Since 1979, when NTT launched the first generation of cellular networks in Tokyo, mobile connectivity has come a long way. 1G was quickly followed by 2G and 3G. These were networks centered on voice and text communication. The more contemporary 4G and 5G have enabled advanced content and massive data consumption.
By 2023, more than four decades after it all began, mobile carriers, telcos and vendors are back at the design table, shaping the ultimate generation of mobile networks: 6G.
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What is 6G?
6G is a term reserved for the sixth generation of mobile networks. Why do networks evolve? Technological innovations and the amount of data that must result from them data centers devices have grown exponentially. Moreover, networks improve more than bandwidth. They decrease latency or delay and power consumed during data transmissions while improving reliability, security and performance.
From 2023, 5G networks are rapidly being rolled out around the world. The virtualization of network hardware, which now operates in the cloud with RAN open standards — streamlines deployment. But 5G is set to become obsolete soon, as the digital and physical world begins to merge with virtual reality and augmented reality. Moreover, the internet of things and industrial IoT are growing to serve the fourth industrial revolution.
These new technologies and the amount of data that needs to be communicated instantly between devices requires a generation of faster, more reliable and more robust mobile networks – this is 6G.
TO SEE: From 5G to 6G: the race for innovation and disruption (TechRepublic)
6G is still in the research and development phase and, like all mobile networks, will work with radio transmissions. 6G is also expected to extend connectivity to rural and remote areas, impacting populations affected by the digital divide. The technology, in theory, will also connect the space and satellite sector with its powerful capability and low cost.
However, to exceed the performance of 5G while providing high capacity, low latency and connectivity, 6G must use new high-frequency bands, such as the sub-terahertz bands above 100 GHz. These radio waves are more sensitive to obstacles, presenting technological challenges that have yet to be resolved.
Mobile networks are built in engineered network areas where antennas, nodes, edge centers, gateways, and cloud-based Open RAN virtual machines are used to connect devices. Since radio waves require a line of sight for successful transmission, several factors must be considered, such as urban blocking, refraction, diffraction, scattering, absorption, and reflection of radio waves.
To address these barriers, the industry plans to create multipath environments that allow sensitive high-frequency waves to pass through without losing strength, consuming too much power, and providing low latency. Computer applications of artificial intelligence will be key in calculating the shortest and most optimal paths for 6G radio waves.
Benefits of 6G
6G offers improved connectivity
The most direct and obvious benefit of 6G is that it supercharges connectivity by providing instant communications for any device, smartphone, computer, wearables, robotics and IoT. For the industrial sector – on a digital acceleration, deploying smart factories, production and distribution systems – 6G will connect industrial IoT devices and drive the fourth industrial revolution with a central structure of automation and intelligence.
Every industry will benefit from improved connectivity. For example, healthcare, remote and robotic surgery, and telehealth are set to be revolutionized with 6G. Likewise, industries going through a deep journey of digitalization and modernization – finance, retail, manufacturing and others – will leverage 6G to continue disruptive transformations.
6G will drive technological innovation
6G mobile networks are a decisive component of innovation. With supercomputers, quantum computing, machine learning, AI, global cloud data centers, the metaverse, and new devices, the technologies of the future will only be able to function with 6G connectivity.
6G is low consumption and energy efficient
Low power consumption and energy efficiency are key benefits of 6G. Organizations and companies strive to achieve net zero emissions goals and work to reduce energy consumption driven by economic and environmental reasons. The energy saving of 6G has become attractive for all industries. Additionally, low-power connections are needed to extend the battery life of IoT and mobile devices.
6G offers low latency
6G is going to benefit society with incredibly low latency. Latency refers to the delay of a digital system when transferring data. The more data, the greater the effort required by the network; therefore, the chances of latency increase. But thanks to 6G innovation, connectivity should be instantaneous.
Disadvantages of 6G
6G may seem like the promise of the future, but it still faces many challenges.
6G is still in the development phase
At present, 6G technology is in the development stage – this is its most significant drawback. While companies like Nokia, NTT and others plan to test small 6G networks, these are just pilot projects. 6G is expected to be rolled out globally in 2030. For now, this is still a very theoretical technology.
TO SEE: NTT develops the world’s fastest wireless communication area estimation technology (TechRepublic)
Massive investments and efforts are needed for the global deployment of 6G
The second most crucial drawback of 6G is global rollout. Recently, with 5G, the world has witnessed the many obstacles that arise when building and operating a new generation of mobile networks.
Considerable investment and effort are needed for mobile networks to become widespread on all continents. Coordination, standardization and industry collaboration are essential. Telecom operators, mobile providers and hardware manufacturers are used to working in competition, not in partnership, and 5G and 6G require a change in these business models.
6G requires the development of new network architectures
6G presents a wide range of technical challenges that need to be resolved before it can enter the production and operational phases. The design of new network architectures, combining AI, nodes, edge and cloud to design 6G connectivity continues to puzzle even the brightest minds in the industry.
Smartphones, computers and IoT devices also need to be redesigned at the hardware and software level to be 6G compatible. Again, standardization and interprofessional collaboration are essential.
The initial investment costs of 6G are high
Another challenge is to deliver the value of 6G as a very low cost connectivity technology. Eventually, 6G could reduce costs for end users compared to 5G, but the initial investment required globally to reach this point is monumental. Other technical challenges include energy efficiency, optimizing terahertz-sensitive frequency paths, stabilizing visible light communication technology, and optimizing the AI, ML, and advanced computing resources needed to operate these futuristic networks.
6G requires rethinking traditional cybersecurity
Security is a top priority for the development of 6G. With the redesign of networks, cybersecurity and privacy features need to be redesigned, strengthened and adapted. Traditional cybersecurity methods will become obsolete and developers must innovate in authentication, encryption, access control, communication and detection of malicious activity to ensure robust security postures for 6G users.
TO SEE: Why 5G (and even 6G) could expose your business to a cyberattack (TechRepublic)
6G key features
High performance and low latency
Global demand for data transfer is the main driver of 6G. From AR and VR to smart cities and the fourth industrial revolution, 6G will enable unprecedented levels of automation and data flows. Future networks will need to instantly move big data with agility, speed, and reliability.
Low cost
With each new generation of mobile networks, the cost and price of connectivity for end users has decreased. 6G should be the most accessible and open network ever built. This will help the world fight the digital divide, boost economies and create new business opportunities.
Energy optimization
The energy factor is central in 6G technology. Not only is it aligned with clean energy and carbon emissions milestones, but its optimization is badly needed if 6G is to deliver efficient and low-cost services. Reducing power consumption is critical to providing the expected battery life cycles required by Industrial IoT, IoT, new wearables, smartphones, and computers.
Security
Cyberattacks targeting networks are on the rise with the endless expansion of the digital surface and the addition of billions of endpoints and devices. Creating a bigger, faster and better network is a double-edged sword. Cybercriminals will use the power of 6G to their advantage. Thus, 6G will require new security protocols, new encryption standards and a new generation of firewalls and intrusion detection security solutions.
Innovation
6G will not only drive innovation, it will require it to work. The advanced and complex architecture of 6G mobile network areas will use daily AI, ML and supercomputing processes to ensure connectivity and security.
The rise of 6G
The race for 6G is well underway, with the main global operators already moving into the test phases. Without a doubt, 6G is unavoidable. However, 6G is not the business of one person and one company. To build the next generation of connectivity, a multitude of companies, organizations and developers must come together.
Learn more about this topic as NTT announced last month the development of a new wave propagation simulation technologyessential for the future of communications, 6G, IoT and other sectors.