Since 5G networks are still being rolled out around the world, and 4G and even 3G networks are still in use in many regions of the planet, it seems that the term 6G is too early to use. Igor Epaneshnikov, head of the red_mad_robot analytical center, explains why next-generation communications are needed now.
How communication has evolved over the past 40 years
In 1979, the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation launched the world’s first cellular mobile phone service. Since then, technology has continued to evolve every decade, enabling opportunities to grow from calling and simple email in the first generation to connecting the physical and digital worlds in the sixth.
• 2G – the first mobile phones focused on mobile voice, SMS and MMS.
• 3G – the peak of popularity of mobile phones and the appearance of the first smartphones.
• 4G – the rise of smartphones and the rapid volume of data services. A modern mobile Internet standard is emerging using Long Term Evolution (LTE).
• 5G – Internet that can support the connection of a large number of devices with lower latency. Due to this, IoT and V2X are developing.
• 6G – Connected intelligence that is faster than 5G and connects a huge number of smart devices.
Why are we talking about 6G when 5G has not yet been launched in Russia
Now the coverage of the fourth generation is working everywhere in Russia and the fifth generation is in test mode. In 2021, it was predicted that the full launch of 5G with self-connection is possible by 2024. Now, with problems in logistics, a shortage of chips and restrictions in the supply of equipment, this may drag on for another 3-5 years.
Deliveries of 5G equipment will begin in 2024,” says Spektr CEO Pavel Smirnov.
The research examines scenarios for using mobile communications to control robots and drones, integrate into the healthcare system, and organize wireless offices.
According to the Ericsson Mobility Report 2021, more than 4 billion people will use 5G mobile communications by 2027. Today, the largest number of 5G connections is registered in the countries of Northeast Asia, the Persian Gulf and Western Europe.
Prospects and trends for the development of 5G
U.S. 5G auctions raised a record $81 billion in 2021. To recoup their investment, telcos have begun looking for additional revenue streams, with metaverse products being one potential option. Along with this, 3D design services, special agencies and training courses will be popular in the coming years. The need for VR specialists will also grow.
In addition, 5G technologies have already shown their potential in medicine. In 2019, Huawei, China Mobile and Chinese PLA General Hospital performed the world’s first remote brain surgery using 5G. A patient with Parkinson’s disease was remotely implanted with a neurostimulator: the surgeon operated special equipment at a distance of 2,700 km using instant image upload.
The race for 5G and 6G, diversification and new markets
In 2021, the German Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure has allocated more than €38 million to develop and implement innovative applications of the fifth generation of mobile communications. We explain in which areas 5G can be effectively used.
— The potential of the Internet of things
The transition from 3G to 4G has created a large market of companies valued in the billions of dollars — you can expect much the same result from the first generation of 5G. New opportunities will lead to increased demand for IoT security services. More applications and services of augmented reality should appear, cloud gaming, which is already in the product line of several ecosystems, will develop.
— Digitalization of cities
Changes in the urban environment will be built as cycles of creating digital products: new tools and solutions will be deployed in these structures: sensors, scanning algorithms, as well as safer and more reliable connections to form the infrastructure of a smart city.
— Infrastructure for agriculture
One of the main challenges in the industrial and agricultural sectors is ensuring stable communication between devices, equipment and the system that controls them. Consolidation of data will help develop special algorithms that monitor the health and well-being of animals in real time.
— Sharing concept
If we talk about consumer preferences, then the development of 5G should coincide with the dominance of the sharing economy – the concept of joint consumption. This is similar to how we subscribe to streaming services today: smartphones, AR devices, digital goods or smart home devices can be purchased for temporary access.
– From 5G to 6G: what’s the difference
The sixth generation of communication will become a key technology for the spread of artificial intelligence. The coverage will provide a cost-effective and energy efficient network through a heterogeneous architecture and become a platform for connected intelligence.
Compared to 5G networks, this will require higher data rates, so constellations of tens of thousands of VLEO (Very Low Earth Orbit), ultra low earth orbit satellites, can be realized for 6G distribution.
Key Performance Indicators for 6G Networks
The speed of 4G is about 24 Mbps, 5G promises speeds from gigabytes per second, and 6G will reach terabytes per second.
The successor to 5G will continue to develop the potential of artificial intelligence in the scenarios of most industries. A huge number of broadband sensors will be used to create smart infrastructure for homes, medicine, transport, cities, buildings and much more.
Non-terrestrial communication will become an important part of mobile systems: networks will be able to combine with non-terrestrial access nodes – satellites, drones, high-altitude platforms (HAP). All this will create a seamless coverage from land, water and air and open up broadband access for everyone – this means that any user will be able to access the Internet even in hard-to-reach places.
