Initial Tests
A consortium of companies in Japan has created the world's first high-speed 6G wireless device, capable of transmitting data at a blistering 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) over a distance of more than 300 feet (90 meters) - up to 20 times faster than 5G.
Japanese researchers have, for the first time, transmitted data at 100 gigabits per second in the high-frequency terahertz band over a distance of 300 feet.
This data transfer rate is equivalent to wirelessly transmitting five HD movies every second and is up to 500 times faster than the average 5G speed experienced in the U.S. on T-Mobile.
Breakthrough Results
The results of their new tests, which were recently announced, showed that the consortium's wireless device transmitted data at 100 Gbps indoors in the 100 gigahertz (GHz) band and outdoors in the 300 GHz band - which falls just below infrared light on the electromagnetic spectrum. The tests were conducted over a distance of 300 feet, the consortium said in a statement.
5G vs. 6G
For context, 5G, which was deployed in 2019, is the current most advanced wireless communication standard and is utilized by nearly all new smartphones. The average speed for T-Mobile in the U.S. is around 204.9 megabits per second (Mbps), while the theoretical peak speed for 5G is at least 10 Gbps.
Researchers are already working towards the sixth-generation of the standard, however, called 6G, with infrastructure development underway ahead of a projected rollout in the early 2030s, according to the mobile industry association GSMA.
The key difference between 5G and 6G lies in the range of the electromagnetic spectrum they operate in. Operating at higher frequencies generally means much faster speeds.
Frequency Ranges and Challenges
5G signals are typically transmitted in frequencies below 6 GHz, extending up to frequencies around 40 GHz - known as "millimeter wave."
6G, on the other hand, is expected to use even higher frequency bands, known as the "sub-THz" bands, which range from 100 GHz to 300 GHz. Transmitting in this region offers the advantage of even faster speeds but has the disadvantage of being more susceptible to environmental interference, making the signal more likely to be blocked - especially indoors.
6G's Potential Applications
While the jump from 4G to 5G opened the door to much greater media consumption, the jump from 5G to 6G could enable new technologies like volumetric communications and smoother virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality experiences.
However, because 6G relies on much higher frequency bands, entirely new infrastructure will be needed to transmit and amplify the signal, while smartphones or VR headsets will require 6G-compatible antennas.
Previous Tests
In previous tests, researchers have achieved even faster 6G speeds but over much shorter distances. For example, a different team of researchers in Japan demonstrated a world-record 6G speed of 240 Gbps, but only over a distance of 66 feet (20 meters).
Summary
A consortium of companies in Japan has created the world's first high-speed 6G wireless device, capable of transmitting data at a blistering 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) over a distance of more than 300 feet (90 meters) - up to 20 times faster than 5G. Tests were conducted on both indoor and outdoor frequencies and offer up to 500 times the speed of current 5G technology in the United States. 6G is still in its developmental stages, but these results are promising for the future of wireless communication.