Beyond 5G: The next generation of wireless technology is coming

The transition to 5G is still underway, but talk has begun about 6G, which experts say could finally unlock the internet's almost magical potential.

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“5G is trying to connect everything and is taking some steps in that direction, but 6G is really going to do it well,” said Jeffrey Andrews, director of 6G@UT, a research center at the University of Texas at Austin that launched in June.

5G carrier frequencies above 6GHz will be used for the first time in cellular systems; the result is greater bandwidth and data rates than 4G. John Byrne, director of telecom technology and software services at analyst firm GlobalData, said 6G will take 5G’s high-throughput capabilities to the next level by utilizing terahertz radio frequency bands.

“This takes everything that’s great about 5G and makes it even more powerful,” Byrne said. “You’re talking about maybe 1,000 times the throughput, and the goal of 5G is to be able to get to 1 gigabit per second of throughput to your device.”

Maximizing the Internet of Things with 6G

6G could provide enhanced sensing capabilities – facilitating amplified situational awareness for augmented reality and virtual reality applications to deliver potentially amazing user experiences.

For example, Byrne said, “right now at an airport, I can see someone on a screen telling me about the customs process. With 6G, it could be an actual hologram. For video conferencing, we could have a simulated conference room where you can see a hologram of the person instead of their face on a screen.”

He said 6G could make networks smarter and more automated by applying data analytics and artificial intelligence.

“If you apply data analytics in an environment where you have hundreds of thousands of 6G sensors and you have a data lake that contains all the data, then you start talking about some transformative use cases,” Byrne said. “Data from multiple people starts to tell you something upfront.”

The Future of Next-Generation Wireless Technology

Base stations used for 5G will likely be repurposed for 6G, but satellites may also play a role.

“You’re seeing a lot of these low-Earth orbit satellites going up right now, which means we’ll eventually have hundreds or even thousands of satellites — and if they play into the 6G story, that could change the playing field dramatically,” Byrne said. “If I eventually want to provide drones or a service network for my company, then 6G terahertz spectrum and satellite plus ground infrastructure is an interesting combination.”

In reality, we’re still a few years away from the arrival of this futuristic new world. “The general idea right now is 2030,” Byrne said, noting that delays in the still-ongoing 5G standards-setting process could set things back somewhat. “The companies and people involved tend to be the same, so everything on 5G will impact the timeline for 6G.”