• Belgium-based IMEC is the world's largest independent research lab for chip-centric technologies
• It recently unveiled a breakthrough in its III-V chiplet integration on 300mm silicon, enabling it to pack high-performance chips into a denser configuration while offloading passive components onto a silicon interposer
• The breakthrough allows for AI to exist at scale by scaling up efficiency and bringing down costs

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang has been very vocal about where the next frontier for AI lies: telecom.

The contention is that as the next generation of wireless communication is ushered in, the lines between software and hardware will be further blurred, with every radio access network essentially behaving as an AI computer.

The issue, however, centers around adoption: How cheap, accessible, and scalable the underlying technology will be is key, and it is one that IMEC might have at least partially solved.

An efficiency and adoption problem to solve

NVIDIA is not exactly a passive observer in telecom, however. It has pumped $1 billion into the Finnish telecom giant, Nokia, for a 2.9% stake. It has also cobbled together a coalition of global telecom leaders committed to building on AI-Native platforms to power 6G.

It sees telecom as the next large growth sector in terms of both revenue and scale for its own AI ambitions and also identifies it as a crucial driver for both the software layer and the hardware stack it currently sells.

Unlike Nvidia, IMEC is a non-profit that focuses on research and development and emphasizes commercializing its research, which has led it to partner with over 600 global industry players.

Désiré Athow, managing editor of TechRadar Pro, described IMEC as the United Nations of the silicon world, a place where the world's most valuable tech companies can meet, discuss, and shape the technology pipeline for the next decade.

Xiao Sun, principal member of technical staff at IMEC, indicated that there is much more that needs to be done: “With this work, we demonstrate a uniquely integrated platform that brings together performance, scalability, and manufacturability. Our next priority is to further advance the platform’s technology readiness, and to enable support for low-volume manufacturing – helping our partners more easily develop and scale next-generation RF systems.”

The crux is that out of any breakthrough from what many consider the chip lab of the world, one that enables cheaper, more scalable 6G adoption, has widespread ramifications across the AI industry and addresses the need of the hour, and Nvidia and industry rivals alike will be keeping an eye on matters as everyone searches for the next accelerator for AI.

Your next phone upgrade may not be about faster download speeds or crisper video streaming, but whether those networks can handle billions of intelligent agents and systems making decisions for you.

For decades, new generations of mobile technologies have helped to reshape not just connectivity, but how we go about our daily lives. 3G popularized smartphones and made mobile internet mainstream. 4G brought about apps, enabling everything from mobile banking to video streaming. 5G then expanded connectivity into factories, vehicles, sensors and other industrial systems beyond the humble smartphone.

But with 6G next in the pipeline years before the widespread deployment of 5G might be considered complete, engineers behind the technology already believe artificial intelligence will be the key differentiator. Future networks are expected to support vast numbers of AI agents autonomously interacting with each other.

AI is also expected to play a big role behind the scenes helping operators optimise network performance, reduce energy consumption and manage increasingly complex infrastructure.

6G and AI are increasingly intertwined

However, 6G progress is playing out amid growing geopolitical tensions and semiconductor supply chain issues, making this maybe one of the most strained developments to date. The scale of transformation that lies ahead is huge (with each generation seemingly growing exponentially). But the architects behind the world’s wireless standards continue to believe in one core principle – global cooperation matters most.

From the 3G era’s 3GPP vs. cdma2000 rivalry to the rise of LTE and WiMax in the 2010s, if we’ve learned anything it’s that the standard backed by the largest ecosystems, broadest device compatibility and strongest economies of scale will always win.

As 6G starts to take shape, I spoke with Ericsson engineers and IEEE members Johan Sköld, Erik Dahlman and Stefan Parkvall to discuss what the next era in wireless communications will look like.

The trio discussed the compromises that define global wireless standards, why AI will have a fundamental impact on 6G design, how Nordic countries became central to telecommunications, and why they think human creativity isn’t going anywhere, even in an AI-first era.

• At Ericsson, you have been instrumental in shaping 3G, 4G and 5G technology, something that has transformed human communications and the society we now live in. What is the secret ingredient of your partnership? How come you three managed to stick together for so long?

One important reason is that we have fun at work! The work environment at Ericsson Research is open and discussion-friendly with a lot of very skilled colleagues. The amount of knowledge in this group of people is astonishing, and discussing technical problems in such an environment is very stimulating.

Many people within Ericsson have been involved in the development of cellular technologies, and many of them have spanned several generations. This is always best with a mix of people. You, of course, benefit a lot from having experienced people who “have done this before” and are aware of the pitfalls, etc.

At the same time, you need new people to come in, with fresh ideas and who are not fixed on “old thinking”. The key to success is really to mix these two, the “experience” with the “fresh ideas”, in order to create new innovations without spending a lot of time inventing what has already been invented.

• As a team of seasoned engineers, what was the most difficult technological compromise you had to make so ensure the wireless communications standards remained as unified globally. Did the fear of another Betamax/VHS war ever came to your common minds? (worth talking about CDMA?)

For 4G, and even more for 3G, there were really competing technologies. In the case of 3G, there was a parallel organisation to 3GPP, named 3GPP2, that developed a cdma2000-based technology that was at one stage fairly widely deployed in parallel to the 3GPP 3G technology.

However, eventually the 3GPP technology came to dominate completely, not because it was technologically superior but mainly due to the fact that, from the start, it already had the largest footprint. This meant that it had a fundamental benefit in terms of economy-of-scale leading to superior device availability and reduced deployment cost for operators.

Nevertheless, the competition between 3GPP and 3GPP2 was in many ways really beneficial as it created a constant pressure to continuously improve both technologies.

In the case of 4G, there was initially some competition from the WiMax technology. But also in that case, the sheer size and footprint of 3GPP was a key deciding factor. Once again, the competition between the technologies was very beneficial in terms of sharpening the technology.

In summary:

1. Competition between technologies, at least at an early stage of development, is very beneficial in terms of driving technology advances
2. In the end, global footprint and the associated economy-of-scale is exceptionally important

• 3G brought about the smartphone, 4G extended its importance - thanks to apps - and 5G was all about the internet of things. What will 6G be about and what will the killer app (or apps) be?

Defining a single killer app is impossible – the only thing one can be sure of is that the prediction will be incorrect! For 3G, (ISDN-like) packet data and video calls were assumed to be the ‘killer apps’ – no one knew about smartphones when 3G was developed in the late ‘90s – and not until HSPA, an evolution of 3G, came true, packet data.

This was timely as the first smartphones started to appear around the same time. Together, this led to a rapid increase in the data volumes and new use cases, creating a platform for innovation.

When 4G was developed, the service to focus on was thus clear – deliver high-performance internet connectivity – and with that came the explosion of apps we see today.

In the early 5G days, mmWave was in focus, but it later changed to a more use-cases oriented view of ‘going beyond the smartphone’, that is, to deliver connectivity not only for smartphones but also for IoT, industrial use cases, machines, robots and so forth.

6G is likely to continue in this direction, but at a more massive scale. Use cases that will merge in the 5G networks such as AR/VR/XR, will also be supported in 6G but at a much large scale.

The very rapid development of AI/ML will also have a profound impact on the 6G design. AI will be used in the networks to increase performance, but networks will also have to handle AI as a user. Agentic AI, that is, AI agents that interact with other agents and take decisions to meet an overarching objective set by the human user, is one example.

• Scandinavian countries gave us many household names in telecommunications: Skype, Ericsson, Nokia to name a few. What is it about that part of the world that allowed for such entities to evolve and flourish? Education? Will to innovate?

That’s a good (and wide) question!

A key thing when it comes to the development of the cellular technology was really the government-controlled public telephone providers of the Nordic countries. That may seem strange in today’s de-regulated world but in the 1970s and 1980s these organisations had massive resources and were also very much in the forefront of technology.

They jointly developed and deployed the first-generation analog mobile-communication technologies leading the systems that were exceptionally successfully. They were also very instrumental in the early development of GSM.

This led to the Nordic countries being far ahead of most other companies, including highly developed countries, in terms of mobile-communication usage far into the 1990s. The fact that the Nordic countries are, in general, positive and eager to try new technology has also contributed to this.

Another important thing is that the Nordic countries are rather small (but not too small) countries, the companies of which cannot typically rely on, and thus be constrained by big home markets. Instead, there has always been a strong pressure to be innovative and stay sharp in order to be able to compete in the global market. This has been the case for many decades. For example, Ericsson has had the entire world as its market since the 19th century.

• What role AI and machine learning (and dare I even throw in quantum computing) have - if any - in shaping wireless telecommunications in the future? Do you think this trio (another one) could one day supplement or even replace you three?

There have been tremendous enhancements in the AI and machine-learning area the last 10 years, and it will have a big impact on the future wireless-access solutions such as 6G in several different ways.

On one hand, AI entities and agents will appear as new “users” putting new demands on the services that needs to be provided by the wireless networks.

On the other hand, the AI functionality within the wireless networks themselves is expected to provide large benefits in terms of both improved network performance and reduced cost for operation of the network. The result is an intelligent fabric where AI and wireless connectivity play equally important roles.

Note that this does not mean that AI will “take over” or replace need for engineers and researchers in the future. AI should be seen as a tool to make engineering and research more efficient, giving the human brains more time to spend on where it is unique, the innovative and creative thinking.

Quantum computing is obviously a much more 'in-the-future', and we even dare to say, potential technology. Its relation to wireless telecommunication is even more speculative. Still, this is, of course, an area that a company like Ericsson needs to follow to ensure that we are at the right place at the right time.

Then one can consider the relevance of quantum technology more generally, not just quantum computing, for wireless communication. In some sense we already have to take quantum physics into account because it is at the bottom of much of the technology we are already using.

Then we have the area of quantum cryptography, which is probably the first area, within what is sometimes referred to as quantum information theory, which will have practical usage. And at some stage, one then will probably need to communicate quantum information also over wireless networks. Once again, this is an important area to follow.

• Can you tell me about the significance of the IEEE Jagadish Chandra Bose Medal in Wireless Communications and what this recognition means to you?

It means a lot. IEEE is a by-far the most respected organisation within the engineering area. It feels like an unprecedented recognition of the work we have done.

But perhaps even more, it is a recognition of the importance of the wireless communication technologies and thus a recognition of all the people that have been involved in this great journey.

• Governments introduce voluntary principles to secure 6G networks before commercial deployment begins
• Early planning emphasizes embedding cybersecurity protections into network design from the start
• AI tools are expected to manage and automate future 6G network operations

A collection of major governments have begun outlining security expectations for 6G mobile networks, even though commercial deployment may still be years away.

Officials from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia have introduced the Global Coalition on Telecoms (GCOT) to address security and resilience in future 6G networks.

Sweden and Finland joined the coalition in an announcement at the recent Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, expanding the group’s reach across Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

Early security plans for 6G network

The coalition’s guidance emphasizes integrating security protections into network design from the outset, rather than retrofitting them later.

Officials say the principles encourage researchers, vendors, and operators to strengthen defenses against cyber threats, safeguard data confidentiality, and diversify supply chains within telecommunications infrastructure.

The initiative promotes early planning to prevent vulnerabilities that affected previous generations of mobile networks.

A coalition document notes how, “the technological innovation anticipated from 6G will require fundamental protections and mitigations to be considered,” particularly as networks become more complex and interconnected.

The principles extend beyond conventional telecom protections and address emerging technologies that could influence 6G operations.

Relevant parties say future systems may rely heavily on AI tools to manage network operations and automate traffic handling across large digital infrastructures, highlighting the need for early planning.

The guidance also considers risks from quantum computing and integrated satellite communications, implying 6G could link terrestrial and space-based networks while supporting ultra-low-latency communications.

Authorities say resilience against cyberattacks and physical disruptions will be essential.

Maintaining reliable service across critical sectors will remain a central objective, as business phones, connected devices, and enterprise applications will depend heavily on these networks.

Top brands such as Ericsson, Nvidia, Virgin Media O2, Vodafone Group, and BT Group have endorsed the coalition.

“We look forward to working with all partners involved in GCOT to ensure the next phase of advanced connectivity is not only high-performing and resilient, but also inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready,” said Eva Fogelström, Head of Security Research at Ericsson.

However, the latest coalition can be seen as the West doing all it can to prevent China from staying ahead, as it did with 5G.

During the 5G rollout, China led with cheap equipment and wide coverage, before the U.S. and its allies began banning Huawei and ZTE over security concerns.

The Asian nation and the brands deny these allegations and reject claims from Western cyber agencies about potential wrongdoing.

China has been investing heavily in 6G research through programs such as the IMT-2030 Promotion Group, and also participates actively in international standards organizations, including the International Telecommunication Union and 3GPP.

Chinese research groups claim that China holds over 40% of global 6G patent applications, although these patents do not guarantee leadership in future standards or commercial markets.

The recent security and resilience principles are non-binding, but they represent an early effort to shape the architecture of next-generation networks.

• Intel extends Xeon 6 roadmap with 18A-based processors targeting AI in telecom networks
• 288-core Clearwater Forest reduces rack power and improves performance per watt
• Testing shows 38% lower runtime rack power versus comparable Sierra Forest systems

At MWC 2026, Intel introduced its upcoming Clearwater Forest Xeon 6+ processors, built on the 18A process and aimed at edge AI and early 6G infrastructure.

The update adds a higher density option to the Xeon 6 lineup for network and data center deployments.

Clearwater Forest, which was first previewed in October 2025, follows the current Xeon 6 generation and is expected to arrive by 2027.

AI in networks isn’t “CPU vs. GPU”

Intel is expanding Xeon 6 across radio access networks, or RAN, which connect devices like smartphones to the broader mobile network, as well as mobile core systems and edge sites.

The strategy keeps network functions, security workloads, enterprise services, and AI inference on standard server hardware.

Kevork Kechichian, executive vice president and general manager of Intel’s Data Center Group, said: “AI in networks isn’t “CPU vs. GPU” — it’s right compute for the workload”.

The idea is that not every AI task inside a telecom network requires a separate accelerator. In many cases, inference can run directly on Xeon processors depending on performance and power constraints.

In the RAN, Xeon 6 SoC integrates Advanced Matrix Extensions and vRAN Boost, allowing inference workloads to run on the same server that handles virtualized network software. That can limit the need for extra hardware in certain deployments.

Rakuten Mobile is working with Intel to train and deploy AI models for low latency RAN workloads using Xeon 6 SoC. Vodafone has committed to adopting Xeon 6 SoCs for Open RAN and vRAN modernization projects across Europe.

Clearwater Forest, branded simply Xeon 6+, increases core density and shifts to Intel’s 18A process.

In testing by Ericsson, a single 288-core Xeon 6990E+ Clearwater Forest processor reduced runtime rack power by 38 percent, delivered more than 60 percent better performance per watt, and improved overall performance by 30 percent compared with a dual socket 288-core Xeon 6780E Sierra Forest system.

Higher core counts and lower power consumption sit at the center of Intel’s pitch as AI workloads expand inside telecom infrastructure and networks move closer to early 6G development.

• Nokia creates a new business specifically to grow AI mobile networks, like 6G
• The move comes weeks after Nvidia pledged $1 billion to help develop 6G
• Nokia also wants to drastically reduce operating expenses

Nokia has revealed plans to reposition itself as a leader in AI network transformations, including developing AI-first mobile networks such as 6G.

Beginning January 1, 2026, the company will operate across two main segments – network infrastructure and mobile infrastructure.

Networks will cover optical networks, IP networks and fixed networks, with the company targeting around a 6-8% net sales compound annual growth rate between now and 2028.

Nokia to spin off its AI mobile business from 2026

The company explained its networks business will be positioned perfectly to capture the growing AI and data center build-out.

It’s the mobile infrastructure business that’s set to see the biggest returns, though, with Nokia targeting 48-50% in gross margin by 2028.

“Nokia changed the world once by connecting people – and will again by connecting intelligence,” CEO Justin Hotard explained.

The news comes barely a month after Nvidia confirmed a $1 billion investment into Nokia, with the cash set aside to help progress 6G technology development. Hotard described the transition from 5G to 6G as “a fundamental redesign of the network,” emphasizing the role of AI.

With the shift comes a change to leadership, with a new Chief Customer Officer at the helm. Network Infrastructure will be headed up by David Heard, as it is already, and the Mobile Infrastructure will be temporarily run by group CEO Justin Hotard until a suitable leader is identified.

Nokia also declared plans to drastically reduce operating expenses from €350 million to €150 million by 2028. The company raked in €4.83 billion in its most recent quarter, reflecting 12% year-over-year growth.

Hotard confirmed Nokia is still on track to achieve its full-year outlook.

To simplify reporting, the company also shifted several non-core units to a new Portfolio Businesses, generating three distinct subdivisions together with Network and Mobile Infrastructure.

Nokia shares are back on their way down around 7% after reaching an early-November high.

• Nvidia and Nokia announces major new partnership
• RAN and 6G network services among new technologies being worked on
• The deal will also see Nvidia invest $1bn in Nokia

Nvidia has revealed a $1 billion investment into Nokia as it looks to take a key role in furthering the development of AI-ready networks.

The investment will aim to cover a wide range of projects, including 5G-Advanced and 6G networks built to cope with the massive demands brought by AI workloads.

The deal will also see Nvidia adding its AI-RAN products to Nokia’s own RAN portfolio, helping speed up the development and deployment of these next-gen networks.

From 5G to 6G

In a blog post announcing the news , the two companies said the partnership, "marks the beginning of the AI-native wireless era", and should provide the foundation to support AI-powered consumer experiences and enterprise services at the edge.

“Telecommunications is a critical national infrastructure — the digital nervous system of our economy and security,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of Nvidia.

“Built on Nvidia CUDA and AI, AI-RAN will revolutionize telecommunications — a generational platform shift that empowers the United States to regain global leadership in this vital infrastructure technology. Together with Nokia and America’s telecom ecosystem, we’re igniting this revolution, equipping operators to build intelligent, adaptive networks that will define the next generation of global connectivity.”

To power this technological step forward, Nvidia revealed Aerial RAN Computer Pro (ARC-Pro) an "accelerated computing platform" for manufacturers and network equipment providers which combines connectivity, computing, and sensing capabilities.

