6G Test Network
Engineers from Beijing University of Post and Telecommunications have made a groundbreaking achievement in the field of telecommunications with the successful establishment of a field test network capable of supporting 6G transmission.
This innovative network uses existing 4G infrastructure, marking a significant leap in the development of 6G technology. According to a report by Xinhua News Agency following a conference in the Chinese capital, the experimental 6G network has been made possible through a novel approach known as semantic communication.
This technique has reportedly led to a tenfold improvement in key communication metrics such as capacity, coverage, and efficiency.
Xinhua has referred to this 6G field test network as a “world first,” suggesting that it could significantly lower the barriers to 6G research. This advancement is expected to accelerate the verification and testing of essential 6G technologies, bringing the world closer to the widespread commercial use of this next-generation communication system.
The integration of AI into this network is a key component of its transformative potential. Professor Zhang Ping, the leader of the research team, explained during the conference that AI will play a critical role in enhancing the perception and semantic understanding of communication.
He also noted that the widespread communication capabilities of 6G would extend the reach of AI across various sectors.
The commercial rollout of 6G services is anticipated around 2030, with efforts to finalize 6G standards likely to conclude by the end of this decade.
6G networks are expected to operate at higher frequencies than current 5G systems, providing much higher data capacity and significantly reduced latency.
As several countries race to develop 6G technology, China is positioning itself to launch its first 6G services by 2030, with 6G standards possibly being finalized as early as next year.
Meanwhile, Japan, through collaborations with companies like NTT Docomo and Sony, plans to develop key 6G technologies by 2025, with commercial “beyond 5G” services expected to follow by 2030.
In the United States, a coalition of nine countries has outlined a set of guiding principles for 6G networks, focusing on national security, efficient spectrum use, and privacy protection, all of which are expected to shape the global landscape for 6G technology.
