Does 6G matter?

"For more than a decade, each new generation of mobile connectivity has arrived with bold promises: faster speeds, lower , and new digital experiences that would reshape industries. Yet reality has often looked different. Many organisations are still trying to extract value from , and large regions of the world cannot access reliable 5G coverage at all."

"The answer is complicated. Early industry research suggests 6G, such that the term is understood, may not deliver a dramatic leap in raw speed compared with mature 5G networks. Yet many experts argue that the potential value of 6G lies less in headline numbers and more in how networks will behave, evolve, and integrate with intelligent systems."

"Ian Fogg, director of network innovation at CCS Insight, tells ITPro that early 6G discussions are still speculative because "6G is not yet a standard". But he emphasizes that research efforts are focusing on areas far more ambitious than traditional speed boosts. "6G will enable access to new spectrum bands," he says, "and a key focus will be what the industry calls 'ubiquitous connectivity', which means better integration with and high-altitude platforms." He also highlights the role of AI, explaining that "another area is to improve the efficiency of 6G through greater use of machine learning and to support the AI applications of the network's users.""

6G is unlikely to deliver a dramatic raw-speed improvement over mature 5G networks. Many organisations still struggle to extract value from existing 5G deployments, and significant regions lack reliable 5G coverage. Development emphasis for 6G focuses on access to new spectrum bands, ubiquitous connectivity including integration with high-altitude platforms, and closer coupling with intelligent systems. Machine learning is expected to improve network efficiency and to support AI applications running on the network. Standards and vendor research on 6G are accelerating, but formal definitions and standards remain speculative.

Read at IT Pro