This will allow them to build commercial-off-the-shelf-based or proprietary AI-RAN products, speeding up the move from 5G-Advanced to 6G for telco networks.

Nokia and Nvidia also plan to work together on AI networking tools such as data center switching, and will also explore the use of Nokia’s optical technologies and capabilities to help build future Nvidia AI infrastructure architecture.

“The next leap in telecom isn’t just from 5G to 6G — it’s a fundamental redesign of the network to deliver AI-powered connectivity, capable of processing intelligence from the data center all the way to the edge. Our partnership with Nvidia, and their investment in Nokia, will accelerate AI-RAN innovation to put an AI data center into everyone’s pocket,” said Justin Hotard, President and CEO of Nokia.

While 5G is still being rolled out on a global scale, we still need to cast an eye to the future of wireless connectivity and communication and the impact it has on businesses. It’s time to talk about 6G.

Going beyond the foundations of 5G

In areas where 5G has already been deployed, enhanced speed and connectivity benefits are already game changers. But 6G will push the boundaries even further and drive the next wave of digital transformation. It will unleash unprecedented possibilities, accelerating the core use cases of 5G: ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB).

But where 6G networks will really evolve the future of digital connection is in how it goes beyond the foundations of 5G, blurring the boundaries between end-devices and the network-dedicated infrastructure. With 6G, devices won’t just connect, they’ll actively contribute to building and managing the network, seamlessly integrating computing and communication.

Operating at unparalleled radio frequencies, 6G will unlock bleeding-edge innovations —particularly AI — facilitating a higher speed of communication with faster throughput, reduced latency and greater energy efficiency. Crucially, it will become the foundation for a new generation of technology, driven by several core trends: support for emerging technologies with higher performance capabilities, increasing data rates, a focus on network densification, and ubiquitous connectivity.

Our vision for 6G incorporates these key drivers and will be a universal system, supporting deployment in any scenario, to offer seamless connectivity wherever it is needed.

Ambient intelligence and the implications for businesses

For businesses, an implementation of 6G will offer transformative opportunities across industries.

6G is still in the design and research stage, but the systems are already being designed with ambient intelligence (Aml) in mind. This next generation of connectivity is set to revolutionize how we interact with technology, as it becomes integrated into our everyday life. It will anticipate our needs and adjust on its own, before we even know what they are. Whilst this concept may seem slightly unprecedented, the possibilities for businesses are boundless.

In business, ambient intelligence will enable real-time responsiveness through its dynamic operations replacing rigid pre-determined systems. This means greater efficiency, more intelligent performance management and in-depth insights supported by real-time data analysis. For instance, it could transform how supply chains are managed, automatically adjusting production lines based on demand or even flagging maintenance issues before they arise. In retail, it could mean that consumers can interact with product displays, or help store managers optimize their shops, by pinpointing the best product positioning or ideal temperatures to store it.

The seamless integration of advancements in IoT, edge computing and real-time AI will allow businesses to streamline decision-making, become more efficient and discover new revenue streams.

To realize the full potential of these business use cases for Aml, we need a system that delivers a lightning-fast, low-latency network that ensures top-level privacy and security. This is where 6G will shine.

However, there is a slight catch: Power consumption. With growing concerns over 5G’s energy footprint, it is critical that we develop a 6G network that balances innovation with sustainability.

Challenges of power consumption

For mobile communications, a move towards 6G focuses on providing improved performance and a higher quality of service for businesses. But as we witness its evolution, it is crucial to consider balancing sustainability with power consumption.

Simply put: a growing demand for mobile data and an increasing number of devices served by these networks requires more energy. This could affect a business's Scope 2 and 3 carbon emissions. Scope 2 emissions refers to the energy a company purchases and uses, e.g. the electricity it purchases to power its operations; Scope 3 refers to the broader emissions across the business's supply chain, so it could be energy used by suppliers or even the end users. Managing both will be essential for businesses in order to meet their sustainability goals.

To align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is critical that the industry prioritizes renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency. Technologies, such as smart grids, AI, distributed energy storage systems and green software, will be pivotal in achieving a sustainable design of the network.

Furthermore, 6G energy consumption can be significantly reduced by implementing strategies like dynamic scaling to adjust power usage based on data load, and optimizing device and network activity to cut power consumption during downtime. Addressing these concerns and challenges will be vital in shaping the timeline for its widespread adoption and integration into businesses.

When could we expect to see 6G rolled out?

At the current rate of advancements, businesses should prepare for the arrival of 6G for commercialization in 2030, with a pre-commercialization likely to occur a year prior. 6G will reshape industries, offering improved speed, connectivity and support for developing technologies. However, it is imperative that before this timeframe we carry out our plan in making it more sustainable and accessible so that businesses of all sizes can equally benefit from the newest generation of wireless communications.

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• Qualcomm talks 6G innovations beyond speed, integrating AI and IoT
• 6G promises enhanced coverage, and efficiency
• AI-native design will optimize networks and enable new use cases

The transition from 5G to 6G is set to redefine the wireless landscape, offering advancements that go far beyond speed and connectivity.

Qualcomm, a key player in wireless innovation, is building on its 5G legacy to explore the possibilities of 6G, which is expected to integrate artificial intelligence, advanced IoT applications, and seamless connectivity between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.

Targeted for deployment in the 2030s, 6G promises to unlock new opportunities across industries and address the growing demands of an increasingly connected world.

In an exclusive interview with TechRadar Pro, John Smee, Global Head of Wireless Research at Qualcomm, discussed the future of 6G, outlining how the company is looking to build upon the advancements of 5G and 5G Advanced.

He also highlighted Qualcomm's role in contributing to the research and development of the technology, explaining that 6G will not only enhance key performance indicators like coverage, capacity, and efficiency but also enable transformative use cases such as digital twins and edge computing.

What are the key technological advancements in 5G that are paving the way for 6G development?

There are quite a few key advancements in 5G and 5G Advanced that are paving the way for 6G. Here are just a few examples:

• Air interface foundation: we believe 6G will build on the OFDM foundation, with a focus on improving coverage, spectral efficiency, and capacity in both legacy FDD and TDD bands as well as new spectrum.
• MIMO/duplex evolution: 6G Giga-MIMO will enable new upper midband spectrum (6-15 GHz) delivering additional wide-area capacity and reusing the existing 3.5 GHz macro cell sites and backhaul. Evolution to full duplex can deliver better coverage and flexibility to meet growing data demand.
• Wireless AI: 5G Advanced kickstarted the era of AI in wireless, improving network/device performance and efficiency. AI will be an integral part of the 6G system design, with AI-native protocols across multiple layers of the stack.
• Wireless sensing: the 5G-Advanced study of integrate sensing and communication (ISAC) can complement positioning to make the wireless network more efficient and open new business opportunities for the ecosystem.
• Integrated TN/NTN: 5G introduced 5G non-terrestrial networking (NTN) by enabling satellites to deliver global coverage leveraging the cellular standard and modem implementations. 6G is expected to build on this foundation to support a seamless interworking of terrestrial networks and NTN.

How do you see the transition from 5G to 6G impacting businesses, and are there specific industries that will benefit the most?

The transition from 5G to 6G is expected to significantly enhance wireless connectivity improving fundamental KPI’s for coverage, capacity, and performance while enabling new services like AI, sensing, and digital twins. 6G will be designed to meet the increasing data transfer needs of connected AI-powered devices. Targeting 2030 deployment, 6G can efficiently enable intelligent computing everywhere creating new opportunities for value creation at the edge. Industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and education will continue their transformations to leverage connected AI and the enhanced capabilities of 6G.

Can you explain the role of AI, and specifically Generative AI, in enhancing 5G networks and its potential impact on 6G?

AI is poised to significantly enhance 5G and 6G system performance, operational efficiency, and user experiences, as well as unlock new use cases at scale. For instance, by leveraging AI for network optimization, predictive analytics, and automated configuration, these networks can achieve greater efficiency, reliability, and security. Generative AI can simulate various network scenarios and create synthetic data to train machine learning models, ensuring robust network performance even in complex environments. These technologies enable advanced applications like real-time edge computing, personalized services, and seamless integration with a wide range of devices. Generative AI will also often be implemented on the device and as applications expand this will increase the 5G and 6G communications data demand on uplink and downlink.

AI native is intended to make the system perform better by either replacing functional blocks with AI implementations, or allowing AI to better manage the protocol, network node, device, etc. so that it can adapt more flexibly to support a larger variety of enterprise and consumer experiences. The AI native paradigm can give more implementation flexibility and bring more innovation and differentiation to the devices and networks.

AI native can be in at least the two following forms:

• Replacing existing functionality with AI – e.g., there are a number of use cases in 3GPP (beam management, CSI feedback, positioning, mobility) that are being studied to see if there is a better solution with AI. One aspect of AI native is to include more of these features across layers, protocols and network/device for improved performance with AI. Especially relevant is work in 3GPP and ORAN to improve network automation with AI and the associated use cases. Cross node AI is also a potential example of this where the function is replaced by AI at the network and device.
• Enable AI as a part of the protocol behavior – to change the actual protocols to be defined to be AI friendly so that the protocol can adapt to the combination of radio, device and application state to determine how best to serve the traffic. This changes how the function operates to incorporate AI.

What are the expected benefits of 6G over 5G in terms of speed, latency, and connectivity?

6G will not just be designed to achieve higher speed and lower latency, but it will also focus on bringing significant efficiency enhancements to capacity, coverage, energy consumption, and deployment cost. Additionally, 6G will focus on enabling faster deployment of new services and growing the surface area of operator opportunities. The focus will be driven by use cases to create new value for the broader wireless ecosystem and society.

How will 6G technology influence the development of IoT and generative AI technologies?

6G will bring an integrated design for eMBB and IoT with shared objectives of enhanced connectivity, extended coverage, added functionalities such as positioning and sensing that allow the devices to interact more effectively with their environment, and add more use cases of IoT. Ambient IoT, which will operate without batteries using energy harvesting techniques, will help proliferate low cost IoT sensors and further integrate the physical and digital worlds. Networks and devices will support real-time AI processing and decision-making at the edge, creating value for IoT applications independent of centralized cloud systems.

How is Qualcomm contributing to the research and development of 6G technology?

Qualcomm has a storied heritage in wireless technology, including groundbreaking innovations in 5G technologies. We are building on a strong foundation to advance connectivity across all technologies including 5G Advanced, 6G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and more. We are leading the ecosystem in technology research and development, working closely with industry technology leaders such as mobile operators, OEMs, and academia to bring future innovations to life.

How do you envision the future of mobile communication evolving with the advent of 6G?

The future of mobile communication with the advent of 6G is envisioned as a continuum that builds upon the advancements of 5G, focusing on integrating AI into networks and devices. 6G aims to enhance the efficiency and economics of existing and new use cases in the 2030s, such as multi-device plans, fixed wireless services, AR glasses, self-driving cars and elderly-care service robots. The evolution will also involve integrated sensing and communication, enabling new solutions like digital twins and RF sensing. Additionally, 6G will leverage existing infrastructure to provide cost-effective upgrades in existing spectrum on uplink performance and edge data processing, as well as add significant capacity in new spectrum.

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Having helped pioneered the global rollout of 5G networks with extensive infrastructure investments and technological breakthroughs that enabled the rapid deployment of high-speed, low-latency mobile services, China is now setting its sights on 6G.

China Mobile, in collaboration with Zhongguancun Pan-Institute of Information and Communications Technology, China Information Technology Mobile, and smartphone maker Vivo, has introduced a 6G baseband concept prototype system for the Sub7GHz frequency band.

As the world looks forward to an official launch of 6G in the coming years, China Mobile’s latest demonstration highlights the progress made in this developing field. The prototype system is part of China Mobile’s 6G "synaesthesia, computing, and intelligence fusion technology platform," reflecting a deep integration of sensory, computing, and communications technologies.

Powerful baseband capabilities – a step beyond 5G

China Mobile announced the 6G baseband concept prototype system for the Sub-7 GHz frequency band is a crucial component of its public testing device. This system aims to facilitate the deep integration of inter-sensory computing and intelligence, as well as the integration of terrestrial and celestial networks.

At the core of this new system is a strong baseband capability that is built on a cloud-based heterogeneous hardware architecture, with the system supporting a throughput of up to 100Gbps for container networks. This high throughput is combined with an ultra-short transmission time interval (TTI) processing capability of 125 microseconds (μs), allowing for faster data transmission and enhanced responsiveness.

The system’s architecture allows for a maximum interrupt response delay of less than 10μs, contributing to its flexibility and reconfigurability. It supports eight data streams and 128 digital channels, and the single-carrier bandwidth reaches 400MHz, enabling a real-time baseband throughput of up to 16.5Gbps.

These features position the system at the forefront of 6G development, meeting the stringent requirements for new technologies and service verifications, such as ultra-high-definition video and real-time data processing.

According to China Mobile, its new 6G baseband prototype is open and interoperable.

The system facilitates smooth integration between cloud-based heterogeneous hardware and terminal prototypes developed by Vivo, allowing for efficient connection from the base station to the terminal. This capability supports the transmission of advanced services such as 3D video, a likely hallmark of the 6G era.

This system’s open architecture encourages collaboration and verification of key 6G technologies with industry partners. Stakeholders can test and verify their 6G technologies in conjunction with China Mobile’s baseband prototype thereby creating an ecosystem around 6G development.

In addition to its baseband and openness capabilities, China Mobile’s 6G baseband prototype system demonstrates major expansion potential.

The system is designed to handle a wide range of frequency bands, thanks to its multi-band integrated universal fronthaul module. This module connects to the baseband unit (BBU) via an ultra-high-speed Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) and supports the transmission of intermediate frequency signals ranging from 0 to 12GHz.

This flexible architecture allows the system to work with various radio frequency (RF) front ends, including those operating at medium and low frequencies, millimeter waves, visible light, and terahertz frequencies. The ability to handle multi-band signals not only enhances the system’s adaptability but also facilitates testing and verification of 6G components and baseband processing technologies across different frequency bands.

It is important to note that it takes about 10 years for a new communication network to roll out, therefore commercial 6G networks are not expected before 2030. Nevertheless, early advances such as this serve as a critical building block in the global race toward 6G.

Via MyDrivers

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5G networks have rapidly expanded worldwide, delivering faster speeds and reduced latency, however, due to the use of higher frequency bands, more base stations are required compared to 4G.

This need for increased infrastructure presents challenges, particularly in densely populated areas where site availability and installation costs are higher - such as Tokyo, the world’s most densely populated city, illustrates these challenges perfectly.

In 2018, NTT DOCOMO partnered with Japanese glassmaker AGC to address this issue by developing the world’s first glass antenna. Using AGC’s ATTOCH technology, the antenna can be installed inside existing windows, allowing buildings to seamlessly integrate into the mobile network without obstructing views or altering their appearance. It's been improved over the years and is now fully 5G compatible.

WAVEANTENNA

The antenna is constructed using transparent conductive materials sandwiched between layers of glass, which enhances its durability while maintaining the transparent look of standard windows. The technology also features a Glass Interface Layer (GIL) that reduces signal attenuation and reflection, two common issues when signals pass through glass.

The WAVEANTENNA, as it’s known, supports 5G Sub6 frequencies, which are more effective at penetrating walls and barriers compared to millimeter waves. This makes it ideal for dense urban environments where 5G networks struggle with interference and signal loss.

Akinobu Ueda, from the Radio Access Network Engineering Department at Japanese comms giant NTT DOCOMO, explains: “It is difficult to get permission from building owners to install small cell base stations in the mid to lower floors of a building, as the base stations can spoil the scenery of an area. The same holds true for indoor installations. In addition to spoiling the interior design of a building, it’s difficult to create the ideal service area as attenuation occurs when signals pass through the building.”

Last month, JTower, a Tokyo-based company, installed the first WAVEANTENNA in the city's Shinjuku district, marking an important milestone for the technology. The antennas have also been adapted for use in vehicles, helping to reduce dropped signals.

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Universities worldwide are competing to lead the development of 6G technology, focusing on advances in terahertz communications and innovative silicon chips which promise data transmission rates far beyond current capabilities, potentially transforming how we communicate in the future.

A team from the University of Adelaide has made significant strides, introducing a new polarization multiplexer that operates at terahertz frequencies. This technology could dramatically increase data transmission by efficiently using the available spectrum.

"Our proposed polarization multiplexer will allow multiple data streams to be transmitted simultaneously over the same frequency band, effectively doubling the data capacity," explained Professor Withawat Withayachumnankul. "This large relative bandwidth is a record for any integrated multiplexers found in any frequency range. If it were to be scaled to the center frequency of the optical communications bands, such a bandwidth could cover all the optical communications bands."

Wide-ranging applications

By doubling communication capacity under the same bandwidth and reducing data loss, the multiplexer could accelerate advancements in fields such as high-definition video streaming, augmented reality, and 6G mobile networks. Co-author Professor Masayuki Fujita highlighted the potential impact, saying, "This innovation is poised to catalyze a surge of interest and research activity in the field."

Meanwhile, the University of Notre Dame has developed a silicon topological beamformer chip, which was recently featured in Nature. "Our chip takes a terahertz signal from a single source and splits it into 54 smaller signals," lead researcher Ranjan Singh wrote in an article for The Conversation.

“Terahertz frequencies are crucial for 6G, which telecommunications companies plan to roll out around 2030. The radio frequency spectrum used by current wireless networks is becoming increasingly congested. Terahertz waves offer a solution by using the relatively unoccupied portion of the electromagnetic spectrum between microwaves and infrared. These higher frequencies can carry massive amounts of data, making them ideal for the data-intensive applications of the future.”

Designed with artificial intelligence, the chip features a honeycomb structure that channels terahertz waves with precision, delivering focused beams for ultrafast data transmission at speeds of up to 72 gigabits per second. You can see an illustration of this experimental chip at the top of the page.

These terahertz technologies have wide-ranging applications, from enabling instant downloads of 4K ultra-high-definition movies to supporting real-time holographic communication and remote surgeries. The potential for these breakthroughs could revolutionize telecommunications, imaging, radar, and the internet of things in the coming decade.

