry still several years away from agreeing upon the full list of specifications, the news is considered to be exaggerated at best.
The new satellite is not, however, the only step taken by China and her allies along the road to 6G. Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE are expected to provide China with new opportunities to win the race for 6G technology. While the former joined forces with China Unicom and Galaxy Aerospace to expand its 6G research, ZTE also partnered with China Unicom to work on “6G technological innovation and standards.” With both companies serving as pillars in building the future of 6G, China’s research and development seems to be gaining even more speed.
Where Apple Joins the Race
China is not alone in thinking 6G may become a disruptive force well-worth investing in. Although Apple has just recently launched its new 5G iPhones, the American multinational technology company announced it will hire engineers to develop 6G wireless technology. In 2020, Apple joined the Next G Alliance, a group of companies working on standards for 6G and other future technologies. Google, LG Electronics, Bell Canada, Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung, Qualcomm, Facebook, and Microsoft are also part of the group.
While China and the U.S. are clearly beginning their own journey to 6G, Europe is also considering the challenges of growth and sustainability on its own. The Hexa-X project seems to be the European answer to future challenges, and it’s funded through the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program. The project focuses on new radio access technologies, AI-driven air interface and governance for future networks, and 6G architecture. It includes partnerships with Nokia, Ericsson, Siemens, TIM, Orange, and many other companies. By bringing together key players, universities, and research centers, Hexa-X hopes to lay the foundation for future 6G networks across Europe and the world.
Scientific obstacles and future developments are still standing between today and the moment when the new standard becomes available, between 5G and 6G. However, the race has already started for both companies and governments across the world, and everybody hopes to face the future from a stronger position. While researchers and companies across the world strive to transform challenges of growth and sustainability into real opportunities, governments are faced not only with the problems of a post-pandemic world but also with geopolitical risks when it comes to new technologies. China has emerged as the leader in 5G, with Huawei alone accounting for 32.8% of the global communications equipment market. Will it also win the race for 6G?
