6G: The next wireless revolution poised to change the world

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• December 26, 2022

6G is the next generation of wireless internet connectivity that is forecasted to push the world into a new level of hyperreality, erasing boundaries between the physical and digital worlds.

6G context

Although many countries are still in the early stages of deploying and utilizing 5G (fifth-generation) internet, industries have already begun focusing on 6G (sixth-generation) development. This technology is predicted to bring about even more significant changes and advances. 6G speeds are expected to reach as much as one terabyte per second (TB/s), which is 100 times faster than 5G; however, the technology is still in the development stage, with no official standards or timeline set for its rollout. Early forecasts estimate that 6G will be deployed worldwide by the 2030s. 

Support for this technology is also coming from the highest levels, as investments in 6G are being viewed as a geopolitical advantage, affecting the economy and national security. For example, the US and Japan have agreed to co-invest USD $4.5 billion in "beyond 5G" communication technologies. These investments include the research, development, testing, and deploying of sophisticated information and communications networks. Meanwhile, the 2021-25 five-year plan in China included strategies to rapidly develop and deploy 6G. 

Disruptive impact

Researchers calculate that 6G can make way for terahertz frequencies, which will open up enormous bandwidth for wireless applications, meaning data can be transferred within a second. Specifically, 6G is being developed with three main goals: to support data rates of up to 1TB/s, reduce latency to 0.1 milliseconds, and enable massive machine-type communication (mMTC). These enhancements are especially important for technologies of the future, which are often more interconnected and require faster connections to function effectively. For example, autonomous vehicles and the infrastructures that support them will be able to communicate seamlessly, significantly reducing accidents. 

This level of computing power has limitless potential. For example, 6G would enable the widespread consumer use and adoption of digital twins or volumetric holograms straight from personal devices like smartphones and augmented reality glasses—this would make it possible to explore virtual worlds without limits on space or time. Employees can project themselves inside digital workplaces using robots for physical tasks. Supercomputers can potentially expand their computing power to finally mimic human levels of reasoning and insight. AI servers can remotely pilot wireless drones, and computers can autonomously direct building construction miles away from the construction sites. 

Applications for 6G

Example applications for 6G may include:

• Earlier access to human brain-class computational power from anywhere, which could lead to several exciting possibilities, such as more advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) applications.


• Powerful extended reality (XR, a combination of VR, augmented reality, and mixed reality) headsets that can create a truly immersive experience, particularly in the developing Metaverse.


• The seamless functionality of wearable earplugs that instantly translate foreign languages into their user's native language, thereby facilitating improved cross-cultural communication.


• Incentives for governments to localize and fast-track production of supporting technologies, such as semiconductors, as well as supporting telecommunications infrastructure nationwide.


• Increased competition between advanced nations for highly skilled, global talent who can boost research and development in this space.

Questions to comment on

• What are the other technological possibilities with 6G?


• How do you think governments can support the faster deployment of 6G?