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Engineers from the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new adjustable filter that could revolutionize wireless communications and pave the way for the next generation of cellular networks, including 6G. 

The filter, described in a paper published in Nature Communications, can successfully prevent interference in higher-frequency bands of the electromagnetic spectrum. 

The Frequency Range 3 (FR3) band, which includes frequencies from about 7 GHz to 24 GHz, has recently been made available for commercial use by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). However, wireless communications in this band are limited due to the performance of existing small-filter and low-loss switch technologies.

Expanding 6G options

The new adjustable filter, constructed using a material called yttrium iron garnet (YIG), allows engineers to selectively filter different frequencies, eliminating the need for separate filters. YIG propagates a magnetic spin wave that changes frequency when exposed to a magnetic field, enabling continuous frequency tuning across a broad range.

The filter is small, about the same size as a quarter, and requires very little power. It operates using a zero-static-power, magnetic-bias circuit, which creates a magnetic field without requiring additional energy beyond occasional adjustments. 

This innovation has the potential to replace the numerous filters currently needed in wireless devices, reducing size and improving performance. It also opens up the possibility of utilizing the FR3 band for future wireless communication technologies like 6G. The researchers hope to demonstrate that a single adaptable filter is sufficient for all frequency bands. 

The team will present their findings at the 2024 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Microwave Theory and Techniques Society (MTT-S) in Washington, D.C. In addition to revolutionizing wireless communications, this adjustable filter could contribute to solving interference issues that have plagued the industry in the past and help make 6G a reality inside consumers' smartphones.

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A consortium of Japanese technology behemoths, including NTT DOCOMO, NTT, NEC, and Fujitsu, have revealed the results of their real-world 6G speed tests. 

The ground-breaking achievement shows the group's ability to achieve ultra-high-speed 100Gb/s data transmission, marking a pivotal moment in the advent of the 6G wireless communication era.

The four firms, which have been working together on the project since 2021, jointly developed a sub-terahertz 6G device and demonstrated its proficiency in 100Gb/s transmissions in the 100GHz and 300GHz bands over distances of up to 100 meters. The achievement is exceptionally noteworthy as it is approximately 20 times faster than the current 5G maximum data rate of 4.9Gb/s.

Setting the 6G standard

Each of the four companies brings a particular expertise to the project: DOCOMO developed the wireless equipment capable of handling these enormous data rates, NTT developed a device capable of transmitting 100Gb/s per channel, NEC contributed a multi-element active phased array antenna, and Fujitsu showcased world-leading efficiency in a high-output power amplifier.

Despite the hurdles associated with the higher frequencies of the sub-terahertz band, the companies believe high-capacity wireless communication is obtainable. Leveraging each company's strengths, they pledge to continue their collaborative R&D efforts to set the standard for 6G telecommunications.

When 6G eventually becomes mainstream, it is predicted to support diverse applications such as ultra-HD video streaming and real-time control in autonomous vehicles. 6G technology like this could see 100Gb/s transmission speeds potentially becoming the new norm.

The key assumption for these findings is uncontested achievement in 100Gbps transmission over a distance of 100 meters in the 100GHz and 300GHz bands, and the attainment of an equivalent isotropic radiation power of 50 dBm. It's important to note that the actual data rates may vary based on the communication environment and network congestion.

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During MWC 2024, Huawei went in hard on 5.5G, discussing how this technology can "unlock the potential of networks and create new growth opportunities".

Li Peng, Huawei's Corporate Senior Vice President and President of ICT Sales & Service, explained, "5G is on the right path to business success. 5G began commercialization in 2019, and over the past five years, it has already gained 1.5 billion users worldwide. It took nine years for 4G to achieve this. Currently, 20% of global mobile subscribers are using 5G. These users generate 30% of all mobile traffic and contribute to 40% of mobile service revenue. 5.5G is entering commercial use in 2024, and as 5.5G, AI, and cloud converge, carriers can unlock the potential of new applications and capabilities."

The new capabilities of 5.5G, including deterministic latency, precise positioning, and passive IoT, are expected to create even more opportunities for carriers in the B2B market. Huawei stated it has already assisted operators in starting 5.5G commercial verification and testing in more than 20 cities worldwide, and aims to help build ubiquitous networks that can lead us to an 'intelligent world' faster.

AI everywhere

As expected, AI was a significant focus during Huawei's presentations. Huawei Cloud demonstrated its potential suitability as the "infrastructure of choice for AI applications" by unveiling ten AI-oriented innovations, including KooVerse, Distributed QingTian architecture, AI compute, AI-Native storage, E2E security, GaussDB, Data-AI convergence, Media infrastructure, Landing Zone, and Flexible deployment.

The company also discussed how AI-powered content is driving a surge in new data traffic. Looking into the future, Huawei predicts that, in 2026 alone, "AI will be used to produce over 250 billion images and 70 million videos, completely redefining the world's approach to content creation." To put that in context, the company says that AIGC will power the creation of over 100 billion gigabytes of data, and drive over one trillion gigabytes of data traffic, for which 5.5G will need to shoulder a significant portion.

"We're rapidly approaching an intelligent world," said Peng. "As the demands on networks have increased, 5.5G has become a key step on the path to the intelligent world. 5.5G is expected to enter commercial use in 2024. So, let's build today's networks for tomorrow's applications to advance the intelligent world."

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In a potentially promising breakthrough, researchers from Osaka University and IMRA America have unveiled a single channel optical wireless link that can achieve speeds of up to 240GB/s, a new world record. The team is now setting its sights on quadrupling this performance to reach an unprecedented 1TB/s.

eeNews Europe reports that the researchers used a stimulated Brillouin scattering laser to generate signals at 300GHz for 6G networks. This laser employs interactions between sound and light waves to produce a precise signal.

The team then established a 300GHz-band wireless communication system that utilizes this laser-based signal generator in both the transmitter and receiver.

Highest transmission rate in the world

The sub-terahertz band, ranging from 100 GHz to 300 GHz, is the playground for these 6G transmitters and receivers. To further boost the data transmission rate of these wireless links, the researchers used a sophisticated approach called "multi-level signal modulation". However, this method becomes highly sensitive to noise when operating at the top end of these frequencies.

For efficient functioning, multi-level signal modulation relies on precise reference signals. When these signals start to shift, phase noise negatively impacts the performance of the multi-level signal modulation. To counter this, the system uses online digital signal processing (DSP) to demodulate the signals in the receiver and increase the data rate.

Tadao Nagatsuma, the project leader, proudly announced, "Our team achieved a single-channel transmission rate of 240GB/s. This is the highest transmission rate obtained so far in the world using online DSP."

The researchers are optimistic that with the use of multiplexing techniques, which allow for more than one channel to be used, and more sensitive receivers, they can push the data rate to 1TB/s, setting the stage for the next generation of 6G mobile networks.

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Like the year before it, the biggest stories and tech innovations in 2024 will likely revolve around artificial intelligence. But that won't be the end of it. Sandwiched in-between the latest large language model updates will be trends that will change everything from how we measure our health and perceive our world to how we compute and consume content. Here's what I'll be watching in 2024.

AI everything

Okay, let's get this out of the way. There will be a lot of AI in 2024. A LOT. A TON. Got it? Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI will continue to lead the Generative AI charge but they'll be joined by newcomers like Samsung with its Galaxy AI, Amazon with its more powerful Alexa, and whatever Apple is secretly working on and that should get a splashy launch at WWDC 2024.

Apple has a lot invested in Siri, so don't expect them to pull a 'Bing' and replace their digital assistant brand with 'Apple AI' (although that does have a nice ring to it). There will be no half-measures here, though. I think 2024 will mark the beginning of Apple's big, consumer-facing AI bet and, if they're doing it smart, it will tie into not only the best iPhone, best iPad, and best Mac, but its fastest-growing sector: services. Who knows, perhaps a subscription to Apple One will give you access to Siri Max, Apple's more powerful and versatile AI. Apple will also blend AI into its creative tools like Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro.

Granted, this is all guesswork on my part but I am certain that Apple knows by now that it can no longer stand on the sidelines in this AI race.

We'll all be using 'AI phones', which will be a lot like the phones you have now but with the added ability of reality manipulation.

In the computing space, many consumers will get their first taste of an AI PC and, to be honest, be underwhelmed. It's not enough to simply have an ultra-smart assistant on your Windows 11 (or Windows 12) PC, you have to know what to do with it. While consumers will struggle to find the value in CoPilot, businesses will quickly discover the highs and lows of AI-generated work.

Along with the rapid pace of AI development across apps, desktop interfaces, devices, computers, and more, I think we'll see our first glimpses of AGI or Artificial General Intelligence. This is AI that appears to use human-like reasoning to solve problems. It thinks like our squishy brains do. I don't know if it will be a new GPT-Mind, Gemini-Overlord, or something else. I do think that whoever is ready to show it off will first purposely trick us into believing we're engaged with a sentient human. When that happens, we've entered uncharted territory.

Put a ring on it

The big trend in wearables will be smart rings. The best smartwatches and bands aren't going anywhere, but we'll come out of CES 2024 having seen a whole bunch of new screen-free, finger-ready health, wellness, and fitness-measuring devices.

There will be more functionality and a lot more fashion. Along with smarter rings will come health-friendly earbuds that track your heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety, I think there's a lot you can tell by sticking a finger…er…earbud in your ear canal. Again, the over-arching trend in 2024 is low-profile technology that does, for instance, the same thing as your now unbanned Apple Watch Series 9, Google Pixel Watch 2, or even the smartphone in your pocket (though you'll still need that to check your stats).

There's also a decent chance that smart fabric will take another run at the wearable brass ring in 2024. Smaller and smarter sensors that don't feel like wires, metal, or physical buttons might make a smart shirt that can track your vitals more practical. At the very least, 2024 should net us some decent smart socks.

The other area of smart wearable growth will be in smart glasses. We already have a nice collection of Alexa and Meta-enabled smart lenses. Meta's Ray-Ban Smart Glasses are pushing the boundaries of on-face intelligence with the possibilities of the glasses using their onboard vision and AI to identify the world around you and even make suggestions.

That trend, for all its privacy implications, will continue in 2024. The smart glasses we're deeming to wear will get even smarter and, I bet, cheaper. More people will be wearing them and you won't even notice until your friends seem a lot smarter than normal.

The rockstar wearable: Vision Pro 

Appel's Vision Pro, expected to launch sometime in February of 2024 is the polar opposite of low-impact, low-friction wearables. They're goggles you wear on your face to either mix your reality with a computer-generated one or for full immersion in a VR world. The optics and silicon inside these nearly $4,000 headsets are Apple-level impressive.

2024 will mark the first time consumers outside of a very small set of journalists (I'm lucky enough to be among them) will try out Vision Pro in Apple stores around the country. It'll be a make-or-break moment for Apple's big bet. I think people will be bowled over but few will buy. Apple may be using the Vision Pro as a come-on for a far more affordable headset that could arrive mid-year 2024 or early 2025. That will be the Vision Pro (Vision Pro Lite?) most people buy.

What I can't quite determine is what kind of impact Apple's Spatial Computing strategy will have on the computing world at large. I don't see it changing habits in 2024 but it should get people thinking. 2025 should be interesting.

Folding and unfolding

I fully expect the foldable phone and device industry to maintain course in 2024. Samsung, Motorola, and Google are committed to the folding form factor. Samsung will roll out a Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, both of which will be thinner and lighter than their predecessors but that will offer little in the way of major innovation. Google will do the same, while Motorola shows the industry how to price foldables affordably.

I don't see Apple entering the foldable fray this coming year. There is a small chance that Apple will unveil something like 'FoldKit' at WWDC 2024 to help Apple developers prepare for a folding iPhone before the end of the year 2024 (very unlikely) or for the early part of 2025 in the form of a folding iPad mini.

Because folding phones are all based on flexible OLED screens, we might see some more creative uses of that display technology in 2024. Imagine a mashup of wearable technology and a wraparound wrist screen (or even on one of those smart rings I mentioned above). We've seen glimpses of something like this before but it's never been thin or practical. Maybe that changes this year.

Social media reckoning 

The golden age of social media is a speck in our rearview mirrors, but I don't think the age of social media is over. As I write this, Instagram's Threads vaulted to the number one app spot. Now, this has a lot to do with them opening up the service to Europe, but that act reignited interest and has reinvigorated the platform that just a few months ago some wrote off for dead.

Still, we're no longer able to view social media unless it's through the prism of free speech. That's something that, for better or worse, Elon Musk and his X platform have foisted into the actual public square. Threads has not solved the problem of how to allow free speech and ensure that it's not harm speech. It tends to lean hard into stopping a lot of speech. Over at X, anything goes and it's not a fun place to be.

2024 may be the year that regulation forces everyone to truly contend with the issue in a lasting way. I don't, by the way, mean US regulation. Here, where I live, we seem incapable of creating legislation that has any real impact. All the tech regulation is coming from the EU and because tech companies operate globally, they have to start by following those edicts and then, for expediency, apply them to their global markets. You do understand why your iPhone now has a USB-C port, right?

We'll see more of the same in 2024 and that could mean a very different, and maybe safer, if not a little more boring, social media experience.

As for who the players will be: Threads will ascend; X may hang on, but just barely; TikTok will continue its Teflon-like run against possible bans; Facebook will be less relevant than ever; and everyone will still be using Instagram. Tons of other small social media companies will rise and fall, but I will be shocked if any of them stick.

8k is just OK

I include 8K in here because I think prices for the best 8K TVs will plummet in 2024, but we still won't have any 8K content to watch on them aside from what we shoot on some of our best Android smartphones.

EV explosion

2024 should be a big year for new EV models from a lot of different car companies. The competition will help lower prices, but if we lose subsidies here in the US, that may not matter much. The good news is that the charging network is about to undergo a radical standardization which means that you won't have to worry that the EV you just bought might not find a charging station before you make it to Grandma's house.

On the innovation side, more of these EVs will become software-based, meaning they will all get significant over-the-air updates, and on a semi-regular basis. This should be good news, but then think about how your aging uncle feels when Apple updates his iPhone. Right. Not everyone will love this new mode of car ownership.

Also, speaking of EVs, we may in 2024 finally get to have a serious talk about all those cheapo EV scooters that keep catching fire in people's homes and apartments. It feels like the hoverboard battery fiasco all over again, but no one is talking about it. Yet.

Sustainablility FTW

2024 is when sustainability and eco-friendly products fully transform from lip-service into action. We will see a lot of carbon-zero products, recycled materials, old-tech reclamation projects, and many more self-repairable gadgets.

We'll have more battery-sipping hardware and a lot more solar-powered options. It will certainly make us feel good, even if all these efforts represent just a drop in the bucket for the level of societal, cultural, and consumerism change we actually need to reverse the effects of climate change.

What you won't hear in 2024 is any company say: "We're not releasing a new model in 2024 because the one you have right now is good enough and will make you more than happy enough for the next two years."

New connections

WiFi 7 should get fully ratified this year and move from a smattering of mesh network devices and a bunch of Intel Meteor Lake PCs to homes and offices, so everyone can experience 320MHz connectivity. The only thing that will slow down adoption is cost. Companies will not be anxious to upgrade their routers, and consumers who rely on cable companies for their home network connectivity hardware won't get upgrades for years.

You'll also hear a lot more about 6G, but after going through the 5G hyperbole tunnel, it's unlikely any of us will show the same level of enthusiasm. If cell companies and smartphone manufacturers are smart, they'll keep the 6G chatter on the down-low until they have something real to show us.

The Back Seat

In 2024, I don't expect to hear much about:

The Metaverse: It's not dead but as empty as the vacuum of space.

NFTs: My favorite current TikTok is of some rube bringing his NFT to Antiques Roadshow. The NFT owner says he paid $10k for the NFT of a monkey smoking a cigar. 

"Do you know how much this is worth?" asks the auctioneer.

The NFT owner replies excitedly, "No. How much?"

"$14," says the auctioneer. 

Now this is comedy.

Crypto will go through another tough year but not as tough as 2023. I just think there'll be a lot less heat around it. It may finally become respectable.

X: I mentioned the former Twitter above, but in 2024 people will be so over it and Elon Musk that it will cease to matter.

Humane AI Pin: Sorry but I don't get this and a new year will not change that.

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Hackers may be able to launch two novel types of attack by exploiting weaknesses in programmable metasurfaces – a technology that will become key in the rollout of 6G networks.

Programmable metasurfaces are electromagnetic surfaces designed to integrate into everyday objects like wallpaper or window glass and aim to optimize communication channels. 

This technology could become key to maximizing the potential of 6G in the future. Speeds are expected to be orders of magnitude faster than even some of the best 5G home broadband and wireless networks.

Metasurface attacks

But metasurfaces can also be exploited to launch attacks on wireless networks, according to researchers with Peking University, University of Sannio and Southeast University. Their paper, published in Nature Electronics, demonstrates two kinds of attacks – active and passive – with metasurfaces at the heart of both. 

"The open nature of wireless communication means that data and signals are essentially out in the open, making the risk of physical level attacks a major concern,” researchers Lianlin Li, Vincenzo Galdi, and Tie Jun Cui told Tech Xplore. 

“Our project focuses on identifying some potential risks associated with programmable metasurfaces—a key enabling technology in the envisioned 6G landscape."

In one scenario, a user can passively use a metasurface to spy on wireless interactions between two devices and interfere with the signal. By rapidly shifting the properties of a metasurface, they could disrupt the communication between a router and its user too, grinding down data transfer speeds.

An active attack, meanwhile, could see an attacker generate and send fake data to a user while eavesdropping on a connection. Exploiting metasurfaces, in this scenario, can ramp up the rate at which fake data is transmitted, while winding down the efficacy of the legitimate connection. This can all happen while the attacker remains hard to detect.

The researchers hope their work can inform the industry to incorporate protective cybersecurity measures into metasurfaces as they’re developed over the coming years, ahead of a likely 2030 launch date for 6G.

