At a time when fifth generation (5G) networks are still expanding across the world, the development of sixth generation (6G) technologies has gradually transformed from laboratory research and experiments into a frenetic global race to shape communications features during the next decade.
Technical estimates reveal the scale of the expected transformation in the communications sector. The International Telecommunication Union framework for “IMT-2030” networks specifies data transfer speeds ranging between 50 and 200 gigabits per second, depending on usage scenarios, far exceeding 5G levels. ITU studies also indicate targeting a speed of up to 1 terabit per second in some future communication scenarios, emphasizing that this number does not reflect an expected commercial communication speed for an individual consumer.
The technical leap of the sixth generation is not limited only to speed, but extends to reducing response time to a range between 0.1 and 1 millisecond, in addition to the ability to support between one million and 100 million devices per square kilometer. These networks support communication in devices moving at high speeds of up to 500 and 1,000 kilometers per hour without interruption, which demonstrates that “6G” was designed to be an operational platform for connected cars, robots and advanced industrial systems, and goes beyond being just a faster way to browse mobile phones.
With the rapid growth of the Internet of Things, the smartphone is no longer the primary device that requires connection to the network, after homes, factories, cars, hospitals, and cities increasingly depend on sensors and systems that are always connected. It is expected that sixth generation networks will accommodate much larger numbers of these devices with greater efficiency in managing data flow. This contributes to the establishment of more factories that rely on automation, and smart cities capable of managing traffic, energy, and public services with greater flexibility and accuracy.
