In 2019, the fifth-gen mobile network, 5G, was launched. This technology allowed almost everyone to connect with each other, including machines and devices. First demonstrated during the Winter Olympics at Pyeongchang, South Korea back in 2018, this innovation set the new world standard for wireless communication.
Even though the technology is still in its early stage, Samsung already has visions to replace 5G, expounded in a published white paper entitled “The Next Hyper-Connected Experience for All“.
The white paper covered topics involving 6G, such as technical aspects, requirements, candidate technology, and the potential timetable. Samsung aims to connect everyone which brought them to create the Advanced Communications Research Center. The cutting-edge research and development sector within Samsung Electronics’ SET Business, Samsung Research, founded the research center last May 2019.
Bringing connectivity to the next step
The Head of the Advanced Communications Research Center, Sunghyun Choi, has explained the importance of taking communications technology to the next step. He mentioned that “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.”
While 5G focused on performance, Samsung stated that 6G adds two more requirements which are on the architectural and trustworthiness of the service. The 6G architectural requirements would resolve issues born from mobile devices’ limited computation capability, and even implementing AI. Trustworthiness involves security and privacy concerns that may arise.
To ensure these, 6G will require a peak data rate of 1,000 Gpgs per second or 50 times the peak data rate of 5G. Aside from that, it also has to reach an air latency of 100 microseconds, which is one-tenth of the predecessor’s latency.
Choi adds that Samsung will use their gained experience in creating generations of communication technology to build the anticipated 6G network. He further states that they are “committed to leading the standardization of 6G in collaboration with various stakeholders across industry, academia, and government fields.”
Samsung envisions 6G to include advanced services like extended reality (XR), mobile hologram, and digital replica. It also mentions developing a system that would consider the possibility of embedding AI into units that make up wireless networks and services. This means that extensive amounts of data regarding billions of connected machines and humans would have to be collected to be fully utilized by 6G.
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One social impact 6G is expected to have is its potential contribution to the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals. Since hyper-connectivity is one of the main selling points of 6G, the technology is expected to improve the access to important information and social services without the hindrance of location and time. For now, the expected date for completion and commercialization of 6G is in 2028, with mass commercialization by 2030.
Photo credits: The images used are owned by Samsung and have been provided for press usage.
Editorial notice: The feature image displays 5G technology as there are no visuals yet for the 6G infrastructure of the future.