"Continuing our research, we are dedicated to shaping secure 6G networks, taking into account both the benefits and challenges associated with programmable metasurfaces," Li, Galdi, and Cui said. "Currently, we are focused on developing targeted defenses against physical-layer attacks, by exploiting strategies such as beamforming, cooperative jamming with artificial noise, index modulation, and adaptive modulation."

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City University of Hong Kong (CityU) recently developed a revolutionary meta-device capable of controlling the radiation direction and area of tunable terahertz (THz) beams. Rotating its metasurface allows the device to quickly direct 6G signal directly towards an assigned receiver, minimizing power leakage while improving privacy. It is expected to become an adjustable, directional, and highly secure device for future 6G communications.

THz-band technology holds immense promise, as it boasts ample spectrum resources to support 100 Gbps and even Tbps (terabits/second) ultrahigh speeds for wireless communications - hundreds to thousands faster than 5G's data rate. 

Exciting prospects

Unfortunately, traditional THz systems rely on heavy dielectric lenses, reflectors, and bulky reflectors, which cannot guide waves towards a fixed detector or transmitter or send them anywhere but one receiver in an isolated spot or small area; this prevents future 6G applications from being developed as they require precise positioning, concentrated signal strength, and limited coverage areas.

Two research teams from CityU, led by Professor Tsai din-Ping (Chair Professor in Electrical Engineering) and Professor Chan Chihou (Acting Provost and Director of State Key Laboratory of Terahertz and Millimeter Waves SKLTMW), have created a novel tunable device that allows full control over the propagation direction and coverage of THz beams.

"The advent of a tunable THz meta-device presents exciting prospects for 6G communications systems," said Professor Tsai. "Our meta-device allows for signal delivery to specific users or detectors and has the flexibility to adjust the propagating direction, as needed."

Rotary metasurface with thousands of micro-antennas 

The Meta-device consists of two to three rotating, thin-sheet metasurfaces (artificial and thin-sheet material of sub-wavelength thickness) that act as projectors for THz beams in a 2-D plane or 3-D space. Professor Tsai explained that the success of his device lies in precisely designing each micro antenna, and rotating them without extra space is all it takes to adjust focus and direct the beam towards its specified destination coordinates.

A research team conducted experiments to verify that both types of Varifocal Metadevices - doublet and triplet - project the THz wave's focal point into an arbitrary location within both 2D space and 3D area. This innovative design has demonstrated how a metadevice can direct 6G signals to precise locations in two and three-dimensional space.

Easy to scale up production at low cost 

The team developed 3D printing technology and high-temperature glue to fabricate metasurfaces. They are lightweight and portable, meaning they can be produced in large numbers at low costs for practical uses.

The 6G telecom system's THz-tunable meta-device has the potential to support a range of applications, such as remote sensing, wireless power transfers, zoom imaging, and wireless power sources. The research team plans on creating additional meta-devices based on THz varifocal photography in the near future.

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Via: ScienceDaily

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw spoke at an event hosted on March 16 by the PHD Chambre of Commerce and Industries. He stated that India was the country with the fastest rollout of 5G telecom Services since October 2021. In 2029, India is expected to launch its 6G infrastructure.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, 5G, and 6G in India

Vaishnaw, who currently holds the department of Railways, Communications, Electronics, and IT, stated his goal to reach 200 cities by December 2023. However, 5G service has already been launched in 397 cities, according to a Deccan Herald report. Recall that 5G services were officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 1, 2022. This was after India's 5G spectrum auctions closed in August 2022.

The minister stated that India is on track to be the global leader in 6G technology, adding that the government would develop the infrastructure for 6G networks by 2029. He didn't provide much information about the matter.

5G in India

Only two of India’s three largest telecom providers offer 5G services. Airtel was the initial service provider to implement non-standalone access technology. Jio is, however, the only Indian operator to use 700 MHz bands. It is also the only Indian operator to have deployed 5G standalone access (SA), which is a low-band spectrum.

CRISIL, a rating agency, stated in the Report that by March 2025, about a quarter of all wireless data users in India, or approximately 300 million customers, will use 5G services. This compares to 20-25 million in March, 2023.

Naveen Vardyanathan, Director of CRISIL ratings, stated that approximately 30-35 Percent of India's 150-170 Million smartphones are 5G compatible. 5G smartphone shipments will steadily increase, but 5G adoption will remain limited to 300 million users in fiscal 2025 due to the high initial cost and low value proposition.

• Here's our rundown of the best 5G mobile phones at the moment

Via: 91mobiles

On March 16, Ashwini Vaishnaw, IT and Telecom Minister of India, awarded Indian scientists, engineers, academicians, and technicians with 100 patents in 6G technology at the Bharat startup summit organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce. According to her remarks at the event, India is making significant strides with 5G technology; its rapid rollout of new networks around the world sets it apart.

Vaishnaw noted that electronics is a complex field, "Electronics is very complex, but despite the complexity, our scientists, engineers, and academicians have together acquired 100 patents in 6G."

The Minister further noted that 5G network coverage has far exceeded its goal of 200 cities by March 31, 2023, with coverage now spanning 397 towns.

World's most significant economy (to be)

He noted that India had grown to $3.5 trillion and could become the world's most significant economy if it transformed its infrastructure, business practices, and governance practices.

"When a country or economy has to reach this level, then thousands of systems are required to be changed. Governance systems, logistics systems, banking systems, and change in the own business method. This is the time when everyone should get on to this transformation journey. If we are able to do this transformation, then there is no power that can stop India from becoming a USD 30 trillion economy," Vaishnaw said, noting that India could become a $30 trillion economy if it is able to transform itself.

The minister also revealed that 99 percent of mobile phones manufactured in India were imported ten years prior.

"I remember when we used to sit in on any discussion 10 years ago. It was said mobile penetration is good. People are using it, but it cannot be made. Congress thought the process was like this. Now, a big change has come that we can make it," Vaishnaw said.

He noted that India has already begun exporting telecom products to America.

"Export of radio equipment has started from India in the last 7-8 months and that too to America," Vaishnaw said.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Jitendra Singh highlighted exploring businesses around the ocean economy.

"A whole lot of wealth is lying there-minerals, metals, living, non-living resources. You will become a world exporter of fisheries and fish food," he said.

• Here's our list of the best 5G phones at the moment

Via: The Economic Times

The United States and the United Kingdom have announced their intentions to establish a formal science collaboration agreement - a document that will include provisions for strategic collaboration on the development and deployment of 6G technology.

Over the next year, both countries intend to issue a joint statement of intent outlining their intentions with regard to developing "proposals on future tech such as 6G" and deepening cooperation in "digital technical standards."

This partnership will be part of the revised Atlantic Charter deal signed by U.S. President Joe Biden with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The original version was signed in 1941, outlining a vision for post-World War II Britain that Churchill himself signed.

Beyond 6G

Beyond 6G, the updated chart will highlight collaborations to increase supply chain resilience; promote emerging fields like artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technology; and facilitate data access and flow for scientific advancement, public security initiatives, and economic expansion.

Oliver Dowden, U.K. Digital Secretary, stated that the revised charter ushers in a new era of collaboration with "our closest ally," where they pledge to utilize technology for creating wealth and guaranteeing citizens' safety in years ahead.

Days earlier, Japan and Finland inked a collaboration agreement regarding 6G technology. The University of Oulu's 6G Flagship and Japan's Beyond 5G Promotion consortium have joined forces to "significantly contribute" towards global standardization and regulatory developments related to 6G technology.

The United States and Japan have committed a combined $4.5 million towards research, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance of secure networks as well as advanced ICT such as 5G and next-generation mobile networks. To facilitate this initiative, the U.S. National Science Foundation called upon nine major telecom and tech companies to help it create a public-private partnership program.

In June 2021, the U.S. and South Korea announced their intent to collaborate on research and development of "critical and emergent technologies." They shared a desire to create 6G and 5G networks that are transparent, open, and efficient using Open-RAN technology.

• These are the best mobile hotspots today

Vodafone has become the first UK broadband provider to offer a Wi-Fi 6E-enabled router to its customers, promising the new technology will enhance wireless internet coverage in the home.

Wi-Fi 6E represents the latest development in wireless connectivity, using high-level 6GHz spectrum to enhance speeds, increase capacity, and reduce latency. These result in multi-gigabit transmission rates that allow businesses and households to make the most of their full fibre connections.

Given most consumers use equipment supplied by their broadband provider, the arrival of the first compatible routers is significant and Vodafone hopes it will give it a technological advantage over the competition.

Vodafone Wi-Fi 6E

The ‘Vodafone Ultra Hub’ and the ‘Super Wi-Fi 6E’ are available with the operator’s ‘Vodafone Pro II’ price plans, which offer speeds of up to 910Mbps, and promise to connect up to 150 devices simultaneously.

The router will automatically switch to Vodafone’s 4G network if there is a fixed line outage and the company promises that if any customer cannot receive a signal throughout their entire home, they will be able to leave their contract without penalty.

“Vodafone Pro II sets the new standard for the UK broadband market,” said Vodafone consumer director Max Taylor. "It combines the UK’s fastest and most reliable Wi-Fi technology in the all new Vodafone Ultra Hub router with the UK’s largest full fibre footprint.”

Vodafone’s footprint claim is based on the fact that its services are powered by a combination of Openreach and CityFibre’s wholesale networks, rather than its own infrastructure.

Meanwhile BT is not a customer of CityFibre and Virgin Media O2’s gigabit network still largely comprises cable technology, although it does plan to roll out fibre to the premise (FTTP) across its entire footprint before the end of the decade.

• Here are the best fibre broadband deals around

Researchers at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) and the University of Rennes have discovered a new method that allows Wi-Fi signals to penetrate walls more effectively, a development that could transform home broadband connectivity – as well as and 6G.

Currently, Wi-Fi signals reflect off or are absorbed into solid walls, which limits their range and the quality of the transmission.

To remedy this, the researchers created a method which ‘calculates’ an anti-reflective invisible structure to a solid wall, that allows the signal to pass through without disruption.

Anti-reflective coating

“You can think of it as being similar to the anti-reflective coating on your pair of glasses,” said professor Stefan Rotter from the Institute of Theoretical Physics at TU Wien. 

"You add an extra layer to the surface of the glasses, which then causes light waves to pass better to your eyes than before – the reflection is reduced.”

In their paper, the researchers outlined a successful experiment in which microwaves were sent through a complex, disorderly maze of obstacles designed to replicate a challenging environment such as a living room. A matching anti-reflective structure was then calculated and the reflection of the signals was eliminated almost entirely.

"First, you simply have to send certain waves through the medium and measure exactly in which way these waves are reflected by the material,” added Michael Horodynski from TU Wien, who is the first author of the publication.

“We were able to show that this information can be used to calculate a corresponding compensating structure for any medium that scatters waves in a complex way, so that the combination of both media allows waves to pass through completely. The key to this is a mathematical method that we developed to calculate the exact shape of this anti-reflective layer.”

The researchers are optimistic that the calculations can create a coating that prevents any reflection at all and could even have implications for the next generation of mobile connectivity. The paper suggests wave dynamics and wave scattering will player a major role in 6G, reducing the intensity required for signals.

• Here are the best fibre broadband deals around

The UK is inviting universities and telecoms firms to apply for up to £25 million in funding to develop open and interoperable networking technologies for 5G and 6G networks.

The Future Open Networks Research Challenge is one of serval government initiatives intended to promote the UK as a leader in mobile and broadband technologies and to diversify the pool of potential equipment suppliers.

OpenRAN is a vendor-neutral approach to Radio Access Network (RAN) with standardised designs that allow a variety of firms to supply hardware and software. Operators benefit from increased innovation from a wider range of suppliers, reduced costs, and greater flexibility because the threat of vendor lock-in is reduced.

UK OpenRAN

This is especially important now that communications infrastructure is viewed as a critical component economic and social strategies, as well as national security.

Ministers hope OpenRAN development will not only drive innovation in the telco sector, but also enhance network resiliency by reducing the risk of a single point of failure and help mitigate the impact of Huawei’s ban on supplying UK operators.

Meanwhile, the development and deployment of 6G is viewed as a “trillion dollar opportunity” for the mobile industry, while technical leadership is increasingly a political priority for many governments around the world.

The competition builds on the recent establishment of the UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN), while the UK has also agreed to invest £1.6 million in a joint-funded £3.6 million competition with South Korea to drive power efficiency of OpenRAN.

“The seamless connectivity and blistering speeds of 5G and then 6G will power a tech revolution which will enrich people’s lives and fire up productivity across the economy,” said digital infrastructure minister Matt Warman.

“It’s why we’re investing millions and partnering with international allies to unleash innovation and develop new ways to make these networks more secure, resilient and less reliant on a handful of suppliers.”

• Here are the best 5G phones around

Huawei says medium-term developments in 5G technology will deliver mobile broadband speeds of up to 10Gbps within five to ten years, unlocking a new generation of industrial use cases.

The Chinese tech giant uses the term "5.5G" to describe future advances that bridge the gap between the current generation of mobile technology and 6G networks which are due to be commercially available as early as 2030.

It argues the headline speed will be achieved through wireless technologies like MIMO, through higher spectrum efficiency, and higher order modulation, and as part of a wider connectivity ecosystem that comprises advances in fibre, Passive Optical Network (PON), and Wi-Fi 7.

5.5G network vision

When combined with advances in microprocessors, storage, cloud computing and other areas of IT infrastructure, Huawei believes 5.5G will unlock a new generation of intelligent, interconnected, and scaled services for businesses by breaking free of existing technological bottlenecks.

It believes the potential for robotics, industrial applications, and massive IoT deployments is vast.

“As [digitisation] takes hold, intelligent applications will see large-scale commercialisation and computing resources will be located across multiple clouds," said David Wang, chairman of Huawei’s ICT Infrastructure Management board. “Enterprises need to make use of computing power from multiple clouds at lower costs, with greater agility and flexibility.”

To accelerate the development of ‘5.5G’, Huawei wants the industry to develop a common roadmap within the frameworks of standardisation bodies like 3GPP and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

“As we move towards the 5.5G era, all industry players need to work together to bring standards to maturity and cultivate a thriving industry,” he said.

Although Huawei has endured many well-documented struggles in the US, the UK and in other markets, it is still a highly influential player in the world of telecommunications and IT, especially when it comes to networking technology.

It hopes that by establishing a leadership position in such standardisation it can maintain this influence despite any geopolitical difficulties. This will prove especially important in 6G, where Huawei hopes to launch its first compatible products by 2030.

• Here are the best 5G phone deals if you're looking for the current speed champs

Nokia has been appointed to lead a 6G research project funded by the German government, working with 29 other industrial, startup, and academic partners to drive research and standardisations efforts.

Although the mobile industry is still developing and deploying 5G, attention has already turned to the next generation of networks that could be commercially available as early as 2030.

6G is viewed as a “trillion dollar opportunity” for the mobile industry, while technical leadership is increasingly a political priority for many governments around the world.

6G radio

‘6G-ANNA’ is backed by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF) to the tune of €38.4 million and has the stated aim of pushing the German and European 5G agendas over the next three years.

The project will also interact with other major 6G projects in Europe in the Us to ensure global standardisation. As part of the project, Nokia will focus on designing an end-to-end 6G architecture and work on three key technology areas – 6G access, network of networks, and automation and simplification.

“We are honoured to lead 6G-ANNA, the most important government-funded 6G lighthouse project in Germany,” said Peter Merz, Head of Nokia Standard. “While the first 6G networks are not expected to be commercially available before 2030, we are already laying the technical foundation with 5G-Advanced, as well as long-term innovation that will drive 6G developments.”

Although it is too early to predict the final form the 6G standard will take and which technologies will be included, there are some plausible assumptions about its capabilities and the challenges that operators, manufacturers and researchers face.

Naturally, 6G networks will deliver huge advances in speed, capacity, and low latency, while it is also expected they will be much more intelligent and reliable. This will deliver superior mobile broadband but also enable advanced services such as truly immersive extended reality (XR), high-fidelity mobile holograms and digital twins.

Central to these applications will be the ability of 6G to compensate for current constraints – such as the limited processing capability of mobile devices – and the integration of intelligence into the network.

If the most ambitious targets are met, then 6G will deliver 100 times the capacity of 5G and will be able to support 10 million devices per square kilometre.

Signals would extend 10,000 metres above the surface, enabling ‘3D coverage’ in the skies, space and underwater. All these capabilities would allow for intelligent sensing, positioning, edge computing, and high-definition imaging.

Nokia says sub-networks, XR and real-time digital twinning will be among the proof of concepts it plans to present as part of 6G-ANNA.

• Here are the best 5G phone deals

Japanese operators NTT DoCoMo and NTT have started 6G trials with equipment manufacturers Fujitsu, NEC, and Nokia with the hope that the first commercial services will be available by 2030.

Although most operators are still scratching the surface when it comes to 5G, the mobile industry’s attention has already turned to the next generation of networks.

It’s still too early to predict the final form the 6G standard will take and which technologies will be included, there are some plausible assumptions about its capabilities and the challenges that operators, manufacturers, and researchers face.

Japanese 6G

NTT says it expects 6G to deliver huge advances in speed, capacity, and low latency thanks to the use of sub-terahertz (THz) spectrum, which will expand the reach of mobile communications to the sea and the sky.

The initial focus of its work with the equipment vendors will be on how to maximise the potential of this spectrum, and how AI-based wireless transmission methods can deliver the performance reliability required.

“6G studies are progressing two or three years ahead of that of 5G,” said Naoki Tan. “From this early stage, we would like to collaborate with world-leading global vendors to proactively demonstrate breakthrough concepts and technologies and promote them to the world.”

Indoor trials will begin before the end of March 2023 and the findings will be shared with global research groups, conferences, and standardisation bodies.

If the most ambitious targets are met, then 6G will deliver 100 times the capacity of 5G and will be able to support 10 million devices per square kilometre.

Signals would extend 10,000 metres above the surface, enabling ‘3D coverage’ in the skies, space and underwater. All these capabilities would allow for intelligent sensing, positioning, edge computing, and high-definition imaging.

The development and deployment of 6G is viewed as a “trillion dollar opportunity” for the mobile industry, while technical leadership is increasingly a political priority for many governments around the world.

