"5G came with many promises. Remote surgery, where surgeons operate thousands of miles away from patients; driverless cars talking to each other and autonomously navigating highways; new killer apps that would change the world as Uber did. But the cellular technology that succeeded 4G LTE didn't live up to the hype."
"Well, get ready to hear that aspirational, forward-looking, and sometimes maybe deluded language again-this time in the lead-up to 6G, which is being paired with "AI" to create a marketing bingo bonanza. Even if the tech won't deliver a night-and-day difference to average folks like us, the industry is moving the goalposts."
"Mobile networking technology evolves every 10 or so years, says David Witkowski, a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He says we can expect 6G to be deployed globally by 2030, though some carriers could launch it in specific regions a year or two earlier."
5G technology failed to deliver on ambitious promises like remote surgery and autonomous vehicles, instead providing incremental improvements in latency and urban coverage. The industry now promotes 6G paired with AI marketing language, repeating aspirational claims despite uncertain real-world impact for average users. Technical discussions among industry leaders including Qualcomm, Ericsson, and Nokia began at Mobile World Congress 2026. Global 6G deployment is anticipated by 2030, with some carriers potentially launching earlier in specific regions. The United Nations International Telecommunication Union will establish official performance requirements through IMT-2030 standards.
Read at WIRED
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