Research efforts are well under way in Europe, China, Japan and in North America in a bid to become a leader not just in the development of 5G applications and services, but also the technologies that will comprise global standards.

• It will be a while before you can get your hands on 6G, so why not look at the best 5G phone deals instead?

A report from the European Union (EU) says Open RAN technology has the potential to enhance the continent’s cybersecurity provisions but warns that certain conditions must be met if this promise is to be fulfilled.

The Radio Access Network (RAN) market has traditionally been dominated by a few major players who offer highly integrated cell sites comprising radio, hardware, and software. 

This approach has made it difficult for operators to mix and match innovations and has proved to be a significant barrier to entry for smaller vendors.

Open RAN adoption

OpenRAN is a vendor-neutral approach with standardised designs that allow a variety of firms to supply hardware and software. Operators believe this can increase innovation, reduce costs, and reduce dependency on the ‘big three’ of Ericsson, Huawei, and Nokia.

Several major European mobile operator groups, including Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica, TIM and Vodafone are excited by the technology, as are many governments who want to avoid overreliance on a single supplier.

The EU’s report said the greater interoperability of components would ensure a greater diversity of supplier and allow operators to pursue a multi-vendor strategy. By procuring radio equipment from many different providers, operators are insulated against potential vulnerabilities in one vendor’s equipment, helping to protect data and reduce disruption to critical infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the use of open interfaces and standards in Open RAN would increase network visibility and automation would reduce the risk of human error introducing potential weak spots.

However the report said the Open RAN concept still lacked maturity and this was a short-term risk. It said the increased complexity of networks would introduce more attack surfaces for malicious actors to stage attacks and would also increase the risk of misconfiguration. It also argued that specifications and standards were not yet mature of inherently secure by design.

To mitigate the risks, the report recommended regulatory powers that could scrutinise large deployments and assess the risk of suppliers, integrators, and service providers. It also wanted any potential deficiencies to be addressed at a standards level and for Open RAN to be include in any future EU 5G cybersecurity scheme as soon as possible.

“Our common priority and responsibility is to ensure the timely deployment of 5G networks in Europe, while ensuring they are secure,” said Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age. 

“Open RAN architectures create new opportunities in the marketplace, but this report shows they also raise important security challenges, especially in the short term. It will be important for all participants to dedicate sufficient time and attention to mitigate such challenges, so that the promises of Open RAN can be realised.”

Open radio technologies are expected to account for as much as 15% of the Radio Access Network (RAN) market by 2026, according to a report from Dell’Oro Group. The pace of adoption has impressed analysts who believe Open RAN will not just play an important role in the deployment of 5G, but also future generations such as 6G.

Vodafone  switched on the first OpenRAN mobile site in the UK that will carry live customer 5G traffic in Bath earlier this year and plans to deploy 2,700 in Wales and the South West of England by 2027. Meanwhile, Telefonica is targeting 800 sites in four markets, including the UK, by 2022 and BT is trialling Open RAN in Hull.  

• Ensure your employees can remain productive from anywhere with the best business mobile plans around

Technology has pervaded every element of business for decades, either gradually or what feels like overnight. In any case, these changes have been iterations of existing systems and designed to adapt ways of doing things. Post pandemic life, however, is bringing about a change that doesn’t just better, but fundamentally reimagines the tools and technologies at our disposal. The hyper-connectivity of society is at the core of this shift, as we are entering the all-powerful 6G era - a technology that has the potential to be almost unimaginably pervasive.

While we’re only just scratching the surface of its capabilities, how to capitalize on its projected market value of $1,773.09 billion by 2035 is on the agenda of every government and enterprise around the world. The ultimate goal of 6G is to harness its potential by 2030 to address issues, such as green and energy efficiency, digital inclusiveness, and the adaptability of sectors like health and safety. But to grasp the enormity of where 6G is heading from a business perspective, it’s important to understand where we are right now, and what the future implications of the 6G boom are for society.

Connectivity could become as plentiful as air

The progress made with 5G cannot be underestimated. It was the first to be born in the cloud, is programmable, open and has enabled IoT to advance. But the evolving demands of science and technology, combined with a human vision and need to push boundaries, are calling for more. Some experts believe 6G networks could one day enable users to achieve surfing speeds of one terabit per second on a device. 

To put that in perspective, that’s a thousand times faster than most 5G networks can provide, at a maximum of one gigabit per second. This near-instant wireless connectivity will open doors to applications, including smart devices, edge devices, and holographic communication to name a few. When connectivity becomes as unrestricted, plentiful, and unobtrusive as the air we breathe, these visions will become a reality.

Remaining in step with carbon neutrality laws

Previous generations of wireless technologies have been a core driver of network performance towards higher bandwidth, lower latency, and greater reliability. On the contrary, 6G is seen as a platform for computing innovations spanning artificial intelligence (AI), connectivity, sensors and virtualization. The sustainability challenge is at the heart of this shift, as 6G is designed to keep pace with requirements for improving global coverage, spectral efficiency, and reducing carbon footprint, all while enhancing equity and trust.

The more permanent hybrid working trend exemplifies the role the IoT has to play in this shift. Video conferencing and AR/VR collaboration solutions will contribute more to keeping carbon emissions under control, but these changes require further innovation to better support remote interaction. 6G is key to unleashing these technologies’ full potential, yet traditional means of developing these new systems will be rendered irrelevant. Not only does it require an iterative base, but one that can evolve as more data from various components is generated. This calls for a globally connected, self-improving playing field.

Preparing the grounds for sustainable 6G

The path to 6G will look very different to that of previous wireless networks. It will require a complete rearchitecting of the Internet to an Open Grid if it is to support applications like control systems for next generation applications and autonomous vehicles, to name a couple. True cross-collaboration among wireless, cloud, and networking industries will also underpin the endeavor.

The Open Grid Alliance (OGA) is an industry consortium formed to define the architecture of the next generation of the Internet, particularly at the edge. The OGA’s mission is to establish the framework for planet-scale automation and unlock inclusive, cross-sector, multi-dimensional thinking driven by the evolution of the Internet. This is a huge step towards a new world of digital equity – without any technical disparities – where thinkers are empowered to tackle seemingly unsolvable problems. Greater collaborative international research is helping visionaries to lay out the international 6G roadmap and vision, with societal, sustainability, and economic needs front of mind.

What’s next for 6G?

6G isn’t merely an upgrade of wireless, the cloud, or Internet technology. Rather, it’s a fusion of these underlying technologies to reimagine a fully automated life and form an evolution continuum. This continuum is the way people and technology evolve and how society responds. In the coming decade, 6G will introduce connected robots, drones, vehicles and more, which will generate vast volumes of digital information to help humans grow with technology in a way people want. Embracing the fact that 6G will be dealing with more complex applications is when we realize 6G isn’t just a digital revolution, but a societal one.

We've featured the best virtual event platforms.

Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2022 is now at an end, but what a week it's been.

After a virtual show in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, many of the top mobile companies returned in Barcelona to show off their latest products and services.

TechRadar Pro was live at MWC to see the the action in-person - so here's a round-up of everything we saw, covering updates and announcements in areas ranging from 5G to IoT, AI, edge computing and much more.

• For all the latest consumer and handset news, follow TechRadar's MWC 2022 blog here

Here's a breakdown of some of the biggest B2B stories from MWC this year. If you're after a more in-depth look, fear not - everything is listed below.

• GSMA confirms there will be no Russian Pavilion at MWC 2022 
• Huawei says it refuses to 'retreat from the international market'
• Qualcomm details 'world's first' Wi-Fi 7 chip
• Orange sets date for 2G and 3G switch-off for Europe
• Lenovo launches first-ever Arm-based ThinkPad
• MediaTek launches new Dimensity chips for flagship smartphones
• Arm sets its cross hairs on the server market
• Qualcomm's new AI modem promises rapid 5G speeds for your phone
• Microsoft expands Azure for Operators with hybrid cloud platform
• HMD Global is no longer just the company that makes Nokia phones

Disclaimer: Our flights and accommodation for MWC were funded by Huawei, but the organization has no editorial control over the content produced by TechRadar Pro during the show.

So what are we expecting to see at MWC 2022? The team here at TechRadar Pro have gazed into the tea leaves and come up with the following thoughts and predictions...

Desire Athow, Managing Editor, TechRadar Pro

"It's hard to believe that the chatter around 5G started to become louder at MWC 2014, eight years ago when the Samsung Galaxy S5 was launched. Since then the pandemic and the following lockdowns have changed how business is done. The conversation is now clearly focused on the transformative impact 5G can have on everything around us. It now feels right to bring MWC back to its B2B industrial roots after a decade when the headlines were dominated by new smartphones that didn't really bring much to the table after the first iterations. So, like the previous years, expect to hear a lot about IoT, AI, Edge computing, Blockchain, analytics, robotics and automation. Oh and the Metaverse of course."

Mike Moore, Deputy Editor, TechRadar Pro

"After a year away as a virtual event, it's good to see the appetite for Mobile World Congress is still there. Although not all the big vendors will be present, it should still be an exciting show for tech fans across many industries. This could be the first time we get a proper look at 6G networks, even if just as a proof of concept, as well as maybe finding out what blockchain actually does and how it can help the mobile industry. And with 5G networks now firmly set in place across the world, I'm hoping to see and hear more about some amazing use cases that make the most of superfast connections."

Joel Khalili, News & Features Editor, TechRadar Pro

"I'll be on the ground at MWC for TechRadar Pro this year, hearing first-hand from some of the most influential players in sectors ranging from hardware to networking, cloud, security and computing."

"It’s obvious that 5G will be the glue that binds all these themes together at the show, as it has been for the past few years. But specifically, early whispers would suggest we're set to hear a lot more about the opportunities that private 5G networks might create, as well as how 5G can combine with advances in AI to enable new opportunities at the edge."

Steve McCaskill, Mobile Industry Correspondent, TechRadar Pro

"Although MWC 2022 will be a much smaller event than what we had become used to, it feels reassuring that the show is a) going ahead and b) is back in its usual late February / early March timeslot." 

"For those that are in attendance, Congress will be an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and contacts and strike deals in the corridors and networking areas of the Fira. In that spirit of partnership, I expect to see more collaborations between the world of telecoms and IT as operators continue their 5G rollouts and begin to accelerate the modernization of their back-end infrastructure with open systems and cloud-native infrastructure. This convergence will be especially evident in areas like Open RAN, private wireless, and the Internet of Things (IoT). It may not seem as exciting as a new handset, but it will be just as important."

Intel unleashes new Xeon processors for the network and edge

Not every company is waiting until MWC kicks off to announce new products and services. Take Intel, which just unveiled new Xeon processors designed specifically for network and edge deployments.

The Intel Xeon D-2700 and D-1700 are built on the company’s Ice Lake platform and feature integrated AI and crypto acceleration, built-in Ethernet and various other features that cater to common network and edge workloads.

Intel told TechRadar Pro and other media that the chips deliver “breakthrough performance” across use cases such as security appliances, enterprise routers and switches, cloud storage, wireless networks, AI inference and edge servers.

For more details, read our full story.

GSMA confirms there will be no Russian Pavilion at MWC 2022

The organisers of Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona have confirmed there will be no Russian Pavilion at this year’s event and that certain companies and executives from the country will be barred from attending due to international sanctions.

The Russian Pavilion is one of several country-specific stands that usually populate the halls of MWC and are usually organised by investment bodies or government departments to showcase companies and startups from their nation.  

Industry body the GSMA said it would adhere to sanctions imposed by the US, UK, EU and others on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine but said it did not expect any major impact on the show, which is due to be staged in its traditional spring timeslot for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

For more details, read the full story here

TechRadar Pro has landed

After navigating flight cancellations, lost baggage and a sprint through Madrid train station, we have installed ourselves in Barcelona ready for MWC 2022.

The show doesn't kick off in earnest until tomorrow (February 28), but a number of companies have chosen to go live with their announcements early this year. We'll be running through a few for you today.

Dell wants to help accelerate a major mobile industry shift

As we reported last week, Dell has taken the wraps off a new range of hardware, software, and services that will make it easier for operators to build networks that take advantage of open and cloud architectures in the 5G era.

The Dell Telecom Multi-Cloud Foundation comprises hardware, orchestrator management software and support for integrated telecom platforms from the likes of Red Hat, VMware and Wind River. Dell is also adding bare metal orchestrator modules to its software, meaning operators can deploy and lifecycle manage the entire cloud foundation stack.

“Communications service providers are changing how they build and deploy open networks, so they can develop innovative services that capture the edge opportunity,” said Dennis Hoffman, senior vice president and general manager, Dell Technologies Telecom Systems Business. 

“Our expanded telecom solutions portfolio gives network operators the speed and simplicity they need to quickly modernise their networks and monetise new services.”

The shift to a cloud-native model will make networks more scalable and cost-effective, allowing mobile operators to rapidly roll out new services and reduce costs. Meanwhile technologies such as Open RAN will enable a shift away from highly integrated, proprietary equipment and allow operators to mix and match innovations from multiple vendors and use commoditized hardware.

For more details, read our full story here.

HPE launches new private 5G offering

HPE has announced a new private 5G offering designed to bring the benefits of high-speed, high-bandwidth private networking to industry and enterprise.

The new service is said to enable "seamless interworking" across private 5G and Wi-Fi, thereby helping business capitalize on the wide area coverage offered by 5G and the cost benefits of Wi-Fi in indoor environments.

HPE says its private 5G solution is pre-integrated with radio access capabilities from a number of vendors, which means it can be rolled out rapidly and in a flexible manner.

“Data growth is creating countless new opportunities across many industries, but superfast, stable and secure connectivity is essential to enable these digital experiences,” said Tom Craig, VP and General Manager, HPE Communications Technology Group.

“With our leadership in both enterprise and cellular connectivity, HPE is the perfect partner to help customers deploy private networks that are future proofed for today’s data-first reality. Together, HPE’s private 5G solution and Aruba Wi-Fi technology promises a complete private networking solution that helps to optimize the working environment, as well as giving telcos new opportunities to grow their enterprise business.”

Nokia to deploy machine learning to tackle 5G complexity

Nokia has lifted the lid on plans to deploy machine learning (ML) techniques to address 5G network complexity.

The company's new Intelligent RAN Operations solution is said to enable operators to improve network quality and efficiency, while also cutting costs and emissions.

To make this possible, the service uses ML to automate a selection of common network management tasks, which improves the ability to identify and rectify network issues promptly. Nokia says human error is also eliminated from the equation, thereby eliminating another source of risk.

"Nokia’s Intelligent RAN Operations helps operators deliver 5G services to their customers in the most efficient and effective way possible," said Mark Atkinson, SVP Radio Access Networks PLM at Nokia.

"Through intelligent machine learning, it boosts network performance, quality, and the subscriber experience whilst reducing power consumption and operational costs.”

SSDs could squeeze hard drives out of the data center sooner than you think

Solid state drives (SSDs) could drive traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) to the brink of extinction in the data center as early as 2025, Huawei predicts.

Speaking to TechRadar Pro in Barcelona ahead of MWC 2022, the company’s VP of Data Storage, Fupeng Zhang, explained that the falling price and superior performance of flash storage are squeezing HDDs from the market.

Zhang says the process will be a gradual one, but anticipates that SSDs will account for as much as 80% of non-archival data center storage by 2025, up from roughly 30% today.

For more details, read our full story here. 

We're in attendance this evening at Huawei's pre-MWC showcase in Barcelona, hearing from a range of executives from across the telecoms space. Huawei kicked off the show with a presentation from Ryan Ding, Executive Director of the Board.

Huawei: 5G is rapidly gathering steam, but we need to focus on sustainability

The global 5G rollout is quickly gathering pace, paving the way for new consumer experiences and improved productivity across various industries, says Huawei.

According to Ding, the 5G ecosystem has developed rapidly since rollout first began, driving “remarkable commercial success” for early adopters.

Speaking at an event hosted by Huawei ahead of MWC 2022, Ding said that upwards of 200 mobile operators have now deployed commercial 5G networks, serving more than 700 million end users.

However, he also took the opportunity to call for a tighter focus on green networking technologies, which Ding claims will be “key to the sustainable growth of the digital economy”.

For more details, read our full story here.

TechRadar Pro is live at the Fira

We're here at the Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, covering all the latest announcements coming out of MWC 2022. The first day is set to be a busy one, so strap in.

Dispatch from the exhibition floor

As ever, there are plenty of curiosities on the exhibition floor at MWC 2022, from a 5G-powered barman to a VR theme park ride. All the big names are competing for the title of most outlandish demo station.

Huawei unveils first-ever all-in-one PC

Huawei has been busy at MWC 2022 already, unveiling a whole host of new mobile and computing devices at it looks to rebound from a difficult few years.

Among the new launches is the Huawei MateStation X, the company's first all-in-one PC. Built around a 28.2in 4K touchscreen, the PC is powered by an AMD Ryzen 5000H Series processor, 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, along with Wi-Fi 6 as standard.

Huawei says the MateStation X offers utlimate customization when it comes to posing and tuning, making it ideal for home workers. Thanks to the company's multi-screen collaboration service, it can also link seamlessly with other Huawei smartphones and tablets, meaning you can click and drag files or other items across devices, giving easy access to the data you need.

There's no news on availability, release dates or price just yet, but Huawei says it'll provide updates soon.

This picture requires no caption

Credit to Bobby Hellard from our sister publication, IT Pro, for this picture that captures our imagination. Even if Barcelona is the capital of the mobile industry world right now, it doesn't prevent some from blaming 5G for a lot of things. For the low-down on what 5G is and how safe it is, check out our page.

Huawei unveils its first printer and it's powered by HarmonyOS

The PixLab X1 is Huawei's first printer and it turns out to be a bit of a surprise. Running on Huawei's own HarmonyOS operating system, the PixLab X1 is an all in one printer, offering scanning and copying functions alongside just printing.  

As a laser rather than inkjet unit, this could be a great SMB printer, although we don't know whether it offers color printing or just monochrome. Huawei says that it will be the industry's first printer to feature a toner cartridge designed for easy pigment replacement, so a nudge towards the growing environmental-friendly market.

GSMA reveals optimistic predictions for a 5G future

To mark the opening of the show, MWC organisers the GSMA has revealed its latest Global Mobile Economy Report, examining the current state of the worldwide market.

Unsurprisingly, it's good news when it comes to 5G, with the report claiming that the total number of 5G connections is now expected to reach one billion in 2022 as usage grows rapidly around the world. 

This is largely thanks to widespread investment in 5G technology across the world, with the global coverage gap shrinking from a third of the population to just 6%.

The report predicts that by the end of 2025, 5G will account for around a quarter of all mobile connections, and more than two in five people worldwide will live within reach of a 5G network. Last year, mobile technologies and services generated $4.5 trillion of economic value, equating to 5% of global GDP - which is set to grow to $5 trillion in 2025.

However, the GSMA adds that there is still work to be done, as it estimates 3.2 billion people, or 41% of the global population, are still not using mobile internet.

Bullitt Group unveils its first rugged 5G hotspot and UK MVNO

Ruggedised devices are growing increasingly popular as more industries embrace handheld and mobile products, but wireless hotspots have so far failed to get the tough upgrade

Now, Cat Phones maker Bullitt Group has revealed the Cat Q10, its first rugged 5G hotspot designed for use in some of the toughest conditions around. Able to survive extremes of hot and cold temperatures, the Cat Q10 features an IP68 dust and water-proof rating, and can survive a drop onto steel from six feet/1.8 metres.

The company says the Cat Q10 will offer ultra-fast 5G connectivity far ahead of 4G or LTE wherever there is good cellular network coverage, with up to 32 devices able to connect to a single hotspot. It also sports a swappable 5300mAh battery that offers up to 10 hours of usage from a single charge, and also offers fast recharging.

There's no concrete details on pricing just yet, but the Cat Q10 will go on sale in Q2 2022, the company says.

In a slightly puzzling move, the company also announced it has partnered with Transatel and EE to launch an MVNO for use in the UK market. Bullitt Connect will offer voice, text and data services to both consumer and industrial customers, including the likes of the gigi economy or logistics market.

And the award for the fastest charger goes to..

 2022 is shaping up to be the year when manufacturers battle out to find out who can charge a smartphone the fastest. Realme announced that its GT NEO3 can reach a staggering 150W with a cable with future models reaching 200W.  Just a few hours later, archrival Oppo released its very own 150W charging technology with plans to pus it to 240W, one capable of charging a 4500mAh battery in nine minutes, that's 540 seconds.

Honor on the other hand unveiled its HONOR Magic4 handset that can be charged wirelessly at 100W. In comparison, Tesla’s Level 1 charging or “trickle charging” delivers 1400W to an electric vehicle. Mind boggling. 

5G on wheels

Imagine you work at HTC VIVE and you’ve been tasked to come up with the name of a new product, a portable private 5G solution. Do you go for a boring one or a cryptic one? Someone chose “Reign Foundation” because, well, why not (Reign is also the name of a HTC subsidiary). It’s essentially a rugged suitcase that can be carried around and can be set-up in less than half an hour, making it ideal for location based services. 

Qualcomm is bringing faster 5G to more devices

Qualcomm took the opportunity to launch a host of new products and partnerships at MWC this year - too many to summarize effectively here.

The thread that connects all the announcements together, however, is an ambition to bring 5G support to more devices (and device types) and optimize performance to the greatest possible extent.

For the specifics, read on below. And we'll be back tomorrow for more action from MWC 2022.

• Qualcomm's new AI modem promises rapid 5G speeds
• Qualcomm is bringing 5G to your next laptop and PC
• There's a new way to tell if your device has best-in-class connectivity
• Wireless earbuds are about to get even better for gaming
• Qualcomm details 'world's first' Wi-Fi 7 chip

Huawei and AWS take to the stage

Kicking of day two here at MWC is a keynote session featuring AWS CEO Adam Selipsky and Huawei's Rotating Chairman Guo Ping.

Selipsky dedicated his speech to the opportunities arising from the interplay between cloud, AI and 5G technologies.

Specifically, he highlighted the ability to deliver a new generation of apps that demand rapid speeds and low latency, in sectors ranging from autonomous vehicles to entertainment, robotics and industry.

Ping, meanwhile, used the session as a platform to reiterate his company's refusal to back down from the international stage, despite sanctions affecting its ability to operate in US and European markets.

"To see the future, we need to look up, above the politics, partisanship and rhetoric,” said Ping.

“Many people ask whether Huawei will retreat from the international market. But the answer continues to be, no. We are committed to helping customers who choose us to achieve the greatest business success.”

For more, read out full story here.

Meet the ThinkPad X13s

Lenovo has launched a new always-connected laptop for business users, the ThinkPad X13s.

The X13s will be the first laptop to feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 compute platform, which delivers mmWave 5G connectivity and a whopping 28-hour battery life for workers on on move. 

“ThinkPad X13s promises to end power anxiety and delight users with AI accelerated collaboration experiences and hyper-speed connectivity wherever they happen to be,” said Jerry Paradise, VP Global Commercial Product Portfolio, Lenovo PC and Smart Devices.

The laptop will hit the market in May, starting at €1399.

Orange to switch off 2G and 3G across Europe by 2030

Orange will switch off its 2G and 3G networks in Europe by the end of 2030, paving the way for network modernization and spectrum refarming that will boost more advanced and efficient 4G and 5G services.

The Paris-based telecoms group is Europe’s fourth largest mobile operator, with divisions in Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain. It will adopt a two-stage approach, with the timeline for the shutdowns depending on each country’s circumstances.

In France, 3G coverage is greater than 2G, meaning the latter will be decommissioned first in 2025, before 3G is turned off in 2028. In other territories, 3G will be switched off by 2025 and then 2G no later than 2030.

For more details, read our full story here.

Meta says modern networks are incapable of supporting the metaverse

Meta has revealed it is working closely with mobile operators in an effort to prepare networks for the so-called metaverse.

The company says the metaverse will demand "vast enhancements" in network capacity and a significant shift in the way networks are architected, due to the scale and complexity of the experiences it will enable, connecting virtual and physical worlds.

"Today, we’re at the start of the next transition as we build for the metaverse. But creating a true sense of presence in virtual worlds delivered to smart glasses and VR headsets will require massive advances in connectivity. Bigger than any of the step changes we’ve seen before. Things like remote rendering over edge compute cloud and wide-scale immersive video streaming will take entirely new types of networks," said Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO.

"We need to create connectivity infrastructure that can evolve as fast as technology does. So we’ll continue to work with partners that share this vision for the next computing platform – supporting breakthroughs in this ecosystem over the next decade to make sure people around the world can participate in the metaverse we’re all building."

MediaTek is coming for Qualcomm's smartphone crown

MediaTek has announced two new premium chipsets designed for flagship 5G mobile devices: the Dimensity 8000 and Dimensity 8100.

Launched at MWC 2022, the new SoCs add an additional tier to the company’s existing portfolio, filling a performance gap between the recently launched Dimensity 9000 and the less performant Dimensity 1300.

The Dimensity 8000 series chips bundle four Arm Cortex-A78 cores, an Arm Mali-G610 MC6 GPU and MediaTek’s latest AI processing unit, a combination the company says delivers “the most power-efficient performance in its class”.

We spoke to MediaTek executives at MWC to hear more. Check out our full story.

Hands on with the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s: a delicious temptation

We've been lucky enough to get a quick look at the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s, the first ever Arm-based ThinkPad.

You can read our full Lenovo ThinkPad X13s hands-on here, but it's far to say we're impressed - it's a beautifully made, light and thin device that promises great power and battery life.

Arm is gunning for the server market

Arm is expecting to make significant headway in the server processor market in the coming years as its investment in the space begins to bear fruit, the company’s SVP of Infrastructure has said.

In conversation with TechRadar Pro at MWC 2022, Chris Bergey explained that although Arm’s heritage is not tied closely to infrastructure, the company’s instruction set architectures (ISAs) are increasingly well-suited as the base for high-performance processors for cloud and other use cases.

“A lot of startups have attempted to do Arm in the data center over the years. At the beginning, the value proposition early on was about low power, but data center operators really care about performance. It’s about packing as much compute as possible into a rack,” he said.

“With Arm, cloud providers are finding they can get more compute, because they can put more cores in a power envelope. And we’re just at the tip of the iceberg.”

For more details, read our full story.

An Android smartphone, but more secure

We headed over to the French Tech hub at MWC to check out the Sikur One, a new security-focused business smartphone.

The phone is manufactured by Brazilian company Multilaser, and Sikur provides a modified and slimmed-down version of Android, which utilizes Zero Trust principles to offer an additional layer of protection.

The Sikur One can also be locked or wiped remotely, in the event it's lost or stolen, minimizing the chances that sensitive corporate data ends up in the wrong hands.

You can't buy the phone from Sikur direct, only via resellers, but the company says it expects to device to sell for roughly $500. For more details, take a look at our original news story.

Smartphone market bounced back in 2021

To coincide with MWC, Gartner has released its latest report on the performance of the smartphone market.

According to the analyst house, smartphone sales rose by 6% in 2021, rebounding from the 12% drop off in 2020 caused by pandemic lockdowns.

Gartner says the arrival of 5G support in mid-tier smartphones was a significant driver of upgrade purchases, with Chinese brand Xaomi enjoying the greatest level of growth (29%).

However, the outlook isn't entirely positive; the global chip shortage and ongoing supply chain disruptions are expected to limit market growth.

Fujitsu 5G vRAN innovation could cut emissions in half

Fujitsu has announced it will launch new vRAN technology that the company claims could slash base station emissions by 50%, in addition to offering end users a higher quality of service.

The innovation makes use of artificial intelligence to optimize the allocation of compute resources, thereby enabling a high level of performance with low power consumption.

This month, the new vRAN technology will be made available to network operators for testing, before rolling out globally at a later date.

GSMA celebrates a "vibrant" MWC

With MWC 2022 now drawing to a close, organizers the GSMA have released a celebratory alert hailing a positive show.

Around 60,000 people from almost 200 countries are thought to have attended the show (with Around 500,000 unique virtual and daily viewers on MWC22 and partner platforms), with more than 1,900 companies showing off their latest products and updates.

"Nothing beats MWC in person, and it was exciting to bring our community – which is so passionate about connectivity – back together to discuss the opportunities that lie ahead," said GSMA CEO John Hoffman. 

"On behalf of the GSMA, I would like to thank all of our attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and partners who came together to make MWC22 so productive, safe, and successful. I also want to thank Barcelona City Council, Generalitat de Catalunya, the Ministry of Economy and Digital Transformation, Fira de Barcelona, Tourism de Barcelona (the Host City Parties), the L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Mobile World Capital, and the people of Catalonia and Spain. Your support is unwavering, and your creativity, hospitality, and perseverance continually inspire us.”

And that's a wrap on MWC 2022! Thank you for staying with us throughout what has been a fantastic few days of new services and launches.

We'll be revisiting some of the biggest stories over the next few days and weeks, so stay tuned to TechRadar Pro for all the latest B2B and B2C news and features.

Rakuten Symphony, the mobile network technology and service arm of the Japanese giant, is establishing new operations in the UK, France, and Germany in a bid to secure more of the European telco market and encourage the adoption of Open RAN.

The division was created earlier this year with the intention of more widely commercialising technologies and expertise cultivated at Japanese operator Rakuten Mobile.

During the 3G era, Japan was sometimes referred to as the ‘Galapagos Islands’ of mobile because of its unique handset and network ecosystem. However, the advent of 5G, demand for more interoperable, innovative technologies, and a desire for a greater diversity of suppliers means the present an opportunity for Japanese vendors Rakuten and NEC.

Open RAN adoption

Rakuten Symphony hopes the three new locations will allow it to get closer to operator and business customers, collaborate with other vendors in the space, and attract more talent that will improve its overall offering for the industry.

“Europe is a mature market for mobile network infrastructure and yet mobile network operators and governments are incredibly open to the opportunities Open RAN technologies can bring to the region,” said Tareq Amin, CEO of Rakuten Symphony.

“We’re expanding our operations across Europe to strengthen our research and development capabilities and our commitment to the region. We will collaborate closely with European operators, vendors, governments and academic institutions to contribute to developing the region’s Open RAN technologies, while working to realize our vision of providing a future-proof, cost-effective, cloud-based connectivity platform to transform the delivery of telecommunications services by mobile network operators.”

The UK operation will be based in London and will focus on the development of 4G and 5G Open RAN software and hardware. OpenRAN is a vendor-neutral approach to Radio Access Network (RAN) with standardised designs that allow a variety of firms to supply hardware and software.

This means operators benefit from increased innovation from a wider range of suppliers, reduced costs, and greater flexibility because the threat of vendor lock-in is reduced. The company hopes the investment in R&D will put it in a better position to help the UK government meet its target of 35% of all UK mobile traffic carried by Open RAN by the end of the decade.   

The French site will be based in Paris, supported by an existing technology centre in Montpellier, and the German unit will call Dusseldorf home.

Meanwhile, Rakuten Symphony has also revealed a new suite of software, based on innovations powering Rakuten Mobile, that make it easier for operators to plan, design, build and operate networks.

• If you're still on 4G then you should check out the best best 5G phones available today 

A working group designed to promote North American leadership in the nascent field of 6G networks has published a roadmap for the industry, outlining six ‘audacious’ goals that can make its ambition a reality.

The development and deployment of 6G is viewed as a “trillion dollar opportunity” for the mobile industry, while technical leadership is increasingly a political priority for many governments around the world.

Research efforts are well under way in Europe, China, Japan and in North America in a bid to become a leader not just in the development of 5G applications and services, but also the technologies that will comprise global standards.

6G leadership in North America 

With mobile connectivity increasingly important to society and the economy, any influence on global standards is an increasingly viewed as desirable from a geopolitical standpoint.

The ‘Next G Alliance’ is an industry initiative comprising more than 80 organisations and 600 experts from industry, government and academia established last year and the ‘Roadmap to 6G’ is the first significant result of its actives.

The publication describes the steps that all stakeholders must take to give North America the best chance of technical leadership, along with a timeline that will promote coordinated research, commercialisation, and adoption strategies.

Key priorities for the group include the advancement of trust, security, and resilience, an enhanced digital world experience, cost efficiencies across the entire mobile infrastructure, distributed cloud and communications systems, an AI native future network and sustainability.

“This report will ensure North America proactively aligns all critical sectors vital to 6G success to create a foundation for North American global leadership,” said Susan Miller, president and CEO of ATIS, the industry body behind the Next G Alliance. “Beyond its technical contributions, the Roadmap shows how 6G can benefit society and industries in a variety of sectors – as well as how North America will become an epicenter of innovation-driven economic growth in a new era of wireless.”

Although it is too early to predict the final form the 6G standard will take and which technologies will be included, there are some plausible assumptions about its capabilities and the challenges that operators, manufacturers and researchers face.

Naturally, 6G networks will deliver huge advances in speed, capacity, and low latency, while it is also expected they will be much more intelligent and reliable. This will deliver superior mobile broadband but also enable advanced services such as truly immersive extended reality (XR), high-fidelity mobile holograms and digital twins.

Central to these applications will be the ability of 6G to compensate for current constraints – such as the limited processing capability of mobile devices – and the integration of intelligence into the network.

If the most ambitious targets are met, then 6G will deliver 100 times the capacity of 5G and will be able to support 10 million devices per square kilometre.

Signals would extend 10,000 metres above the surface, enabling ‘3D coverage’ in the skies, space and underwater. All these capabilities would allow for intelligent sensing, positioning, edge computing, and high-definition imaging.

• It will be a while before you can get your hands on 6G, so why not look at the best 5G phone deals instead?

Development of what will become 6G networks is gathering pace, with a new Finnish consortium looking to speed up development of next generation radio technology and a Japanese-US alliance seeking to lead the standardisation of technology that will be essential for unmanned applications.

The development and deployment of 6G is viewed as a “trillion dollar opportunity” for the mobile industry, while technical leadership is increasingly a political priority for many governments around the world.

Although it is too early to predict the final form the 6G standard will take and which technologies will be included, there are some plausible assumptions about its capabilities and the challenges that operators, manufacturers and researchers face.

6G radio

Naturally, 6G networks will deliver huge advances in speed, capacity, and low latency, while it is also expected they will be much more intelligent and reliable. This will deliver superior mobile broadband but also enable advanced services such as truly immersive extended reality (XR), high-fidelity mobile holograms and digital twins.

Central to these applications will be the ability of 6G to compensate for current constraints – such as the limited processing capability of mobile devices – and the integration of intelligence into the network.

If the most ambitious targets are met, then 6G will deliver 100 times the capacity of 5G and will be able to support 10 million devices per square kilometre.

Signals would extend 10,000 metres above the surface, enabling ‘3D coverage’ in the skies, space and underwater. All these capabilities would allow for intelligent sensing, positioning, edge computing, and high-definition imaging.

However, one of the biggest challenges is likely to be spectrum, with 6G using even higher frequencies in order to maximise the capacity gains, including at a 1THz and sub-THz level. It is radio technology and spectrum that is the focus of a new project in Finland.

The country has a long history in the development of Radio Access Network (RAN) technologies and wants to maintain this legacy as the industry shifts from 5G to 6G. The RF Sampo project comprises nine companies and three research organisations, including Nokia, Bittium, and the University of Oulu.

6G standardization

“Finland has a strong tradition in radio technologies which is in the core of wireless systems,” said Nokia’s Saila Tammelin, who serves as the industrial lead for the project. “RF Sampo targets strengthening Finland´s competitiveness in radio technologies while moving beyond industrial 5G and toward 6G.

“RF Sampo includes the development of radio subsystems, components, and algorithms. It also addresses the development of the ways of working that enable taking innovations into use faster, for example, by more efficient simulation and modelling methodologies. Solving challenges of more and more complex wireless systems calls for close R&D collaboration between companies and research organizations - to enlarge and renew the knowledge base and innovation capacity in Finland,”

RF Sampo will focus on making 6G radio technology as efficient as possible, harnessing the power of new frequency bands and antenna technologies, and create designs that will reduce 6G complexity. Specifically, it will investigate new RF technology for both 5G and 6G, including antenna structures, integrated circuits, new RF architectures, and algorithms.

Separately, Japan and the US will work together to commercialise technology for chip scale atomic clocks that will be essential to control and locate unmanned vehicles and drones in real time in a similar way to GPS. The hope is that the technology will be developed by 2025, and efforts will include a range of industries including the auto, mobile and timepiece sectors.

Given China will have a much greater influence over the development of 6G than previous generations of mobile connectivity Japan and the US hope to maintain leadership in standardisation.

• It will be a while before you can get your hands on 6G, so why not look at the best 5G phone deals instead?

Open radio technologies are expected to account for as much as 15% of the Radio Access Network (RAN) market by 2026, according to a new report from Dell’Oro Group.

The pace of adoption has impressed analysts who believe Open RAN will not just play an important role in the deployment of 5G, but also future generations such as 6G.

While the report notes healthy traction in multiple regions, it says that Asia-Pacific has dominated the initial phase of development and will continue to play a leading role over the next five years.

Open RAN adoption

“The Open RAN movement has come a long way in just a few years, surprising both proponents and skeptics,” said Stefan Pongratz, Vice President and analyst with the Dell’Oro Group.

“While challenging comparisons will weigh a bit on the market over the short-term, it is unlikely that these divergences between the greenfields and the brownfields will leave lasting imprints on the long-term prospects.”

RAN describes technology such as antennas that transmit data between end user devices such as smartphones and the cell site. It is a market that has bene traditionally dominated by a few major players who offer highly integrated cell sites comprising radio, hardware, and software.

This approach has made it difficult for operators to mix and match innovations and has proved to be a significant barrier to entry for smaller vendors.

OpenRAN is a vendor-neutral approach with standardised designs that allow a variety of firms to supply hardware and software.

Several major telecom groups and governments have thrown their weight behind OpenRAN, believing it can increase innovation, reduce costs and reduce dependency on the ‘big three’ of Ericsson, Huawei, and Nokia.

Major industry initiatives are underway to commercialise and test Open RAN technologies, with interoperability a key priority for leading operators.

Vodafone recently switched on the first OpenRAN mobile site in the UK that will carry live customer 5G traffic in Bath and plans to deploy 2,700 in Wales and the South West of England by 2027. Meanwhile, Telefonica is targeting 800 sites in four markets, including the UK, by 2022 and BT is trialling Open RAN in Hull.  

• If you want to benefit from EE's rollout, then take a peek at the best EE mobile deals

Vodafone will retire its 3G network next year and refarm the spectrum to improve the speed and coverage of its 4G and 5G services.

The company's 3G network launched 17 years ago and has coexisted with Vodafone’s 4G and 5G infrastructure in order to provide additional coverage in areas that LTE can’t reach and to customers whose handsets are not compatible with modern standards.

However, as 4G has become increasingly available, the need for 3G and its inferior speeds and capacity is significantly reduced. Most mobile data in developed markets is transmitted via 4G, while Voice over LTE (VoLTE) technology means such networks can also handle the majority of calls.

Vodafone 3G switch off 

Vodafone says just 4% of all customer data is carried by its 3G network compared to 30% five years ago. Meanwhile demand for 4G data and the ongoing rollout of 5G means the 3G service is using valuable resources that could be better deployed elsewhere.

As more modern network technologies, 4G and 5G use spectrum more efficiently. This means they are faster and offer greater capacity, while they also consume less energy – a critical factor as the telecoms sector looks to become as environmentally friendly as possible. Indeed, 5G is ten times more energy efficient than aging 3G equipment which can be taken out of the network

“We’re building the UK’s most reliable mobile network, and focusing on the technologies that best connect our customers and have the least impact on the environment,” said Vodafone CEO Ahmed Essam. “3G has connected so many customers over the last 17 years, but the future is 4G and 5G. We’re going to be focused on giving customers a faster and more reliable mobile experience, and minimising our impact on the environment by taking away a layer of our network that uses inefficient equipment.

3G campaign

Vodafone’s 3G switch off will be in phases and the company will launch a communication campaign to ensure that any customer still reliant on a 3G device is aware of the retirement. Although only a small part of the company's susbcriber base falls into this category, these customers are typically less tech-savvy than those using more modern handsets.

Accordingly, Vodafone is working with third parties and charity The Good Things Foundation to ensure the most vulnerable in society aren’t disconnected.

“We start communicating to customers about this today – our goal is for everyone to stay connected, and we’ll be doing everything we can to make sure that’s the case," added Essam.

"During the campaign, we’ll be asking customers not just to make sure that their own phone supports 4G and 4G Calling, but also to check in on friends and family. There are people who aren’t confident with technology, and we want to ensure everyone is getting the help that they need, so that no one is left behind.”

In any case, should 3G be withdrawn in a certain area then Vodafone’s 2G service would still be available so customers can still make and receive calls and texts.

This safety net is one of the reasons that 2G will outlast 3G in most markets, along with the fact that 2G’s wide coverage and comparatively lower power requirements that make it an ideal standard for mass IoT deployments that require long battery life and minimal bandwidth, such as smart metres. Some elderly and rural users also require 2G which also offers a more universal roaming service.

All four mobile operators have agreed to switch off their 2G and 3G services by 2033 so spectrum can be used to support more advanced networking standards, including 6G. EE was the first UK operator to confirm its plans to switch off its 3G network last year.

• If you're still on 3G then you should check out the best best 5G phones available today 

The UK’s 2G and 3G networks will be switched off by 2033 as part of plans to promote the development and rollout of 5G services and to diversify the telecommunications supply chain.

The government says the sunsetting of the aging networks will accelerate the UK’s 5G ambitions and pave the way for future 6G services that deliver a range of benefits for individuals, businesses and society.

The majority of mobile data is now transmitted via 4G, while Voice over LTE (VoLTE) technology means such networks can also handle the majority of calls. Meanwhile the number of people reliant on 2G and 3G is relatively low. 

UK 2G and 3G

Agreements with all four operators have been reached, although it is probable that 3G will be retired before the cut off date as the wider availability of 4G in rural areas reduces the need to maintain inferior infrastructure.

Switching off 3G allows operators to reuse valuable spectrum for 4G and 5G networks which are more complementary technologies. Operators can also retire impractical, power-hungry legacy equipment to reduce costs.

It is almost certain that 2G will outlast 3G because its wide coverage and comparatively lower power requirements that make it an ideal standard for mass IoT deployments that require long battery life and minimal bandwidth, such as smart metres. Some elderly and rural users also require 2G which also offers a more universal roaming service.

“5G technology is already revolutionising people’s lives and businesses - connecting people across the UK with faster mobile data and making businesses more productive,” said culture secretary Nadine Dorries.

“Today we are announcing a further £50 million to put the UK at the forefront of mobile connectivity and to make sure our telecoms networks are safe and secure now and in the future.”

“We can only do this through stronger international collaboration and I will be meeting with our US allies today as we strengthen our ties on technology.”

OpenRAN development

One particular barrier to 5G rollout is the ban on Huawei equipment, reducing the number of suppliers for operators to choose from. This situation could in theory increase costs and reduce innovation.

The government has made it a priority to diversify the supply chain by inviting new entrants like NEC and Samsung, while encouraging the development of OpenRAN technologies. OpenRAN is a vendor-neutral approach to Radio Access Network (RAN) with standardised designs that allow a variety of firms to supply hardware and software.

This means operators benefit from increased innovation from a wider range of suppliers, reduced costs, and greater flexibility because the threat of vendor lock-in is reduced.

Ministers now want OpenRAN kit to carry 35% of UK mobile traffic by the end of the decade and is releasing £51 million in funding to boost the ecosystem. Winners of a government competition will receive £36 million, while a new testing and compatibility site will receive a £15 million investment.

“Mobile UK and its members welcome the government’s statement,” added Hamish McLeod, director if industry body Mobile UK. “Switching off 2G and 3G will enable operators to transition fully to more energy efficient and high capacity networks to the benefit of customers. We are also working with government and wider industry to support the maturity of new RAN solutions to open up further opportunities for innovation and new services in the future.”

• If you're still on 3G then you should check out the best best 5G phones available today 

Ofcom is asking for views on how to maximise the long-term value of the Terahertz (THz) spectrum, extremely high frequencies that could provide huge bandwidth for applications of the future and enable 6G networks.

The Terahertz band sits at the very top of the spectrum range between 100GHz and 3THz and is currently only used for limited scientific applications, such as weather forecasting.

However, the significant capacity of the spectrum, coupled with advances in technology, mean it could be harnessed for mobile networks in the future, enabling terabit speeds. Terahertz spectrum will also be attractive for 6G networks.

Terahertz spectrum 

Ofcom believes Terahertz will enable terabit-speed networks will provide a boost to applications like robotics, autonomous vehicles, holograms, and general mobile broadband services. It adds it is starting its work now to ensure the benefits of the frequencies can be realised as soon as the market demands.

“To help realise the full benefits of Terahertz, we intend to ensure our approach to managing spectrum is as flexible and efficient as possible – both to enable existing services to grow as well as supporting innovative new ones,” it said, asking for individuals and organisations to share their views.

“The unique properties and capabilities of new technologies mean the rules and approaches to spectrum authorisation that apply at lower frequencies need not dictate the way we approach the authorisation and use of Terahertz spectrum. Greater collaboration and cooperation between the different types of emerging spectrum users in these bands will be essential in underpinning an alternative approach.”

The development of 6G is still at a very early stage and it is still unclear what network technologies will form a commercial standard and what use cases will emerge. There is a consensus, however, that the addition of integrated intelligence and new spectrum will deliver superior speeds, capacity and latency.

These characteristics, it is argued, will overcome current technological limitations - such as the limited processing capability of mobile devices – to enable truly immersive extended reality (XR), high-fidelity mobile hologram and digital twin applications.

• If you're looking for a new operator then our best SIM-only deals is a good place to start

Huawei says it hopes to launch its first 6G-compatible products by 2030, with the company confident that its current struggles will not prevent it from assuming a key role in future generations of mobile connectivity.

Eric Xu, Huawei rotating chairman, wrote in a book preface published on the Chinese firm’s Xinsheng online community that it had started its 6G research efforts back in 2017.

Huawei played a key role in the development and commercialisation of 5G but has faced a series of setbacks in recent years. US sanctions have limited its access to key technologies, while it has been excluded from the rollout of 5G networks in several other countries – including the UK.

• These are the best business SIM-only deals around today
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6G potential

Xu admitted that geopolitical uncertainties continue to hang over the development of 6G, especially when it comes to working in standards groups. However, he believes that the global importance of mobile networks, coupled with the more complicated nature of 6G means there will be a desire for cooperation.

Specifically, Huawei believes 6G will rely on several key adjacent technologies, including cloud, blockchain and big data, and therefore it will be able to offer key expertise in these fields.

Although it is too early predict the final form the 6G standard will take and which technologies will be included, there are some plausible assumptions about its capabilities and the challenges that operators, manufacturers and researchers face.

Naturally, 6G networks will deliver huge advances in speed, capacity, and low latency, while it is also expected they will be much more intelligent and reliable. This will deliver superior mobile broadband but also enable advanced services such as truly immersive extended reality (XR), high-fidelity mobile holograms and digital twins.

Central to these applications will be the ability of 6G to compensate for current constraints – such as the limited processing capability of mobile devices – and the integration of intelligence into the network.

"Huawei will define 5.5G and research 6G at the same time in the next few years, and it is a test of the whole industry's imagination and creativity whether 6G can surpass [5G]," Xu is quoted as saying.

"Whether the industries can achieve satisfying results around 2030 largely depends on such factors as if the process of defining 6G is open enough, whether the participants are pluralistic, and if the communication is thorough enough.”

6G has been described as a “trillion dollar” opportunity for the industry and the race to be a leader in the still-nascent field has already begun. China has already started its research and development activities, while the €251 million 6Genesis programme is already well underway in Northern Finland. The US also has 6G ambitions.

• Here are the best 5G phones around today

Via Global Times

Executives from AT&T and Ericsson have been elected to lead a US industry body’s effort to establish North America as a leader in 6G networks.

The immediate focus in the mobile industry is the rollout of 5G phone technology but the race to be the leader in the even more nascent field of 6G has already begun.

China has already started its research and development activities, while the €251 million 6Genesis programme is already well underway in Northern Finland.

• These are the best business SIM-only deals around today
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• Here are the best business mobile phone deals

6G potential

The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS)’s Next G Alliance is a group of more than 45 telco and ICT companies working on 5G and 6G technologies from the development stage through to commercialisation.

Its members span the entire spectrum of the mobile, telecoms and IT industries and include device manufacturers, mobile operators, and infrastructure vendors.

AT&T CTO Andre Feutsch has been named chair of the Next G Alliance’s executive governing body, the Full Member Group, while Jan Soderstrom, Ericsson’s head of technology office in Silicon Valley.

Both will serve a two-year term, while executives from AT&T, Nokia and VMware have been appointed to the Next G Alliance steering group.

In addition, the organisation has launched a 6G Roadmap Working Group to create blueprint that will act as foundation for a common vision and goals for 6G leadership. The roadmap will influence research , technology development, service and application enablers, policies and government actions, and market priorities. A separate ‘Green G’ working group will evaluate the environmental impact of mobile networks and see how greater power efficiency and sustainability can be achieved.

“While innovation frequently occurs in response to market needs, long-term technology leadership takes strategic foresight and critical stakeholders committed to reaching the desired future state,” said ATIS President Susan Miller. “With its leadership set and work on both sustainability and the 6G Roadmap launched, the Next G Alliance is well positioned to create a national vision for the next decade.”

Although it is too early predict the final form the 6G standard will take and which technologies will be included, there are some plausible assumptions about its capabilities and the challenges that operators, manufacturers and researchers face.

Naturally, 6G networks will deliver huge advances in speed, capacity, and low latency, while it is also expected they will be much more intelligent and reliable. This will deliver superior mobile broadband but also enable advanced services such as truly immersive extended reality (XR), high-fidelity mobile holograms and digital twins.

Central to these applications will be the ability of 6G to compensate for current constraints – such as the limited processing capability of mobile devices – and the integration of intelligence into the network.

If the most ambitious targets are met, then 6G will offer 100 times the capacity of 5G and will be able to support 10 million devices per square kilometre. Terabit speeds will in theory be possible.

Signals would extend 10,000 metres above the surface, enabling ‘3D coverage’ in the skies, space and underwater. All these capabilities would allow for intelligent sensing, positioning, edge computing, and high-definition imaging.

• Here are the best 5G phones around today

The development and deployment of 6G networking technology represents a “trillion dollar opportunity” for the mobile industry according to a new study.

The immediate focus in the mobile industry is the rollout of 5G phone technology but the race to be the leader in the even more nascent field of 6G has already begun.

China has already started its research and development activities, while the €251 million 6Genesis programme is already well underway in Northern Finland. The US also has 6G ambitions.

• These are the best business SIM-only deals around today
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• Here are the best business mobile phone deals

6G potential

IDTechEX believes the market for new applications, devices, and network infrastructure (such as smart surfaces and satellites) to support 6G will drive business across the industry.

Although it is too early predict the final form the 6G standard will take and which technologies will be included, there are some plausible assumptions about its capabilities and the challenges that operators, manufacturers and researchers face.

Naturally, 6G networks will deliver huge advances in speed, capacity, and low latency, while it is also expected they will be much more intelligent and reliable. This will deliver superior mobile broadband but also enable advanced services such as truly immersive extended reality (XR), high-fidelity mobile holograms and digital twins.

Central to these applications will be the ability of 6G to compensate for current constraints – such as the limited processing capability of mobile devices – and the integration of intelligence into the network.

IDTechEX says that if the most ambitious targets are met, then 6G will offer 100 times the capacity of 5G and will be able to support 10 million devices per square kilometre.

Signals would extend 10,000 metres above the surface, enabling ‘3D coverage’ in the skies, space and underwater. All these capabilities would allow for intelligent sensing, positioning, edge computing, and high-definition imaging.

However, one of the biggest challenges is likely to be spectrum. 6G will use even higher frequencies in order to maximise the capacity gains, but it is probably that sub-THz airwaves will be used in the initial phase because they are far more familiar.

Experiments with 1THz will continue but such frequencies are narrow, weak and are stopped by almost any object. A more likely use for this spectrum will likely be local and satellite connections, with smart surfaces used to reflect signals.

“That upper, ultimate THz frequency is unlikely to be higher than 1THz because, just after that, atmospheric attenuation of the beam jumps up to severe levels, and components also become extremely challenging,” said the analysts.

Other predictions claim 6G will use THz spectrum to deliver terabit speeds and anticipate the first commercial networks will be launched by 2030. But just as 5G will take some time to usurp 4G, 6G will unlikely become the dominant standard until later in the decade.  

• Here are the best 5G phones around today

With 5G speeds a winning feature of the iPhone 12 series, it seems as though Apple is already turning its attention to the future – by developing 6G connectivity. 

According to a job listing spotted by Bloomberg, the tech giant is looking to hire a slew of engineers to start working on burgeoning 6G wireless networking technology. 

The listing suggests Apple is seeking hires in its Silicon Valley and San Diego offices, and it reads, "You will have the unique and rewarding opportunity to craft next generation wireless technology that will have a deep impact on future Apple products [...] In this role you will be at the center of a cutting-edge research group responsible for creating next generation disruptive radio access technologies over the next decade."

• What will 6G be? 
• Check out our iPhone 12 review
• What might Apple call its next iPhone?  

The news follows Apple’s recent commitment to developing its own cellular modems for iPhone, iPad and other devices in-house, a move designed to reduce the company’s reliance on supply partners like Qualcomm.

It seems a logical step, then, that Apple would now pursue the development of 6G technology given its increased independent research capabilities. 

It’s also worth noting that the company recently joined a 6G industry group called the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS), suggesting a commitment to working with others to bring the technology to market. 

Apple pie in the sky?

Of course, with 5G only made widely available as recently as 2019, 6G connectivity is still a long, long way off. 

Industry experts don’t expect to see the technology roll out for another decade, and it’s a fact Apple acknowledges in the job listing, but it’s clear that the tech behemoth wants to be ahead of the pack when it comes to developing 6G.

In 2020, China successfully launched what it described as "the world's first 6G satellite" into space to test the technology, which gives you an idea of the development stage 6G is at right now. 

Notably, Apple’s approach to cracking the next generation of cellular technology somewhat bucks the trend of history. Typically, it’s not among the first smartphone companies to adopt new communication standards – it was relatively late to the 3G, 4G/LTE and 5G parties – so it’ll be interesting to watch the next few years with a close eye to see which other mobile giants join the race.

If you’re interested to learn more about what 6G connectivity might entail, we’ve put together a handy round-up of everything we expect to see from the network speed of the future.

• Want a cheap 5G phone? The new Samsung A32 5G could answer that call 

Via Apple Insider 

Every ten years or so, a new generation of mobile technology comes along with promises of being far more advanced than the one that preceded it. The arrival of 2G came with text messages, the launch of 3G unlocked data services, and the arrival of 4G made the mobile Internet a practical reality.

5G is no different, serving up gigabit speeds, greater capacity, and ultra-low latency. This means it will be easier to stream video, get a signal in busy locations and indoors, and entirely new business and consumer applications will be possible.

The first 5G networks went live in the UK in 2019 and one billion people will have access globally by the end of 2020. Within five years, four in ten connections will be 5G.

Development of 5G is ongoing, but for some attention has already turned to the next next big thing. Unsurprisingly, that's expected to be called 6G and we've put together the below guide to introduce you to what we expect it to be.

What is 6G?

6G – as the name suggests – is the sixth generation of mobile connectivity. It’s still unclear what final form 6G will take until it is standardized, but it isn’t too early to speculate which technologies will be included and which characteristics it will have.

What is apparent is that 5G will benefit from the backend changes made to mobile networks to power 5G. Operators have densified radio networks with more antennas so its easier to get a signal, especially indoors, while cloud technologies and edge computing mean data can be processed closer to users – even at a mast level so latency is much lower.

6G will build on this foundation and introduce new capabilities far beyond the limits of 5G.

How is 6G different from 5G?

The most obvious difference is speed. 6G will use more advanced radio equipment and a greater volume and diversity of airwaves than 5G, including the use of Extreme High Frequency (EHF) spectrum that delivers ultra-high speeds and huge capacity over short distances.

Whereas 4G speeds were talked about in megabit terms, and 5G will push the gigabit barrier, 6G will deliver theoretical terabit speeds. Most users will get in excess of 100Gbps, but this is still a transformational bitrate.

In terms of coverage, 6G could become ubiquitous. 6G satellite technology and intelligent surfaces capable of reflecting electromagnetic signals will deliver low latency, multi-gigabit connectivity to parts of the world where it has been too difficult or too expensive to reach with conventional mobile networks. Remote parts of the globe, the skies, and the oceans could all be connected.

While 5G already harnesses AI for optimization, dynamic resource allocation, and for data processing, extreme-low latency of less than one millisecond and distributed architecture means 6G will be able to deliver ubiquitous, integrated intelligence. Indeed, Japanese operator NTT DoCoMo believes 6G will allow for AI that is analogous to the human brain.

6G will also be more efficient than its predecessor and consume less power. Energy efficiency is critical for a more sustainable mobile industry because of the anticipated growth in data generation.

What will 6G be able to do?

Faster speeds, greater capacity, and lower latency will free applications from the constraints of local processing power, connect more devices to the network, and blur the lines between the physical, human and digital worlds. Existing services will be transformed but 6G could be the network that finally delivers use cases from the realms of science fiction.

Terabit speeds will inevitably make Netflix a more enjoyable experience and FaceTime calls less painful, but ubiquitous coverage and more connected ‘things’ will change the way we interact with technology – and potentially the world itself.

6G will enable location and context-aware digital services, as well as sensory experiences such as truly immersive extended reality (XR) and high-fidelity holograms. Instead of Zoom calls, it will be possible to speak to people in real time in VR, using wearable sensors, so users have the physical sensation of being in the same room together.

The Internet of Things (IoT) will expand and become more advanced, providing applications with more data and more capabilities. Real-time AI could transform robotics, while the extension of 6G coverage to the seas and skies could aid connected maritime, aviation and even space applications.

And because 6G is so much more power efficient than 5G, it may be even possible for low-power IoT devices to be charged over the network – transforming the economics of mass deployments and aiding sustainability.

Who is developing 6G?

Given the rise of mobile connectivity as a geopolitical battleground, it’s no surprise that governments around the world are keen for their countries to be leaders in the nascent field of 6G development.

There are a number of privately and publicly funded research projects taking place around the world, one of the most notable of which is the €251m ‘6Genesis’ project in Oulu, Northern Finland – a location that has long been associated with the developments of mobile networks.

China’s research efforts have already seen it launch a 6G satellite into space, while Samsung and Nokia are leading efforts in South Korea and Europe. The UK’s principal project is at the 6G Innovation Centre (6GIC) at the University of Surrey.

When will 6G be available?

Development is still at a very early stage and a final release will depend on the pace of rollout and a consensus on the technologies that eventually comprise the final standard.

Samsung believes commercial 6G services could be available as early as 2028, but it could be 2030 before the first site is switched on. Don't expect to see that small 6G logo appear on your phone for a long time.

Will 6G replace 5G?

Just as 4G and 5G will coexist for some time (they share the same core network), it is likely that 6G and 5G will work together for some time. Development of 5G technology still has a long way to go and the 6GIC believes 5G has a 20-year lifespan, meaning it is likely to be around until at least 2040.

• Everything you need to know about 5G

Nokia is to lead the European Union’s flagship 6G research programme, promising to unite the human, physical, and digital worlds with wireless connectivity.

Development of 6G networks is still at an early stage, but the general consensus is that the standard will deliver speeds of 1Tbps and latency of less than 100 microseconds – making it 50 times faster than 5G with just a tenth of the latency.

But this is the bare minimum expected of a new mobile technology. The real advances will be the integration of intelligence and the use of new types of spectrum, such as the terahertz band.

A number of private and public research projects are currently underway across Europe, Asia and the US and it is thought the first commercial 6G services could be in operation as early as 2028.

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University of Surrey 6G

The Hexa-X project is funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 resarch and innovation initative and seeks to develop key 6G technologies and use cases. Participants include telecoms equipment manufacturers, operators, industry, and the wider IT ecosystem.

Nokia, which has played a role in the development of every previous mobile generation, has started its work on 6G too. It is working with the 6Genesis project in its native Finland for example. With Hexa-X, Nokia has identified six ‘research challenges’ that must be solved in order to lay the technical foundation for 6G.

These include the creation of intelligent networks that can drive the automation necessary to process the huge amounts of data that 6G will generate, the ability to combine multiple network technologies to create a seamless experience, and sustainability through reduced energy consumption.

Also of great importance, it says, is global service coverage, network security and trustworthiness, and the capability to offer ‘extreme’ experiences driven by imperceptible latencies, seemingly infinite capacity and ultrafast bitrates.

“Even though there is still a lot of innovation in 5G with the release of new standards, we are already exploring 6G in our research lab,” said Peter Vetter, Head of Access and Devices Research, Nokia Bell Labs.

“In the 6G era we will see applications that will not only connect humans with machines but also connect humans with the digital world. Such a secure and private connection can be used for preventive healthcare or even to create a 6G network with a sixth sense that intuitively understands our intentions, making our interactions with the physical world more effective and anticipating our needs, thereby improving our productivity.”

• Here are the best 5G phones around today

The University of Surrey says its research into 6G technology will be driven by a “distinctive vision” that focus on ubiquitous coverage and how cellular networks can bring together the physical and virtual worlds.

The 5G innovation Centre (5GIC) was established at the university’s Guildford campus back in 2013, allowing academics, operators, vendors to work on candidate technologies and use cases for the 5G standard.

Since then, it has established itself as one of the main centres of 5G research in Britain.

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University of Surrey 6G

“Since its inception in 2013, the 5G Innovation Centre has epitomised the University of Surrey’s ethos to collaborate with industry on societal and industry challenges, to enable innovations that change lives,” said Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey.

“Today, we affirm our mission on this journey to the digital future with ‘6GIC’, our vision and research strategy for the next ten years. Now is the time for the University, industry and the UK to begin the journey together towards 6G in collaboration with our international partners.”

Resources will still be made available to 5G development, but now that such networks are a commercial reality, the university has turned its attention towards the next generation of connectivity.

The first 6G networks are expected to deliver speed, capacity, and latency improvements over 5G, but this is the bare minimum expected of a new generation of mobile technology. The real advances will be the integration of intelligence and the use of new types of spectrum, such as the terahertz band. The first commercial 6G networks are expected to go live in 2030.

The 6GIC says its vision is one that supports transformative services that address major societal challenges such as climate change, pandemic control, and economic growth. There is also a desire to improve the quality and capability of networks without simply resorting to the addition of new spectrum.

A 6GIC whitepaper outlines two key research themes. The first is ‘ambient information’, a fusion of the physical and virtual worlds powered by sensors, geolocation and wireless technologies that augments human capabilities.

The second is ubiquitous coverage. With 5G seemingly solving the issues of capacity and latency for the time being, the 6GIC will work to see how intelligent surfaces and satellite technology can bring coverage to indoor environments and hard to reach areas.

“What our industry members are telling us is that the traditional approach of ever-higher data rates in ever-higher spectrum band is running out of road as a mobile service,” said Professor Rahim Tafazolli, Director of the 6GIC.

“An entirely new approach is needed that mobilises exciting new services that address the great global challenges.”

• Here are the best 5G phones around today

China has launched what it claims is the world’s first 6G satellite into space in order to test new spectrum bands that will be used to power future networks.

The development of 6G is still at a very early stage and it is still unclear what network technologies will form a commercial standard and what use cases will emerge. This means the satellite will contain very little ‘6G technology’.

There is a consensus however that the addition of integrated intelligence and new spectrum will deliver superior speeds, capacity, and latency.

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6G satellites

These characteristics, it is argued, will overcome current technological limitations - such as the limited processing capability of mobile devices – to enable truly immersive extended reality (XR), high-fidelity mobile hologram and digital twin applications.

However, it is widely expected that 6G networks will be powered by terahertz (THz) spectrum that will deliver significant advances in speed and capacity. indeed, it is anticipated that 6G will up to 100 times faster than 5G.

It is this spectrum that will form the focus of these satellite experiments. Specifically, the satellite will test the performance of terahertz spectrum in space, believing the new frequencies will enable lossless transmission and long-distance communications with lower power consumption.

The hope is that 6G powered by terahertz spectrum could provide a major enhancement to satellite internet services that have traditionally been constrained by speed, capacity, and latency issues.

There are several research initiatives around the world focusing on 6G development. In addition to China, the €251 million 6Genesis programme is already well underway in Northern Finland. The US also has 6G ambitions and Samsung is keen to expand its influence into the world of networks.

It is thought a standard could be finalised by 2028 with commercial launches starting in 2030.

• Here are the best 5G phones around today

Samsung believes commercial 6G networks could be in operation as early as 2028, delivering speeds of 1Tbps and latency of less than 100 microseconds – making it 50 times faster than 5G with just a tenth of the latency.

The immediate focus in the mobile industry is the rollout of 5G technology but the race to be the leader in the even more nascent field of 6G has already begun. China has already started its research and development activities, while the €251 million 6Genesis programme is already well underway in Northern Finland. The US also has 6G ambitions.

Samsung is a minor, but growing, player in telecoms equipment and hopes demand for 5G kit will see its share of the market rise even further. By the time 6G arrives, it could be an even major competitor to the likes of Ericsson, Huawei and Nokia.

• Researchers start work on 6G
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• What is 5G?  Everything you need to know

Samsung 6G

To support these efforts, Samsung has expanded its telecommunication research team and formed a new group called the Advanced Communications Research Center in the Korean capital of Seoul.

Its new whitepaper, The Next Hyper-Connected Experience for All, outlines the technical and societal trends that could have an impact on the development of the 6G standards.

It hypothesises that the 6G will enable advanced services such as truly immersive extended reality (XR), high-fidelity mobile hologram and digital twins. Central to this applications will the ability of 6G to compensate for current constraints – such as the limited processing capability of mobile devices – and the integration of intelligence into the network.

The publication also suggests candidate technologies that could form 6G. This includes terahertz (THz) spectrum, new antenna technology and optimal network architecture. Samsung suggests that the standard could be finalised in 2028, paving the way for the first networks, with mass commercialisation occurring in 2030.

“While 5G commercialization is still in its initial stage, it’s never too early to start preparing for 6G because it typically takes around 10 years from the start of research to commercialization of a new generation of communications technology,” explained Sunghyun Choi, Head of the Advanced Communications Research Center.

“We’ve already launched the research and development of 6G technologies by building upon the experience and ability we have accumulated from working on multiple generations of communications technology, including 5G. Going forward, we are committed to leading the standardization of 6G in collaboration with various stakeholders across industry, academia and government fields.”

•  5G phone deals - the best prices and contracts

An American telecoms industry association has called for immediate collaboration between government, academic institutions and industry do that the US can be a leader in 6G communications.

5G might still be in its infancy but the race to be a leader in the even more nascent field of 6G has already begun. 

China has already started its research and development activities, while the €251 million 6Genesis programme is already well underway in Northern Finland.

• Researchers start work on 6G
• China kicks off 6G efforts
• What is 5G?  Everything you need to know

The race to 6G

The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) says that if the US wants to keep up and build on the momentum of 5G, then its own research efforts have to begin soon.

“While innovation can be triggered in reaction to current market needs, technology leadership at a national level requires an early commitment and development that addresses U.S. needs as well as a common vision and set of objectives,” said Susan Miller, president and CEO of ATIS.

The technologies that will eventually comprise 6G are some way off being defined, but the general consensus is that the standard will build on the capacity and latency improvements of 5G.

Leaders of the 6Genesis project told TechRadar Pro in 2018 that 6G would make greater use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), accelerate the architectural shifts that have taken place in the transition from 4G and deliver speeds of 1Tbps.

“Industry and government have started collaboration to create the 6G future, but this work must be amplified now to position the U.S. as the leader in telehealth, smart agriculture, distance learning, digitized commerce and artificial intelligence,” added Mike Nawrocki, head of technology and solutions at ATIS.

• 5G phone deals - the best prices and contracts in May 2020

Days after commercial 5G services were switched on in the country, China has officially started its research and development into 6G, marking the start of the next stage of a cellular technology arms race with the US.

Several government ministries and research institutes have established a national technology research and development group, according to a publication from the country’s Ministry of Science and Technology.

The government had previously stated it hoped to kickstart 6G development before the end of 2018 and expected commercial networks to be ready before the end of the 2020s. Whereas 4G services launched relatively late in China, the country has become a leader in 5G.

• Get ready for 6G
• China wants to launch 6G by 2030
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China 6G development

It already has the world’s largest 5G network, while Huawei is a major player in the telecoms equipment market. However telecoms has emerged as a source of tension between Beijing and Washington, with Huawei frozen out of the US market on national security grounds.

US President Donald Trump has said he wants America to take the lead with 6G, adamant he doesn’t want the country to be left behind. However no specific measures have been enacted and there is still no consensus on what from 6G networks will take.

Samsung is already working on 6G in South Korea, while the €251 million 6Genesis project in Northern Finland has also also begun research.

Leaders of the project told TechRadar Pro last year that 6G would fulfil the capacity and latency promise of 5G by delivering the architectural shifts required and through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is also thought that 6G will deliver speeds of up to 1Tbps.

• Here are the best deals for Huawei mobile phones in November 2019 
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5G networks might still only be available in a few countries, but Samsung is already working on 6G.

Samsung is a minor, but growing, player in telecoms equipment and hopes demand for 5G kit will see its share of the market rise even further. By the time 6G arrives, it could be an even major competitor to the likes of Ericsson, Huawei and Nokia.

To support these efforts, the company has expanded its telecommunication research team and formed a new group called the Advanced Communications Research Center in the Korean capital of Seoul.

• Researchers start work on 6G
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Samsung 6G

“The current team on telecommunications technology standards has been expanded to start leading research on the 6G network,” a Samsung spokesperson told The Korea Herald.

What will eventually constitute 6G has still yet to be debated, never mind realised. In Northern Finland, the €251 million 6Genesis project will research the wireless communications technologies that will eventually comprise 5G.

Leaders of the project told TechRadar Pro earlier this year that 6G would fulfil the capacity and latency promise of 5G by delivering the architectural shifts required and through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is also thought that 6G will deliver speeds of up to 1Tbps.

South Korea launched the world’s first commercial 5G mobile network earlier this year, while AT&T and Verizon have switched on 5G services in the US. EE turned on the UK’s first 5G network last week, with coverage available in the busiest parts of six major cities in the UK.

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Via: Korea Herald

The race for leadership in the 5G world might still be in its early stages, but China is already making moves to become a pioneer in 6G networks.

Su Xin, head of a 5G technology working group at China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said Beijing started work on 6G earlier this year but does not expect commercial networks to be ready before the end of the next decade.

He told the China Securities Journal that 6G would be the ‘G to end all Gs’ because he expected several different technologies to support wireless communications and therefore future advances would be iterative rather than generational.

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China 6G

However, it’s worth noting that similar claims were made about 5G.

“5G has three application scenarios: large bandwidth, low latency, and wide connection – I think 6G can achieve better application in all three scenarios,” he is quoted as saying, suggesting that speeds could reach up to 1Tbps in the real world.

China is expected to be one of the leaders in 5G networks thanks to strong government support, the presence of major vendors like Huawei, and because mobile operators need the additional capacity to cope with explosive demand for mobile data.

What will eventually constitute 6G has still yet to be debated, never mind realised. In Northern Finland, the €251 million 6Genesis project will research the wireless communications technologies that will eventually comprise 5G.

Leaders of the project told TechRadar Pro earlier this year that 6G would fulfil the capacity and latency promise of 5G by delivering the architectural shifts required and through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

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